Page 4 of Closer

“Bellissima. You look beautiful,” Ricarda arranges my veil and gives me a bouquet.

White roses mixed with baby’s breath—simple, elegant, exactly as I’d envisioned. But now the flowers are heavy weights pulling me down.

The thought of walking down that aisle, of binding myself to Jason, fills me with an unspeakable dread.

I grip the bouquet harder, the rough stems digging into my skin as I fight back the sting of tears.

The alternative is disappointing everyone. And the one I want is gone.

The one person who isn’t here, the one person I wish could make everything right again.

Sebastian.

Just thinking his name makes my chest ache.

Maybe it’s not too late.

Chapter3

Sebastian

I get closer, hearing her voice—soft, almost breaking.

Lil. My Lil.

My princess.

I inch closer, careful to stay hidden, catching a glimpse of her through the window.

There she stands, a vision in ivory lace and silk, her veil cascading down her back. Breathtakingly beautiful, even with her eyes haunted and tired, staring at her reflection.

She’s still the same girl I fell for all those years ago. The same girl I can’t seem to let go of. Still my—

“Bellissima. You look beautiful.” A small brown-haired woman arranges her veil with a critical eye, handing her the bouquet.

What if I take his place? And she walks down the aisle toward me. Vowing to me. Wearing my ring.

But that’s not my reality. She chose him. Chose this life without me. A future without me in it.

I melt into the wall, obscured in the shadows, and a tightness builds in my chest. I should leave, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from her. She has always been my weakness.

My princess.

The one I lost.

She clutches the bouquet tighter, her shoulders slumping.

I want to burst through the doors, sweep her into my arms, and tell her to run away with me. Leave all this bullshit behind and start over. The two of us.

“It’s time.” The woman with brown hair takes her arm.

No, it’s not, Karen. Go away.

She clears her throat pointedly. “I really must insist we begin soon, Signorina. Everyone is waiting.”

Lil nods mutely, the veil falling forward. The other woman reaches to fix it, but Lil swats her hand away.

“Can I have a moment, please?” Lil asks.

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