Chapter 2

Mom let go of Chloe and took a step toward me.

"Nora..."

The wedding planner knocked and came in, a bathrobe in her arms. She took one look at the buckets on the floor and handed me the robe.

"Put this on for now. I'll get the cleaning crew up here."

"Thank you."

I went into the bathroom, peeled off the stained gown, and threw it in the tub.

Julian stood outside the door. "I know you're upset. When you come out, I'll make Chloe apologize properly."

I locked the door.

I let the warm water run forever. The sharp smell finally faded, but my skin was still streaked with red. I used body wash, then makeup remover, scrubbing my arms until they burned. The color wouldn't come off.

When I came out in the robe, Mom stood up immediately.

"Why is it still so red?"

Chloe glanced down at my hands.

"I added a little fixing dye so the color would show up better. I thought it would wash off."

I stared at her. She shrank back.

Dad unzipped the garment bag hanging on the rack. "What about the backup dress? You said you brought one."

"I left it at home."

"Then go get it," I said.

Chloe looked at Mom. "It's at least two hours round trip."

Mom patted the back of her hand. "Okay, we hear you."

The planner scrolled through her phone. "There's a bridal shop nearby I can call. They can send over a white dress. About forty minutes."

"Please do," I said.

Dad checked his watch. "People have been waiting a long time out there."

I picked up my phone from the chair. "You can tell them the wedding's canceled."

"Nora, don't be like this." Mom reached out and gripped my wrist. "We're figuring it out."

Chloe slowly smoothed down her skirt. "What if I just walk through the ceremony? Once the photos are done, everyone can go eat. We'll just tell them it was the last prank."

I turned to Julian. "You hear this?"

He frowned. "Chloe, that's not appropriate."

"I know." Her eyes welled up again. "But my dress won't fit Nora, and all those people are out there. We can't just make them keep waiting."

"They can wait, or they can leave," I said. "I don't need someone standing in for me at my own wedding."

Dad lowered his voice. "You two already signed the papers last week. Today's ceremony is just for show, for family and friends. Don't make this uglier than it has to be."

I didn't look at him. I kept my eyes on Julian.

"If you walk her down that aisle, we're done."