Chapter 3

I stood before the mirror, trapped in the wrong gown,

listening to my fiancé and another woman plan my wedding.

Like it was theirs.

An assistant walked over, handing me a milkshake.

"Miss Hayes, you look pale. Have some of this to keep your blood sugar up."

I was about to decline, but Julian had already hung up.

He grabbed the cup and shoved the straw to my lips.

"Drink. You've been going non-stop all morning."

Cold liquid slid down my throat.

Then came the smell—the heavy scent of almonds.

My eyes dropped to the cup,

fixing on the brown flecks swirling in the milky white.

All color drained from my face.