Chapter 2

In early June, Brandon and I got married back-to-back.

Last time around, Brandon and Eleanor had deliberately scheduled our weddings on the same day to overshadow me.

But this time, things were different. The Aurora family's reputation wasn't something they could just trample on.

They showed up to my wedding with sour faces, clearly reluctant but not daring to skip it.

The reception was packed. It was the first big social event I'd been to since Mom died.

Dad had always thought I shouldn't be in the public eye much after Mom passed.

But right after Mom's funeral, Eleanor and Brandon moved into the Caleb house.

"Nervous?"

I turned to Aurora standing beside me. We were the only ones outside the ballroom, waiting quietly to walk into our marriage.

Aurora was stunning—even more beautiful than the piano prodigy I'd seen in videos. Today she wore a custom white wedding dress, her long hair up in an elegant twist that showed off her slender neck.

"I…"

Before I could even find the words, Aurora linked her arm through mine.

The ballroom doors swung open. I felt a jolt of panic, but the warmth of her hand steadied me.

After a long, exhausting day, I collapsed onto the king-sized bed in our bridal suite, letting my body finally relax.

"Tired?"

"Want to come out for something to eat?"

"Not hungry."

Immediately, my traitorous stomach growled loudly, giving me away.

"Just a little bit?"

Her voice was so soft. And after not eating all day, I was definitely craving something.

I ended up sitting across from her at the dining table, eating the meal my new wife had cooked.

Who knew those hands—made for playing piano—could cook too? I never would've guessed.

"I'm sorry."

Halfway through the meal, she suddenly apologized.

I wasn't surprised. News of her upcoming France concert was all over social media.

"I'm leaving tomorrow. It's so last-minute, and I know it might make you look bad."

She explained quietly.

"It's fine—you do what you need to."

After saying it, I realized that sounded too cold, so I added,

"This food is amazing, by the way."

Aurora's apologetic expression broke into a smile.

"Thank you!"

That night, Aurora naturally stayed in the guest room.

I tossed and turned in bed, replaying last life's events in my head.

Thinking about Aurora's terrible accident and then her gentle, thoughtful ways, I found myself wanting to stop her from dying.

I could've just ignored it, but Mom always said good deeds come back around.

And Aurora was definitely one of the good ones.

Someone this good didn't deserve to die.

I jumped out of bed and ran to the guest room door, knocking hard.

"What is it?"

"Aurora—"

"Aurora—"

I panted, out of breath from getting up so fast.

"Do you want to come in?"

Seeing me in my pajamas, her eyes filled with concern.

"No!"

I looked down at myself and quickly shook my head.

"Be careful tomorrow!"

"Check the car your assistant prepared—thoroughly."

Aurora looked confused, which made sense. No one would believe such a random warning.

But if Aurora didn't believe me, it could cost her life!

I grabbed her shoulders, dead serious, practically begging.

"Don't get in that car. Whatever you do, don't get in that car!"

Seeing how worked up I was, Aurora reluctantly agreed.

Back in my room, I checked the mirror and realized I looked like a mess.

The next morning, I woke up to find breakfast on the table.

It was cold, so Aurora must have left hours ago.

I unlocked my phone to find a bunch of texts from her.

"Breakfast's on the table—eat it."

"Cold food's bad for your stomach. Microwave's on the cream cabinet in the kitchen."

After seven, she sent a few more updates.

"Car had issues. Called the police—waiting for them to sort it out."

"Safely on the plane! No need to worry :)"

I must have seemed crazy yesterday. She probably explained everything to keep me from panicking.

Her earlier messages were polite, almost formal.

I meant to reply with a simple "Okay," but that felt too short. I thought about a thumbs-up emoji instead.

Of course, my finger slipped and I sent an "I love you" emoji by mistake.

Before I could unsend it, her reply popped up: "Okay, okay :)"

I wanted to die right then and there.