od muffling the chaos outside. She looked at her reflection. Her

rry. "Hallie, are you sure about this? This will blow up

he mess was already made. I'm just refusing to be the one buried under it."

ire there, and sighed in defeat. She couldn't stop her.

ll the officiant-the bride needs a moment to prepare a surprise." Her words were sharp, precise, leaving no room for argument. "And please, keep an eye on Aun

embling, and left to carry

art to slow, her breathing to even out. She mentally rehearsed her plan, searching for any flaw,

thoughts. "Come in," she said

ne. The rage was gone from her face, replaced by a carefully c

Claire... she's spoiled. I've already scolded her." Hallie watc

milies' reputations. There are hundreds of guests out there." She paused, then delivered her true purpose. "I've sent people to find Ethan. Let

ing up with practiced tears.

and. Her grip was tight. "But I promise you, if you get through th

er head as her shoulders shook with silent, fake sobs. Victoria, believing she

ible." She patted Hallie's shoulder. "You

e room, confident she ha

's head snapped up. There were no tears.

to her reflection. "Alright. Le

cared about one thing and one thing only-their publi

about in the garden below. Her reflection stared back at her-a stranger in white, eyes hard wi

going to let

ing for the restroom. And Hallie had just decided: the next man who walked through that door, whoever he was, would be her groom

knock came

aps. Confiden

t maybe-just maybe-he had come back. But no. It wasn

and trembling on the handle

ger sto

t belonged on magazine covers. And eyes-deep, dark blue,

then back at her face. A faint cr

I'm supposed t

. Wrong room. He was lost. Some other

t, a reckless, audacio

s arm and pull

r voice low and fierce. "Bu

idn't know where he came from. Bu

was about