When Gratitude Turns Bitter

. It was Sophia, holding a brida

"The wedding is in a month. I'd be h

m. He was looking at her wi

ea," Liam said, his voice low.

d her from large, noisy gatherings, knowing they m

rmth at the memory, at this sma

linking her arm through his. "She's

oked at her with an expression of pure adoration

les... they all bent for Sophia. It was just another confirmation of a tr

od to the side, a ghost in a pale bridesmaid dress, watching Liam and Sophia greet their gues

tulating him. "When's the big day, Lia

er face a serene ma

bumped into her, spilling a glass of r

sorry!" he

ns. She had left her phone on the table befor

ing by her seat, holding her phone

e phone. A confirmation email for her visa application was open on

ld. He had gone

he lied, her mind racing. "A professor asked me to

ould believe her. His eyes narrowe

ce cut through the tension. "

to Sophia, then back. He shoved the phone bac

h she hadn't realiz

closest friends went upstairs to the bridal suite to participate in the t

de. Ava felt deeply uncomfo

ed her arm, a playful but firm grip

nto the large bed. Before she could get up, a man, one of Liam's drunk friends, fell o

ore from h

m went

and Liam was there.

She pointed a trembling finger at the man,

aker. "Oh, everyone's just had a bit too much to d

the man, Mark, sneered. "It was

e!" Ava's voice

hat's e

rack. It cut through her anger

, her eyes pleadi

. He didn't look at her. He looked at his friend, then at Sophi

her in a freezing wave. The whispers and snickers o

into the cold night air, he

shivered uncontrollably. The headache was blinding, and every time she closed her

e humiliation kept her awake until th