Chapter 2

But I spot it the second I look down.

In the photo, just below the bride's collarbone — a small mole.

That's Chloe.

He grabbed some random picture of himself and Chloe, slapped my face on it, and didn't even bother getting the details right. Couldn't even be bothered to fake it properly.

Chloe nestles into his chest, putting on her generous-saint act.

"Nate was worried you'd feel embarrassed, so he had this made for you. Show it to your parents — they'll never know. And don't worry, sweetie — the wedding in three days is still all yours. I would never steal your spotlight."

I grip the photo so hard my fingertips go white.

"Nate. You don't think my dad will notice?"

His tone is breezy. Certain.

"You've always been great at performing for your father. Twenty-something years of playing the perfect daughter — what's one more time?"

I bite down on my lip. The words pile up in my throat.

Every lie I've ever told my family was to cover for him.

But before I can get any of it out —

A cough behind me. Chloe clutches her stomach, looking fragile and pained.

"I'll come see you tonight." Nate tosses the words over his shoulder. He's already scooping Chloe up in his arms, carrying her out the door.

I don't know how long I stand there. My phone buzzes. A video.

I open it without thinking.

The frame jolts violently. Nate's voice pours out of the speaker — satisfied, lazy, breathless.

"Chloe, stop it… you're gonna drain me dry."

Then rhythmic thudding. Over and over.

The camera pans slowly. Two silhouettes reflected in a fogged-up car window, tangled together like they've melted into one.

I press my phone face-down against the floor. Tears hit the marble.

I think about four years ago.

The day Chloe moved into our dorm, she stood in the doorway clutching a canvas bag, too scared to come inside. I laughed and pulled her in. Gave her half my bed.

The first time she had lobster, I cracked it open and put it in her bowl. I took her shopping. The first time she bought anything over a hundred dollars, she spun around the dorm room squealing — "Wren, you're my best friend in the whole world!"

Later she asked if I had a crush on anyone. I said yes. Since I was sixteen.

She tilted her head and grinned. "Let me see him! I wanna know what kind of guy is good enough for my Wren."

When I introduced them, I said, "This is my best friend."

Nate looked at her a beat too long. "Your friend's cute."

Chloe ducked her head, blushing all the way to her ears.

And I stood there thinking it was a good thing. That he approved of my friend.

I handed them the knife myself. And now they've buried it in my back.

"Stop crying."

Hayden. I don't know when he showed up.

My voice comes out wrecked. "Don't worry. I won't bother you again."

"When I said 'too rushed,' I meant a sloppy, last-minute thing like that isn't good enough for you."

I look up. There's a single red rose in his hand.

He drops to one knee.

"Wren — I've wanted to marry you for a long time."

"But I'm not letting you hand yourself over in a place like this."

He slides a ring onto my finger. Slowly. Deliberately.

"Keep the ring. I'll give you a real wedding. A real proposal. I'll do all of it over again — the right way."

"But we're filing the paperwork today."