Chapter 2

2

"Shara," Xavier said softly, using that familiar, gentle tone.

I used to love the way he said my name. Now, it sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

Every time he spoke, I pictured him smiling at Lyla in that hospital bed. I sat down across from him anyway.

Since I came back to the family at fifteen, Xavier had been my North Star. My entire adult life had revolved around him.

I wasn't even sure if I loved him anymore, or if I was just clinging to the eight years I'd wasted on him. I was stuck in a loop of grief and denial.

Xavier leaned forward and pushed a bowl of oatmeal toward me. "Lyla got sick. I spent the night at the hospital making sure she was okay."

The story sounded so absurd I almost laughed. My sister got sick, so my husband-to-be ditched our wedding to play nurse?

"Xavier," I said, my voice cold. "Don't you think you owe me a real explanation?"

I wanted him to admit it. I wanted him to tell me what they really were.

He looked at me with eyes that were terrifyingly rational. There was no guilt there, only logic.

"Shara, there's nothing to explain. Lyla and I are just old friends. Yesterday was a mistake, and I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you with a better ceremony later."

We fell into a silent, toxic agreement to pretend the wedding disaster never happened. Lyla didn't call, and Xavier acted like he hadn't committed the ultimate betrayal.

A few days later, we visited Xavier's grandmother at the care facility. "Shara, why haven't you shown me the wedding photos? I bet you were a vision in that dress."

Nana Reed grabbed my hand. She was frail, but her smile was pure sunshine.

Xavier knelt by her bed, his voice sweet and soothing. "Nana, the photographer is still editing them. I showed you the video of the morning preparations, remember?"

Nana nodded, her memory a bit foggy. "Right, right. That vintage lace gown was stunning on you, dear."

"Once the formal prints are ready, we'll bring them over," Xavier promised, flashing a charming smile.

I didn't say a single word. I just watched him lie to the woman he loved most in the world.

I realized then that the order of things was all wrong. I thought Xavier married me because he loved me and his family approved.

Now I saw that he only proposed because Nana had decided I was the only girl fit to be a Reed. He was fulfilling a requirement, not a dream.

Xavier kept up the act at home, making breakfast every morning. He handed me a glass of milk, and I looked him in the eye.

"Come home early tonight," I said.

He didn't even look up from his phone. He was typing a message, his thumb flying across the screen. "I'm swamped today."

I went quiet. He finally noticed the tension and glanced up at me.

Xavier had these incredible, soulful eyes that made you feel like you were the only person in the world. It was a dangerous trap.

"Is something happening today?" he asked.

I looked away. "Nothing major. I just wanted a quiet dinner together."

He reached over and ruffled my hair, his touch lingering. "Tomorrow, I promise. I'll wrap up this project and spend the entire day with you."

"Okay," I whispered. But his words didn't bring me any comfort.

Today was our five-year anniversary. He had completely forgotten.

Later that afternoon, a friend called me. "Shara, I think I just saw Xavier... with Lyla."

I was in the kitchen, and my hand jerked. A massive cloud of powdered sugar spilled all over the cake batter I was mixing.

I hung up and tried to scoop the excess sugar out before it dissolved. I was panicking, my movements clumsy.

I knocked over a glass, and it shattered on the floor. Water soaked into my socks.

It was a total mess. Just like my life.

By the time I cleaned up the glass, the sugar had melted into the cream. I didn't have any more ingredients, but my brain was so fried I didn't think to go to the store.

I just kept mixing. I baked the cake with the oversweetened, ruined cream.

I went through the motions like a robot. It was only when I piped the number 5 on top that I felt a pang of emotion.