Chapter 2

Jessica Lane arrived at the Reynolds house early the next morning.

She was a wedding planner and had personally handled every part of my ceremony.

Only two days remained, and the venue was already fully decorated.

Yet she sat on my parents' couch and announced that she wanted to replace every flower.

"The roses and peonies we chose feel dated.

"What about purple hydrangeas? They would look softer and more luxurious."

She eagerly showed me a new digital rendering.

After what the camera had revealed, I immediately pictured the pots of hydrangeas lined beneath Lily's bedroom window.

They were her favorite flowers.

"We should add a few dishes to the reception menu too."

My mother emerged from the kitchen with a list in her hand.

"Cilantro steak, crab cakes, and cedar-plank salmon."

I hated cilantro and had a severe shellfish allergy.

Every item she named was something Lily loved.

They discussed the changes with growing enthusiasm and remembered to ask the actual bride only when they were nearly finished.

"Amelia, what do you think?"

I did not answer.

I looked from one face to another and gave a quiet laugh.

"Are you planning my wedding or Lily's?"

Every expression in the room changed.

"What are you talking about?"

Owen spoke first, but his gaze slid away from mine.

"I'm sorry, Amelia." Lily's eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Mom and Dad just feel sorry for me. They want to take care of me a little more.

"I know I'm useless. I know I'm always making everyone worry..."

Her breaths became shorter and faster until she collapsed weakly onto the carpet.

The room erupted into chaos.

Mason reached her first. He lifted her into his arms and helped her take her medication.

Owen pointed at me, furious.

"You know she is still recovering. How could you deliberately upset her?"

"Get out of my sight, you spiteful girl!" my father shouted.

"Amelia, how could you say that? Lily didn't mean any harm," Jessica muttered.

I looked at them and almost laughed.

My parents and brother had favored Lily for more than twenty years. I had learned to live with that.

Mason had deceived me because I had trusted the wrong man. I could accept that too.

But Jessica?

When her stepfather had beaten her, I had put myself between them and taken the blows.

After her car accident, I donated so much blood that I nearly passed out.

She had once held my hand and promised that even if the entire world betrayed me, she would remain by my side.

Now she stood with everyone else.

Every person in the room had chosen the other side.

Suddenly, I was too tired to keep fighting.

"Fine," I said calmly.

"Change whatever you want.

"It has nothing to do with me anymore."

I turned away. Guilt flashed across Mason's face, and he followed me toward the stairs.

"Amelia, that isn't what I meant."

I gave him a humorless smile.

"It isn't?

"Then leave the wedding exactly as we planned it."

"No." The answer burst from him before he could stop it. He frowned.

"Jessica's ideas are good, and adding a few dishes won't hurt anyone. We can afford it."

I smiled faintly and pulled my hand free.

"Then do whatever you like."

"Amelia!"

When he realized I would not argue, his face darkened.

"Could you stop with the passive-aggressive attitude?

"Lily has depression, and somehow she is still more stable and considerate than you."

He walked away in anger.

Without expression, I raised the camera and photographed everyone gathered in the living room.

The image showed the second morning after the wedding.

Mason stood beside Lily at a celebratory family brunch, their hands linked while my parents raised champagne glasses to the happy couple.

Jessica, who had once promised to film my ceremony, sat nearby editing Lily's wedding video.

The scene was picture-perfect.

There was only one thing missing from it.

Me.

That was fine.

I sent a message to the man who had agreed to come for me.

"After you pick me up, take me straight to the private terminal.

"I want the wedding in Stonebridge, New Albion. I don't want to stay in Ridgehaven another day."