Chapter 2

Serena's POV:

Nora turns back to me, completely lost.

"The games are over. Shouldn't he be the first one running up here?"

I let out a small laugh.

"Nora — when the groom shows up, go easy on him."

She blinks. Then she covers her mouth and grins.

"Oh my God, I knew it. You're too soft on him."

"Fine, fine — since he chased you for three whole years, I'll tell the girls to take it easy. Twenty push-ups max."

She's already typing in the group chat: "Bride says chill out. Don't wear the groom out. The bride will feel bad for him."

I almost smile. Almost.

This was supposed to be such a sweet moment.

Nora finishes texting and loops her arm through mine.

"Seriously though — three years together, and he's barely even held your hand. Now you're signing the papers today. You nervous?"

"No," I say.

"Liar." She grins. "Your lips are white."

Right on cue, my phone buzzes.

Mom. Video call.

She's just finished a round of chemo. Her hair is gone. Her skin is the color of old paper. But she's smiling — eyes crinkled, warm, alive.

"My baby looks so beautiful today. I'm watching the stream — Ethan was working so hard on those games to get to you. Don't be too tough on him, okay?"

I force out a laugh. Nod.

"I can't wait to see you two sign those papers."

The nurse walks in to change her IV. Glances at the screen.

"Oh — is your daughter one of today's brides?"

"She is. Fifty couples, all on TV." Mom's voice is thin as a candle in the wind. "My girl found herself a good man. Three years, never gave me a reason to worry. Treats her like she's the most precious thing in the world."

I grip the phone so hard my nails dig into my palm.

She doesn't know.

The man who chased me for three years, who loved me for three years, who moved heaven and earth to get us into this wedding —

He did it all so he could marry his dead brother's widow in the chaos.

So he could force his parents into accepting a marriage they never would've agreed to.

I take a deep breath. Smile at the camera.

"Okay Mom, the signal's bad. I'll call you back after we sign."

I hang up.

Nora adjusts my veil.

"You know, a mass wedding isn't so bad. No stress, everything's taken care of, and it's on live TV."

She smiles again. "Your mom's probably so happy right now, it's healing her faster than any medicine."

Then she walks to the window and looks out for a while.

When she comes back, she's frowning.

"Why isn't Ethan here yet?"

"Every other room's been picked up already. The host just announced couple number twenty-eight."