FAZER LOGINKATHRYN’S POVThe applause at the start of the ceremony filled the estate, warm and happy. It made my chest feel heavy. I sat next to Iris in the front row trying to look calm because many people were watching us. My thoughts kept wandering. To Jacob and Anna who were now standing under the flower arch and to a little girl who should have been happy somewhere instead of being another mystery.The person leading the ceremony. Everyone turned to face the altar.Everyone except me.I leaned over to Iris.“I need to check something.”He didn’t look away away but he found my hand under the chair.“Kathryn.”“I’ll be careful.”His jaw got a little tighter.“This isn’t, about what Anna said is it?”“No.”I looked at him.“It’s about Celine.”He studied my face. Knew he couldn’t change my mind.“You know this house better than I do.”“I do.”“If something feels off…”“I’ll come back.”“You’ll call me.”“I promise.”He let go of my hand slowly.“Five minutes.”I smiled a little.“Bossy.”“I’v
KATHRYN’S POVThe door opened a little before Anna's assistant came in holding a tablet and wearing a headset."Miss Carter they are ready for you," she said.Anna smiled at her."The guests are seated the officiant is in position and your father is waiting outside," the assistant told her.Anna nodded."I will be there in a minute," she said.The assistant did not move."We are already two minutes behind schedule," she said."I said a minute," Anna replied.The assistant said, "Of course.” Then left, closing the door quietly.Anna looked at her bouquet."So," she said, trying to smile."I suppose this is goodbye," she added.I looked at Anna for a time."No " I said.She frowned."Not yet," I told her.I took a step forward. Gently took Anna's hands."Kathryn," she said, looking surprised."Please," I said, my voice calm."Just listen for thirty seconds," I asked her.Annas fingers tensed in my hands."I did not come here to ruin your wedding," I said."I know " she replied."I did n
KATHRYN’S POVI knew the place we were going to before we even got there. The entrance was fancy with marble, big flower arrangements, and a line of expensive cars. It all seemed to say, "Look at how fancy we're," rather than "Welcome come on in." It was the kind of place Jacob would like because he always cared more about how things looked than if they were truly good.The driver stopped under the entrance. For a moment Iris and I just sat there.He looked at me."Do you still want to do this?" he asked.I smiled, even though my heart was beating fast."Ask me again after we eat some appetizers," I said.He chuckled."I promised I'd be here," he said."And you'll keep your promises " I said."I plan to," he replied.He got out of the car first. Walked around to my side. When he opened the door he didn't offer his hand because he thought I needed help. He offered it because we were in this together.I took his hand."Ready?" he asked.I took a breath."Ready " I said.The ballroom lob
KATHRYN’S POVMost mornings started the way.I woke up before Iris. I made coffee. I liked my coffee better than his. He came into the kitchen. He pretended he didn't follow the smell.One morning he leaned on the doorway. He wore a T-shirt. He looked half awake."You make coffee for one."I looked back."I make coffee for someone who likes coffee.""So one."I laughed."Yes, one."He took my mug. He took a sip.His face changed."You put cinnamon in it.""I always put cinnamon in it.""You keep stealing it."He gave me back my mug."I hope you've changed."I shook my head."You don't want me to change.""No."He said it without thinking."I don't."Those two words made me feel warm inside. They were different, from promises. Promises try to guess the future. Those words just described now.We went shopping that afternoon. We reached for the strawberries.Our hands touched.He looked at me."I saw them first.""You didn't.""I have witnesses.""There are no witnesses."He pointed to a
KATHRYN’S POVThe invitation was still on the coffee table that evening. Every time I walked by I would look at the cream envelope and then I would look away on purpose. I was not afraid of opening it because I already knew what it said. The paper was not about Jacob's future anymore. It was about mine.I found Iris on the balcony just after the sun went down. The city was shining with thousands of lights and the cool breeze was moving the sleeves of his shirt. He was resting his hands on the railing. It seemed like he had been standing there for a while."You have been thinking " I said.He looked at me. Smiled a little."I got caught " he said.I stood beside him."So did I " I said.We both knew what the other person meant. The invitation was with us in every room even though it did not move.I crossed my arms over my chest."We cannot avoid talking about this " I said."No " he said.He turned to face me completely."We probably should not " he said.For a moment we did not say an
IRIS’S POVI thought I would have been standing next to Jacob at his wedding fixing his tie and teasing him about settling down. That is what brothers are supposed to do.Now Jacob is inviting the woman whose life he helped ruin.It is funny. It hurts too much to laugh.I leaned back on the sofa. Closed my eyes. I took a breath.“I miss you," I said quietly. I was not sure if I was talking to the brother I used to know or the one that never really existed.The phone on the table started vibrating.The screen turned on.It was Jacob.I stared at his name for a while before answering.“Hello " I said.Jacob sounded cheerful like we were having a conversation.“I was not sure you would pick up " he said.“I almost did not " I replied.Jacob laughed quietly. It sounded like he was trying too hard.“Well I am glad you did " he said.We did not talk for a moment.The silence was not awkward.It was crowded.Jacob finally spoke up.“So I guess you got the invitation " he said.“I did " I rep
KATHRYN POVFor a second I couldn't breathe. My eyes were on Iris. I was trying to get my head around what I was hearing and what I was seeing."What do you think belongs to you?" Jacob asked in a really sharp tone. His voice sounded cold. I could hear anger underneath.I didn't wait for Iris to an
KATHRYN POV The image of her face popped into my mind fast; Her soft voice that said, "Mama," every morning was still fresh in my mind. My chest felt tight all of a sudden. I made myself look up and meet Jacobs' eyes. "You're bluffing," I said to him. "The court would never believe you, I went to
KATHRYN POVThe shock hit me so hard that I sat up with a loud gasp. My sudden movement jerked his arm away from my waist.I quickly moved backward on the bed like it was on fire holding the shirt I was wearing. “What the hell?!" My voice cracked, and that woke him up immediately.Iris groaned qui
KATHRYN POV“Under arrest? For what?” I asked, disbelief written boldly on my face as I stared at Ruby.“For physical assault against Mr Jacob Mayers" one of the police men answered casually.“You are really arresting me? Wow.” A small laugh slipped out.“Why are you shocked?” she replied, steppin







