Chapter 2

Ethan opened his mouth as if to respond.

"Ethan! Get over here and help me figure out this mess. I can't make sense of it!" Zoe was standing on top of the pile of shredded wedding dress, scratching her head.

Ethan turned to look at her and let out a helpless laugh. "If you can't figure it out, what makes you think I can?"

She was still wearing his suit jacket. That jacket, like my wedding gown, had been crafted by a reclusive indie designer who'd long since retired.

All because I'd once made an offhand compliment about that designer's work. Ethan flew to Europe over a dozen times, showed up at the designer's door in person, and finally convinced him to come out of retirement.

When the gown arrived, Ethan handled it more carefully than I did. He said it should be kept as a family heirloom.

It didn't even survive the wedding day.

Ethan and Zoe crouched on the floor talking. Suddenly Zoe picked up a piece of sheer fabric and draped it over Ethan's head, then ducked under it herself. Beneath the veil, their noses were almost touching.

For a split second, Ethan lost himself.

Zoe grinned, bold and bright. "Oh come on. That's all it takes to fluster you?"

Ethan yanked the fabric away and laughed. "Knock it off."

Zoe shoved him flat on his back, straddled him, and started tickling. "Did you just tell me to knock it off? Getting bold, are we? Let me fix that."

The two of them rolled around together.

Guests drifted back to their seats, and the banquet hall was far from quiet. Someone whispered, "Rich people really know how to have fun. Hiring a bunch of extras as wedding guests, throwing a fake ceremony, all just for kicks?"

"I don't know about that. The bride seemed pretty serious."

"She's the only one who thought it was real. Did you see any of her family or friends here?"

"The groom's parents were probably hired too, right? The rest of us are just here to do a job."

"Who did she piss off? That scene just now was practically sexual assault."

I shut the door, sealing those grotesque images on the other side.

Back in the suite, I didn't realize my face was streaked with tears until I started removing my makeup. The blessing ceremony on the wedding bed had been handled by Zoe. I couldn't bring myself to touch that bed again.

I changed into my own clothes and took off the ring. It wasn't until I'd confirmed that my overseas fellowship, originally scheduled for after the wedding, could be moved up that I finally felt like I could breathe again.

But I still couldn't reach a single one of my family members or friends.

Staring at the hurricane warning on my phone, the dread in my chest grew heavier by the second. I immediately called the police, then prepared to head to the nearest dock.

When the elevator doors opened, Ethan and Zoe were standing inside.

Ethan frowned. "Zoe was right. She guessed you'd throw a fit and walk out."

Zoe let out a mocking sigh. "Women. Always so difficult."

Ethan gripped my wrist. "Hear Zoe out first."

Zoe shrugged. "If you're upset about Ethan being late to the courthouse that day, all I can say is you have zero trust in him."

"He was nervous that night. We watched those kinds of movies together just to help him relax."

"He and I are friends. Don't make it dirty."

I didn't respond. She grew impatient.

"I recorded the video to show Ethan what a real reaction looks like versus a fake one. Honestly, I was doing it for your benefit on the wedding night. I never planned on letting you see it."

By the time what she was actually saying sank in, I was so disgusted I wrenched my arm free of Ethan's grip.

So that was why Ethan showed up the next day completely spent and missed our appointment to register the marriage.

She couldn't have explained earlier or later. She chose this exact moment.

I scrubbed the skin where he'd touched me until it was raw and red.

Ethan's expression darkened.

I fixed my eyes on him, my voice cold. "Ethan, the hurricane is almost here. Where are my family and friends?"

He blinked, then instinctively looked at Zoe.

Zoe glanced down at her buzzing phone with casual disinterest. "I sent a boat."

She looked up, her smile airy and light. "Don't you think it'd be fun if all of them had to row back across the ocean together?"

Then, as if she'd just noticed the weather alert on her phone, she raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. A hurricane. Well, I guess they'd better be careful."