River’s POVThe day Claire exchanged her vows started off like it had been picked straight out of a wedding magazine. Sunshine poured through the trees, brushing everything gold. The sky was a soft kind of blue, the kind you only see in old postcards or dreams. Birds were singing. Bees danced lazily around the wildflowers near the fence. The wind was gentle, like it knew not to mess anything up today.The backyard had already been dressed up the night before, white petals lining the grassy aisle, chairs in neat rows with pastel ribbons fluttering on the backs, and that beautiful arch. Someone had spent hours twisting vines and roses around it, making it look like a page from a fairytale. It was Claire’s dream wedding. And it was perfect.But even perfect days can have shadows.I found Noah in the guest bathroom, right before everything started.I hadn’t been looking for him. Just ducked inside to check my hair, maybe reapply some lip balm. But when I opened the door, I froze.He was s
Daniel’s POV“…Daniel?”Just my name, I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move.The pictures were still spread out across the counter like shattered glass. They were everywhere—like sharp pieces of a secret I’d been trying to keep buried. There was no hiding them now. No gentle way to explain.And the look on Olivia’s face—God.It wasn’t anger. Not yet.It was worse.It was confusion. Hurt. Like someone had broken a window inside her and she didn’t know if she should scream… or just sweep up the pieces and pretend it hadn’t shattered.She didn’t blink. Just stared.“Olivia,” I started, my voice dry and cracked halfway through. “I—”“You need to tell me what I’m looking at,” she said. Her voice was calm, but only on the outside. I could hear the shake underneath it. “Tell me. Now.”The room felt too small. Too warm. Too bright. The lights above us buzzed, and the walls felt like they were closing in.I stepped toward her, but she took a step back like I’d raised a hand.“Don’t,” she whispered
River’s POVThe backyard had been transformed.Colorful plastic cones marked a big rectangle on the grass. There was a cooler in the shade, half full of juice boxes and cold soda cans. Someone had brought out a speaker, and music played—happy, bouncy songs that made little kids dance and adults smile. It smelled like sunscreen and barbecue. Laughter floated through the air like sunlight—soft and warm.Kids were running around in circles, chasing each other, their voices rising with joy. Some adults lounged on folded lawn chairs. Others stretched out on picnic blankets. The grass was soft underfoot, a little dry from the heat, but not too bad. The sun was bright but kind, not the kind that burned—just the kind that kissed your skin and made you squint.Antonio was already halfway across the yard, darting toward a group gathering in the middle.“River’s on my team!” he shouted like he’d just won something huge. He pumped his fist high in the air like a champion.A few heads turned my wa
River’s POVI smiled through breakfast.Poured juice like nothing was wrong. Laughed when Claire teased her fiancé about his man-crush on Noah. Nodded when someone passed me the butter. Said “thanks” and “that’s great” and “wow, really?” like a normal person.Like my mind wasn’t a storm.Because inside, inside I was spinning.The smells of toast and scrambled eggs, the clinking of silverware, the hum of conversation—they were all too loud. Too bright. Everyone was so alive, so normal. And I was just… pretending.I hadn’t slept. Not really. Just laid there, staring at the ceiling, flipping my pillow over and over, hoping sleep would come. But all I could hear was that stupid ding in my head.That message.Elliot’s message.His voice, even though it wasn’t a voice message. It still rang in my ears like he’d spoken it right beside me. Like he was standing over my bed, arms folded, judging.He lied to you.It never stopped.Just that. Two lines. But they clawed into me like nails against
Noah's Pov Something changed with river's behaviour.Like when you walk into a room and someone just left, and the air still holds the shape of them. Like when a song skips, not enough to ruin it, but enough that you know something’s off.That’s what it was like.One second River was laughing, really laughing. His smile touched every part of his face. He had this small dimple on the left side that only showed when he was genuinely amused. And he was—at least I thought so. Claire had just finished telling her story about the time she mistook salt for sugar in her baking, and he laughed so hard he nearly dropped his fork.But the next moment…Something went quiet inside him.Not loud. Not even obvious.Just… quiet.Like a light dimmed behind his eyes.His smile faded before anyone noticed. His fork hovered over the raspberry cheesecake, then lowered slowly, like he forgot it was even there. He blinked down at his phone. Once. Twice. Then tapped the side of it with his finger. Just once
River's Pov.Noah’s sister arrived like a gust of wind—bright, warm, and impossible to ignore.She burst through the front door with a suitcase rolling behind her and her fiancé in tow, laughing at something he whispered in her ear. Her coat flared around her legs, and her cheeks were pink from the sun. There was something about her—like the kind of person who made every room feel alive the moment she walked in.Her eyes swept the entryway, skipping over the coat rack and Noah’s shoes kicked aside by the rug, and landed right on me.They lit up instantly.“River!” she gasped, her whole face brightening, as if she was seeing a long-lost friend.I barely had time to stand before she closed the space between us and wrapped her arms around me. She smelled like sweet perfume and winter wool, her hug soft and full of energy.“God, it’s so good to finally meet you again!” she said, pulling back just enough to look at me, her hands still warm on my shoulders. “Noah has said nothing when I ask