Chapter 3

Early the next morning, I was woken up by laughter downstairs.

I went down in a daze.

Guests had already gathered, and Lindsay stood there in that mermaid-cut dress, her arm looped through Carl's.

Seeing my messy hair and rumpled clothes, they couldn't help talking among themselves.

"Who's that woman? Why's she living with the bride and groom?"

"She's not some stalker, is she?"

"Maybe she's the maid, ha!"

Carl hurried over and lowered his voice.

"You couldn't even be bothered to show up for your own wedding rehearsal. You slept in, so thank god Lindsay agreed to fill in for you.

"She didn't want to take over your actual venue, so she thought of you and offered to do the rehearsal here at home instead.

"Just let Lindsay have this experience. I'll still let you attend the real ceremony."

I thought, 'Attend as what? A mistress? A stalker?'

Before I could argue, he went on.

"Everyone voted just now. Everyone agreed."

It wasn't just him and Mark who'd voted for Lindsay. Even my own parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hartley, had voted for her.

Lindsay blinked at me, all innocence.

"Sis, I just wanted to know what it feels like to be a bride for a moment. You're not mad I stole your rehearsal, are you?"

I laughed under my breath, mocking myself.

"I don't mind. You can have the groom too, while you're at it."

Carl's face darkened instantly.

"If you're upset with me, just say so. Don't take it out on Lindsay."

Mark yanked me into a corner like I was something that shouldn't be seen in public.

"Mom and Dad are right there. Since when did you get so difficult?

"Lindsay's an orphan. She finally gets to feel like she's the center of attention for once. Letting her have this is basically doing Mom and Dad a favor."

When our parents had first brought Lindsay home, everyone told me she'd never take away any of the love I had.

But now, she was the little princess of the Hartley family, and I was the outsider.

I stood off to the side as the real bride and watched Carl and Lindsay exchange rings in front of everyone.

He'd once told me that ring only ever had one owner, and he only ever had one bride.

But my own finger was bare, just like this relationship, empty from the start.

The guests' cheers drifted over.

"God, they look so good together!"

"I saw Lindsay's wedding photos on her feed yesterday and didn't believe it. She's actually getting married!"

"Her fiancé really looks out for her. Some old classmate wouldn't leave her alone a while back, and Carl made it official with her just like that!"

"Yeah, he beat that guy up so badly he almost got himself arrested!"

So that was how it was.

This so-called "last-minute stand-in" had been planned from the start.

A message came in from Director Anders.

Director Anders: [This program is a closed one. You won't be able to come back for five years. Think it through carefully.]

I watched Carl and Lindsay make their rounds, toasting the guests like the perfect couple, and let out a calm, resigned laugh.

Me: [Director Anders, I've thought it through.]

Right after, a flight confirmation came through. Tonight's nine o'clock flight.

I finished handing off my work and went back to my room to pack.

What I saw the moment I stepped inside stopped me cold.