Between Two Sisters

LLE'

orators adding last-minute touches, photographers capturing ever

curled like wings, lips painted a rose-petal red. The satin gown fit like

wasn'

bride. Not

s, the words fogging faintly against the sur

lly for

and a stylist peeked in

ot Mrs.

a custom-tailored Italian suit. His cufflinks glinted unde

riking - as though carved from luxury

the couple everyone would photograph, gos

rustling like whispers around my legs. As we sped toward the venue, the

fantasy - perched high on a cliff, the ocean sparkling behind it like

en arches twisted with ivory roses stood at the altar. Crystal chandeliers swayed f

vine-wrapped pergola, their notes dancing in the air like petals. Th

all as cameras flashed an

she stu

s glo

y knows how to t

raft. As long as they believed

and my heart started

an took

Steady

ouder in my chest. I kept my smile painted on, kept my

ure.

could

urth row, second from the

ie

locked

stare - not confusio

she do

st until after the ceremony. Long eno

. I nearly stumb

eyes were locked on the pastor, his jaw relaxed, his expressio

t seen h

or a moment, everything else blurred. His eyes held mine, and a warmth stirred in

dea of a conv

ngs?" the pastor a

like promises. "This is a w

uests whispered excitedly,

came the

ned in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.

le

perfect

en, sh

oice cut through th

pers. Camer

d into something unreadable - shock,

I heard h

. My sm

tar in a gown almost as elegant as mine. She moved li

ere on her, she d

stepped aside. "You may speak

thing in public, but this marriage isn't what it seems. The

and signaled to so

Slender, elegant, but carrying something far heavier - a s

yes... startl

rrored

est c

voice quiet but firm, "I beli

und came out. His hands tr

ts turned to one another, piecing togethe

hat..

is

e bride he

. Oppressive. Like

woman - Catherine, I guessed - and the boy.

k

emem

e. "Given the gravity of this interruption, I dec

gasp. Followe

ights dimmed, the crowd turned restle

broke i

n't look

kiss - but a haunting stare between the man I

ybe st