Chapter2

This time, I just sat in the makeup chair and watched Brooke fall into Julian's arms.

And this time, I didn't miss what flashed in his eyes.

He wanted her.

But only for a second. Then he glanced at me, pushed her away, and his face went hard.

"That's not funny. Apologize to my wife, get that off her face, and redo it."

"Don't bother."

I picked up a makeup wipe and rubbed at my forehead.

Two swipes. The letters didn't fade at all.

Waterproof industrial marker. She'd really committed this time.

I tossed the wipe in the trash and stopped trying.

Julian let out a visible breath of relief and patted Brooke on the shoulder.

"Well? Thank my wife. She's nice enough not to hold this against you..."

"Julian." I cut him off. "Don't bother redoing it. The wedding's off."

He stared at me for a few seconds. Then he laughed.

"Babe, that's not funny either."

"I'm not joking."

I stood up and reached for the zipper at my back. This Vera Wang had been custom-ordered from the New York atelier. We'd waited eight months for it.

I stepped out of it and dropped it on the chair.

"The wedding's off. We're done."

I pulled on my own jacket and headed for the door.

"Hannah!"

Julian finally caught on. He grabbed my wrist, his jaw tight.

"Over a makeup artist's prank? Are you serious?"

His beautiful eyes were full of hurt.

"Babe, don't do this. We planned this for a year. There are two hundred guests out there. You can't just..."

I yanked my hand free. Everyone was watching. I didn't care.

"Julian, you know exactly why this wedding isn't happening."

"I'm giving you a chance to be with the person you actually love. You should be thanking me."

I thought he'd panic.

He didn't. He just looked at me like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Hannah, what are you talking about? Everyone knows you're the one I love."

He pointed at Brooke.

"Is this about her? I had no idea she was going to pull something like this. I already made her apologize. If that's not enough, I'll have her escorted out right now."

Brooke covered her face and ran out crying.

Julian didn't even glance after her. He only looked at me.

"Is that good enough?"

I didn't answer.

The door opened again. Julian's parents walked in.

Margaret Ashford wore a Chanel suit and a smile without a single crack in it.

"Hannah, dear. Julian has apologized. Let's not give the guests a show, all right?"

She paused, and her voice went even softer.

"I only want to remind you who performed your mother's surgery, and who pays for that private suite she's in every month. I'm sure you're a girl who knows how to be grateful."

It slid in like a needle, right under my ribs.

My mother's stroke was Brooke's doing.

Two years ago, at my wedding to Tyler, she put photos of herself in bed with Tyler up on the big screen in the ballroom.

Then she took Tyler's hand and walked out with him in front of every single guest.

My mother collapsed right there on the floor.

When my dad died, he left me a life insurance payout. In college, I gave half of it to Brooke for tuition. The rest went to my mother's emergency care and the first few months of her treatment.

When the money ran out, I brought my mother from Ohio to Boston, to one of the best neurosurgeons in the country. Julian Ashford.

Those afternoons at her follow-ups. Those nights he waited for me outside her room. I thought that was love.

I understood exactly what Margaret meant. For the Ashfords, appearances were everything.

If I embarrassed them today, my mother would be out of that suite tomorrow.

"Mom."

Julian cut her off gently.

"Hannah's my wife. Her family is my family. It's the least I can do."

He turned to me, his voice low, almost begging.

"Babe, do it for your mom. Just not today, okay?"

I dug my nails into my palm. Then I put on a hurt little face.

"Julian, do you really not know that makeup artist? She whispered to me that you're the one who told her to do this to my face. To get back at me for her. That's the only reason I got so upset."

The room went silent for a second.

The guests who'd been looking at me like I was crazy suddenly looked at me very differently.

The corner of Julian's mouth twitched. Then he smiled, very gently.

"She's lying, babe. She's just jealous of you."

When I didn't say anything, he sighed.

"I'll call her agency and file a complaint right now. Okay?"

That's when I finally smiled.

"Then promise me something."

"If there's anything going on between you two, if you ever cheat on me, we get a divorce."

Julian raised one hand like a Boy Scout taking an oath.

"I promise."

Everyone laughed.

"Hannah, you're overthinking it. Julian only has eyes for you."

Outside the door, Brooke's face flashed past. She was watching me. I knew that look too well.

I pretended not to see it.

My bridesmaids found the heaviest concealer they could and layered it on until the words were gone.

I put the dress back on, took Julian's arm, and got through the wedding.

The vows. The first dance. Cutting the cake. Every step exactly like last time.

After the reception, I went upstairs to change. The second I opened the door to the suite, someone pressed a damp cloth over my nose and mouth from behind.

This time, I was ready.