Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The wedding was held at an estate filled with flowers. White roses climbed up the bamboo frames on both sides of the carpet.

I sat near the edge of the stage, wearing a black cocktail dress. Black absorbs light—even though the sun was shining on me, my heart felt cold as ice.

The wedding march started playing. The bride’s father walked her down the aisle, holding her hand. He wiped away tears as he said a few words, then placed her hand in the groom’s.

After he left, the bride turned around and stood side by side with my brother Ryan Wilson on the stage.

I was close enough to see her face clearly—and as I’d expected, the bride was Linda Brown.

My heart started pounding wildly, and cold sweat poured down my back. This familiar, terrifying face had haunted my nightmares countless times...

The pastor’s mouth moved, but his words sounded distant and unclear. I watched Linda Brown and Ryan Wilson smile brightly on stage. My fingers tightened around the edge of my dress, my nails digging into my palm.

A relative sitting next to me tapped my shoulder.

I snapped back to my senses. “What’s wrong?”

“Nina, it’s your turn to go up and give them the rings,” she said, handing me a red velvet ring box.

I stood up and walked toward the stage.

Take your time, I thought. Evil deserves evil—and your time is almost up.