Chapter 1

Today was supposed to be my wedding day with Grayson Harmon. But the moment I opened my eyes that morning, my heart wouldn't stop racing. I couldn't explain it, just had a sinking feeling something was going to go wrong.

And sure enough, it did—right as we stepped onto the stage.

Sophia Lexton showed up.

She stood there, holding a scalpel. A real surgical scalpel. Sharp enough to slice skin clean.

Her hand shook as she held it to her own neck, crying like her world was ending.

"Grayson," she screamed, "why did you lie to me? You swore—you said it'd be you and me, forever! It's me and you who are meant to be! How could you not marry me? I'm the only one who should be standing here as your bride. Who is she, anyway?"

It was always like this. Anyone with half a brain could see through her act. But Grayson never could. He always fell for it. Always ended up letting her take him away.

One blind. One heartless.

And this time, he was already giving in again.

He stepped toward her, his voice soft in a way I'd never heard before, trying to calm her down. That look on his face—it tore something in my chest.

The guests had started whispering now, murmurs moving through the crowd like smoke.

I stood frozen, watching the man I loved hold another woman in his arms, feeling my heart drop to the bottom of the earth.

But Sophia wasn't finished. She raised the scalpel again, ready to slash.

Grayson closed his eyes, thinking for a second, then looked at me. "Brianna, we'll have to call off the wedding—for now. I'm taking Sophia to the hospital. Once she's discharged, I'll give you an even grander ceremony."

I looked at the man I'd loved for five years. "Grayson, if you walk away today, what am I supposed to do? I'll be the laughingstock of all of Panembria. How am I supposed to face anyone? If she's in danger, someone else can take her to the hospital. The doctors will do their job. You're not a doctor. Today is our wedding—are you really going to leave me here, alone?"

His eyes darkened, the warmth gone. Just frustration now.

"Brianna, what's more important—her life, or your pride? You never used to be like this. When did you become so unreasonable?"

"Unreasonable?" I laughed helplessly. "If I were really unreasonable, I wouldn't have tolerated everything until today. Grayson, even the most patient person has a breaking point."

Something in my voice must've gotten through—he hesitated. He looked at me, like he finally saw something wasn't right.

But Sophia made her move. She drove the scalpel into her neck.

"Grayson, why are you abandoning me? Is it because of that woman? You told me—she drugged you, forced you to be with her! Brianna, you shameless woman—why did you seduce him? Why? He loves me, he always has!"

Blood spilled from her pale neck, staining the white collar of her shirt. And just like that, Grayson's expression turned cold again.

I said quietly, "Grayson, I already called for an ambulance. The paramedics are on their way. If you're worried about her, you can see her after the wedding."