All Chapters of Dear EX: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

Nina's POV"If you pull that zipper any harder, Nina, I’m going to be sewn into this dress until my first anniversary."Amelia’s laugh echoed through the bridal suite, warm and bright over the classical music playing from the speakers."I'm trying to make sure you don't burst out of twenty thousand dollars worth of silk before you even reach the altar," I said, yanking the hidden zipper up to the top with a sharp zip. "Which, considering Mom's budget, would be a national tragedy."Amelia turned around in the mirror, smoothing the ivory silk over her hips. "You're just mad I made you wear emerald green.""I'm mad because green makes me look like a festive tree.""You look gorgeous and you know it," she said, reaching out to grab both of my hands. Her smile softened, her dark eyes shining with sudden, heavy tears. "Thank you for being here, Nina. Seriously."I swallowed down the lump forming in my throat. "Where else would I be? You’re my sister.""Yeah, but I know you," she whispered,

Nina's POVMy chest felt like it was on fire.The moment Roman turned his back on me and disappeared into the crowd, I marched straight to the bar. I didn't look at Mom. I didn't look at Amelia. I just leaned over the marble counter and stared at the bartender."Double whiskey," I said. "Neat."The bartender blinked. "Miss, the signature cocktails—""Double. Whiskey," I repeated, my voice tight. "Please."He poured it. I grabbed the glass, knocked it back in one gulped breath, and let the liquid burn all the way down into my stomach. It didn't stop my hands from shaking. I snatched a second glass right off his tray, turned on my heel, and practically ran toward the quiet hallway leading to the private bridal suite upstairs.I needed to get away. I needed to breathe. I needed five minutes without Roman Blake's dark eyes burning holes into my soul.I threw the heavy wooden door of the suite open, ducked inside, and leaned against the frame, staring at the high ceiling."You're crazy," I

Nina's POV"Pretty crazy," I repeated, the words tasting like copper on my tongue.I couldn't tear my eyes away from his hands. Roman's long, calloused fingers were still loosely wrapped around Julianna’s small, manicured hand, right under the blinding glow of the chandelier. Across the ballroom, Roman stared straight back at me, his face an unreadable mask, his jaw locked tight."Crazy doesn't even cover it," Amelia babbled cheerfully, slipping her arm through mine and pulling me toward the center of the room. "Damien told me his family has been trying to lock down that match for years. They're practically high-society royalty.""Yeah," I rasped, my throat feeling like sandpaper. "Royalty.""Anyway, come on! Mom is waving at us from the head table. If we don't sit down right now, she’s going to have a full meltdown in front of the photographers!"The head table was pure, agonizing torture.It was a long table draped in ivory silk and overflowing with white orchids, positioned on a ra

Nina's POV"There’s no secret, Damien," Roman said instantly, his voice dropping into that smooth, cold tone he used like a shield. He didn't even flinch. He just pulled his hand off the stone railing and stepped back, looking at his brother like Damien was an annoying bug. "Your wife’s sister was just giving me a speech about how arrogant I am."Damien took another slow sip of his whiskey, his sharp eyes flicking between the two of us. "Is that so?""Yes, that's so!" I blurted out, my chest pounding so hard I thought my ribs would snap. I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, squeezing my eyes into a glare. "He thinks because he’s a Blake, he can talk down to people. I was just telling him to stay out of my way.""She has quite the mouth on her," Roman sneered, playing right into the cover story. He smoothed down his lapels, looking down his nose at me. "Unpolished. Unfiltered. Unbelievable.""She's my wife's family, Roman," Damien said softly, stepping between us. He placed a gentl