Not well enough to watch his little sister get married.
Mom promised she’ll hold up her camera so he can watch the ceremony on video call. It’s not the same.
My parents hoped we could postpone until he could attend in person, but they don’t understand the urgency. They don’t know that Viktor is still out there, that this wedding is supposed to draw him out. That every day I wait is another day he might hurt someone else I love.
I take a breath and smooth my hands over the bodice of my dress. Julian is recovering. That’s what matters. I need to focus on gratitude, not grief.
When I finally descend the stairs, the chatter stops.
Everyone turns to look at me. Dad finally looks up from his sock hunt. His jaw actually drops. Audrey, who just arrived, whistles. “Damn, girl.”
“Well, we can’t dillydally,” Greg says, breaking the silence with his usual practicality. “Or your groom’s going to think you stood him up.”
I laugh. “Matteo would come find me. Don’t worry about that.”
I believe it, too. If I didn’t show up, he’d tear apart the entire city looking for me. The fact that I find that comforting says a lot about how much my life has changed.
Mom crosses the room to cup my cheeks in her hands. Her eyes are shining. “I can’t believe you’re getting married today. My little girl, all grown up.”
There’s relief in her gaze. The look of a mother who’s been worried about her daughter and is finally letting herself exhale.
She doesn’t know the wedding started as a lie. She doesn’t need to.
“Let’s head out,” Dad announces, grabbing his car keys from the hook by the door. “Greg and I will drive.”
He leads the way outside, Mom following close behind. Greg holds the car door open for Sarah, one hand gentle on her lower back as she maneuvers her pregnant belly into the seat.
I lift my dress so I don’t trip on the porch steps. Thank God the ceremony’s indoors. The sun’s already vicious.
“Sierra, wait.”
Harper’s voice stops me at the threshold. I turn back. She looks pale. Her smile is bright but strained.
“Are you sure you have everything you need?”
I frown, running through a mental checklist. Purse, check. Makeup for touch ups, check. Something borrowed, something blue. Phone...
“Actually, has anyone seen my cell phone? I haven’t had it since early this morning.”
Mom’s already in the passenger seat. Audrey groans from the backseat. “Just leave it. You’re getting married, not posting to Instagram.”
“I’ll help her find it,” Harper says quickly. She steps onto the porch beside me, and I notice her hands are shaking. “Don’t worry. I’ll drive her to the church after.”
Dad hesitates, keys jingling in his grip. “Are you sure?”
“It’s fine.” Harper’s voice is tight. “We’ll be right behind you.”
I reach for her hand and give it a grateful squeeze. Her fingers are clammy.
“Okay,” Dad relents. “But please don’t be late.”
“I won’t be far behind,” I promise.
I watch the SUVs pull out of the driveway, my family waving through the windows. I grin as my mom blows me a kiss.
As I turn back toward the house, a dull thud comes from somewhere around the side yard.
I pause. “Did you hear that?”
