Substitute Bride

over her, carved and cold,

the stems bit into her palms. White ro

he'd rehearsed in her hea

maid, adjusting her veil and whisperi

walk her do

g the pews, throw

e, off-shoulder, something that made h

l thin

just the r

bt pay

stitute

with a blink. Smudged mascara w

e had to su

d open without h

the empty church like t

le. Each step echoed, announci

ready at

Rei

hair styled like he hadn't just sold his soul that morning. And th

hat her bre

r still noticed how h

ps to the altar on legs t

d. A perfect gentle

billionaire heir, philanthropist, the man

ge. Steel bars wrapped

k as she placed

firm. Unyield

l. That the warmth of his palm meant safety. That th

he sm

corner of his mouth that

throat, eager to star

nced off the

and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poor

the vow was delibe

His voice was ve

er. Love her. Be loyal

again. Smal

to her, and she felt the weight

hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

. The words were st

yes

ter betr

d

orgive her? Would He even li

f forever," the priest

ow kiss th

dn't he

waist, pulling her

her chin, tilti

terrified reflec

head, to deny him th

r stopped

g her ear, f

we me and Rose. It'

se

name on his mouth

nearly g

't a kiss. It

eep, pu

wanted her to memorize eve

ent numb at

et nearly

etrayal. She

ow if it was

r, the air rushed back into

d already clo

n in black suits she d

as d

iam Re

-

ide was a

o the window, letting the

treetlights. Strangers.

look at him

orse - believe that flicker of something h

op," she said finall

turn. Did

n y

have a stop

was flat

ed then,

ha

Mrs. Rei

ook up from

he Reigns mans

my thing

ady m

f without lif

Your lease is terminated. Th

tared a

his jaw, the casual c

an't j

ust

d at her. Em

eave you in some roach-infested fl

flin

old life, but at the trut

erase

back to t

of her cheek until

cream building

ed ahead, lit up like a

capable

ned the contract in front of

house, Rose's gh

ut to find out why she ow