Author’s POV

The wedding was just two days away.

Lara’s household buzzed with preparations—not for her, of course, but for everyone else. Her father was buried in work, rushing to complete everything before they traveled. Her stepmother and Mia were out almost every day, shopping endlessly for clothes, gifts, and jewelry.

Lara’s life, meanwhile, was the same. College. Part-time job. Home. Sleep. Repeat. The days blurred together until, suddenly, it was time to leave for the wedding.

She stood in front of her small wardrobe, nervously scanning her old clothes. Most were plain, faded, or reused too many times. Definitely not wedding material, she thought bitterly.

A knock snapped her out of her thoughts.

She opened the door—and there stood her stepmother, holding two shopping bags.

“Here,” the woman said stiffly. “Try not to embarrass us by showing up in those ragged clothes. People will judge.”

Lara bit back a sarcastic reply. “Thank you,” she said quietly, taking the bags.

Her stepmother left without another word.

Inside the bags were expensive-looking dresses, heels, and cosmetics. Lara sighed. She knew this wasn’t about kindness. It was about appearances. Their image.

She got ready in silence. The dress fit perfectly, hugging her slim frame. She applied some light makeup, brushed her hair, and then made her way downstairs.

Her baby brother, Blake, was running around the living room in a tiny suit, looking like a doll. Lara’s heart melted.

“You look like a little prince,” she smiled, ruffling his hair.

Their car arrived soon after. Her parents sat in the middle row, while Lara was seated alone at the very back. Typical.

She texted Sia during the ride, laughing over messages about Rex and their first official date.

Her parents talked about arrangements. Blake slept. And eventually, so did she.

She woke up to loud music, laughter, and car horns.

They had arrived at Alex’s mansion.

Decorated for the celebration, it looked like something out of a movie—grand, expensive, cold.

Her stepmother handed Blake to her. “He’s still sleepy. Take him to our room upstairs and let him rest.”

Lara nodded, lifting her brother carefully. The mansion was massive, unfamiliar. A maid led her upstairs. She laid Blake down gently in one of the guest bedrooms, covering him with a blanket.

As she walked out, Lara noticed movement in the corridor.

Rose.

She was coming out of a side hallway, her face twisted in what looked like anger or maybe sadness. It was hard to tell.

Rose had a phone in her hand and was speaking in hushed tones before disappearing into the backyard. Moments later, she returned—masking her expression with a fake smile—and walked back into the party.

As she passed, Lara noticed her cousin approaching from the opposite direction. He smiled at Rose, and they shared a brief laugh. There was a softness between them. Something hidden.

Could they be... in love?

Lara turned away, not wanting to intrude on whatever secret they were hiding.

She was halfway to her room when Mia appeared out of nowhere.

“Don’t just stand around,” Mia snapped. “There are boxes downstairs. Wedding dresses, accessories, jewelry—take them up to Rose’s room.”

Lara didn’t argue. She had expected this. She was here as the invisible helper—not as family.

She carried box after box upstairs, trying not to let the sting of humiliation show on her face.

Halfway through, her cousin crossed her path again.

“Hey,” Lara said politely. “Congrats on the wedding.”

He gave her a slow smile. “Thanks. But...” he glanced away, “something tells me it might not happen.”

Lara frowned but said nothing. He walked away.

Just then, Rose and Mia came down the stairs, both dressed in stunning gowns, hair styled, faces glowing. They didn’t even look at Lara as they passed. A moment later, her cousin followed them—and shut the door to Rose’s room behind them.

Locked.

Something about it felt... off.

Before she could think more, footsteps sounded behind her.

“Why are you staring at that room?”

She turned quickly.

Alex.

Tall. Calm. Intimidating.

His eyes locked onto hers, unreadable.

“I asked you a question,” he said again, voice cold.

Lara swallowed hard. “Nothing. Just... waiting for instructions.”

Alex stepped a little closer.

“You were watching them,” he said, voice low. “Something wrong?”

Should I tell him? she thought. Should I say something’s off about Rose? About Mia? About my cousin?

But she knew better. Alex could be protective of both women. If he thought she was gossiping...

“No,” she said finally. “I was just passing by.”

He stared at her for a long second before nodding once. “Don’t wander where you don’t belong.”

And with that, he turned and walked away.

Lara stood frozen, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

She had a strange feeling deep in her chest.

Like something ugly was being hidden beneath all this glitter.

And maybe... it would all come crashing down soon.

Author’s Note:

To be continued...

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