Chapter 3

Of course he wasn't alone.

Eight years ago, those words had destroyed me.

This time, I felt nothing.

No.

That wasn't true.

I felt rage.

Cold, vicious rage.

“Who is he with?” I asked.

My wedding planner hesitated.

“A woman.”

“Is she pregnant?”

Her eyes widened.

“How did you—”

“Natalie?”

My mother's voice came from behind her.

She had returned with two makeup artists and stopped when she saw our faces.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

The planner looked at me as if I'd lost my mind.

My mother frowned. “Clearly something happened.”

I walked back into the suite.

“I need to get dressed.”

“Natalie—”

“Mom. Please.”

She stared at me for a moment before nodding.

“All right.”

For the next fifteen minutes, people moved around me.

They fixed my makeup.

Pinned my veil.

Fastened the tiny buttons running down the back of my dress.

I watched myself become the bride I remembered.

Last time, I'd cried while they dressed me.

Not because I was unhappy.

Because I had thought I was the luckiest woman alive.

I'd loved Ryan since I was eighteen.

Ten years.

Ten years, and I'd believed I knew him.

Today, I knew exactly who he was.

“Beautiful,” Mom whispered.

I met her eyes in the mirror.

She was crying.

My chest tightened.

I would save her.

All of them.

Whatever it took.

A knock sounded.

Daniel opened the door without waiting.

“Apparently we're having a family emergency.”

Mom sighed. “What now?”

Daniel's expression changed when he looked at me.

“Ryan wants to speak to Natalie.”

“No.”

Everyone looked at me.

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

“No?”

“No.”

“He says it's important.”

“I don't care.”

Mom came closer.

“Natalie, what's going on?”

I stood.

“Let's go downstairs.”

“Natalie—”

“I want to see Grandpa.”

That ended the discussion.

The elevator ride felt endless.

Every floor brought back another memory.

Leaving this hotel beside Ryan.

Our honeymoon.

Our first anniversary.

The first time Serena called him during dinner and he left me sitting alone.

I curled my fingers around my bouquet.

Never again.

The elevator doors opened.

Daniel walked beside me toward the private reception area reserved for our families.

Voices spilled into the hallway.

Ryan's father.

My father.

Ryan.

And Serena.

I stopped.

Daniel looked at me.

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

For the first time in eight years, I was.

I pushed open the doors.

Conversation stopped.

My gaze found Grandpa first.

He stood beside the windows, silver-haired and straight-backed, looking furious.

Alive.

I nearly broke.

Dad stood beside him.

Healthy.

Alive.

I wanted to run to both of them.

Instead, I looked at Ryan.

My murderer looked twenty-nine again.

Handsome.

Perfectly dressed.

The man I'd once believed I'd grow old beside.

And beside him stood Serena.

One hand rested protectively over her swollen stomach.

I remembered that dress too.

Pale blue.

She'd cried constantly.

She'd barely been able to look at me.

I'd thought she was ashamed.

Now I knew better.

“Natalie.” Ryan stepped forward.

I stepped back.

His expression flickered.

“Natalie, we need to talk.”

“Talk.”

“Privately.”

“No.”

His jaw tightened.

“Natalie.”

“Whatever you have to say, say it here.”

“Nattie,” Dad said gently, “perhaps you should hear Ryan out.”

“I will. Right here.”

Grandpa's eyes moved to me.

Something like approval flashed in them.

Ryan glanced around the room.

His parents stood near Serena.

His mother looked as though she'd been crying.

Exactly the same.

It was almost funny.

They were all playing roles in a performance I'd already seen.

Ryan exhaled.

“Serena is pregnant.”

“I can see that.”

Silence.

Ryan blinked.

Serena's lips parted.

Last time, I'd started crying.

This time, I smiled.

“Congratulations.”

“Natalie, please.”

“On the baby.”

Ryan stared at me.

“This isn't easy for me.”

I nearly laughed.

For him?

“I imagine not.”

“The baby is mine.”

There it was.

The lie that had changed my life.

My mother's hand flew to her mouth.

Daniel swore.

Dad's face hardened.

Grandpa didn't move.

I looked at Serena.

She lowered her eyes.

Perfect.

“Is that true?” I asked.

She nodded.

“I'm sorry.”

Liar.

Ryan moved closer.

“It happened when you and I were separated.”

“For three weeks.”

“I know.”

“And you slept with her.”

“It was a mistake.”

Serena flinched beautifully.

Ryan continued.

“But the baby isn't.”

Of course.

I'd heard this speech before.

“I won't abandon my child, Natalie.”

“I wouldn't ask you to.”

Relief appeared on his face.

Too soon.

“Thank you.”

His mother started crying harder.

“I knew you'd understand.”

Understand.

That word.

I'd spent my entire first life understanding everyone except myself.

Ryan reached for my hand.

I moved it away.

His eyes narrowed.

“There is one more thing.”

I knew.

But I let him say it.

“Serena doesn't have anyone who can support her properly right now.”

Serena's shoulders trembled.

“So I've arranged for her to stay at the guesthouse after we're married.”

Daniel stared at him.

“You're joking.”

“It would only be until the baby is older.”

“No,” Daniel said.

Ryan ignored him.

“This doesn't change us, Natalie. I love you. I'm marrying you.”

My stomach twisted.

Once, those words had been enough.

Not anymore.

I looked around the room.

At my living father.

My living brother.

My living grandfather.

At the family I had lost because I married this man.

Then I looked at Serena.

She was still pretending to cry.

I pulled the engagement ring from my finger.

Ryan went still.

“Natalie.”

I walked toward Serena.

Her eyes widened when I took her hand.

Then I placed the ring in her palm and closed her fingers around it.

“You're right, Ryan.”

His shoulders relaxed.

“A child shouldn't grow up without a father.”

“Natalie—”

I smiled.

“So marry her.”