My Stepsister, My Mate, My Curse

or Ro

me," my mother murmured through her tear

Don't cry, you'll

tears away, then said, "

d whistled in admiration th

int the second he sees you," he said playfully, making

nger," Rio said as he offered his arm to my mo

aria!" my grandmother exclaimed,

lly and whispered

d, staring after them. I fought

.. just hold it together,"

esmaid's dress and glanced a

f our lives-lost to us forever. There was no gett

he bouquet to my chest and walke

-

-where Harry stood next to the priest and his son

f the family. On my mother's side, it was o

round us as we walked,

Harry staring at m

, old man!" I mut

him, her head l

o-face with Dominic, who glar

d, in a swift move, stu

in annoyance before h

ife. You may kiss the bride," the

asted n

ad away, my he

mother, Eleanor-eve

air, and couple

sipping juice and w

ing to dance?"

ferently. "Nah,

re," she

was dancing

from us, chatting

hed with a

rla-why aren'

ison, "We're fin

hen extended his hand toward

your brother the hono

"You're such a s

rla's arm and shoved her toward him. S

d, leading her to the dance floor. Her

-

, Grandma approac

r us? I remember you telling me abou

. "Uh... Grandma, that

n answer. She grabbed my arm a

she's s

verse, and murmurs of confusion spread through th

nnounced cheerfully, "but Eleanor would

handed me the microphone, and

ed to the band and quic

and joined the crow

my gaze to the guests, and w

two... t

I lost myself in the rhythm and sang

inished the final song

tightly, full of gratitude. Ev

Rio also came up to e

eyes locked with Dominic's across t

ou staring at?" Suzy

what were y

nt," she replied

in my cheeks, and returned to en

-

f an hour ago for their honeymoo

a, but she got caught up with somethi

ebration. A deep sadness settled over me-my mother had left our family forever an

.. for your father'

mocking voice. I flinched. He was standing jus

ered to myself, trying to ignore hi

bout the marriage,

my answer mat

n't matter at all. But if we had worked t

Then I added, "It's your father's ha

er's memory-his late... wif

loyal to those they lo

t doesn't mean we forget those who left us,"

ther would come back... but..

er dead?" he

't you ever put my father and

a mortal cre

like thinking about it," I snapped in

t bear the thought of losing him-not

rted apology. We sat in silence for a few minutes before I sudden

took a deep breath and continu

nderstood? If a single tear falls from her

laughter, holding hi

he ant is thr

my mouth dropped

re underestim

the sound and saw it wasn't far away. A l

y throat went dry, sweat broke out all over me, and my

ced my silen

wh

w. My chest rose and fell rhyth

with concern, standing up behind me. At th

ithout thinking, I leapt toward Dominic, wrapping my arms arou

staggered before regaining balance

, get o

me!" I cried, my voice indisting

sture, he ordered the dog to leave-and it did. But even aft

ar. His voice brought a strange calm to me. M

ing my face red. I pushed a few strands o

ogs. Anyway... thank you," I m

mbled as if he were fighting off an invisible force. His features h

... po

epped back, panic

y?" I asked, my

tormed off without answering, disappearing in

terly and mut

and cu