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Chapter 2
July 1st.
It was a date etched deep into Nina’s memory.
Her birthday.
And three years ago, it was the night Julian proposed to her.
She knew she’d never forget it—not in this lifetime.
The flickering glow of birthday candles danced across the dark room. The cake had her favorite constellations drawn in white frosting, like stars scattered across a galaxy.
Twenty–three–year–old Julian had knelt before her, nervous but determined, laying everything he had at her feet.
“This is the title to my car,” he said. “And this is the deed to my condo. This card–every cent I’ve saved.”
The candlelight cast soft shadows across his youthful face. He took a deep breath and looked up at her with all the courage he could
muster.
“I used to think the timing had to be perfect–the place, the setup, the speech. But now I know, the only thing that matters is you. I know you’ve always dreamed of coming to Aspenridge… but I can’t wait anymore. We could get married here. Today, right now, I just need to ask-”
“Nina Carter, will you marry
me?”
That memory played out in her mind now, frame by frame.
And here they were again, in Aspenridge, just like they once promised.
Only this time, Julian was walking toward marriage-
and she, toward death.
Nina looked at him across the hospital corridor. It was still the same face, but it carried none of the warmth she remembered.
She took a deep breath.
Tears swelled like a tide inside her chest, but not a single one touched her eyes.
She smiled.
“Congratulations,” she said softly. “I hope you’ll be happy.”
The wind rushed through the corridor, howling down the halls.
She wasn’t sure who it was crying for.
After leaving the hospital, Nina walked to the clinic to submit her final documents,
The receptionist took the folder and glanced behind her.
“You know… for the procedure, a family member or companion is usually present.”
He hesitated when he noticed there was no one standing behind her.
Nina gave a small nod. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
The receptionist sighed quietly but didn’t argue.
“You’ve got three days left. Just… enjoy them as best you can.”
She nodded again and walked out into the cold afternoon.
On her way back, her phone buzzed.
Julian.
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Nina froze, staring at the screen for several seconds before finally answering.
He didn’t say anything at first. All she could hear was the faint sound of breathing.
Even that was enough to make her eyes sting.
She hated how easily her body betrayed her.
She swallowed hard, then whispered, “Julian…”
A second later, a different voice cut through. Bright. Sweet. Icy.
“Not him–it’s me!”
Samantha.
Nina’s heart sank.
It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her.
She stiffened. “Sorry… what’s going on?”
Samantha sounded as bubbly as ever. “Julian and I are going wedding dress shopping tomorrow, but he’s terrible with fashion and I don’t really have any girlfriends here. Could you come help me pick one out?”
Nina gripped the phone tighter.
The first word that came to her lips was no. She almost said it.
“I-”
But she was interrupted.
Julian’s voice came through the line, flat and firm. “Tomorrow. Ten a.m. I’ll send you the location.”
The call ended.
Just like that, no room to refuse.
A few seconds later, a text came through.
An address. A wire transfer of $800.
And one short message: [Compensation. I just don’t want Samantha upset. Rlease.]
Nina stared at the message for a long time.
Then she typed out a single word: [Okay.]
The next morning, Nina arrived at the boutique as promised.
She sat silently on the couch, watching Samantha flip through bridal catalogs like a kid picking candy. Each time she held up a gown, she asked Julian what he thought.
He nodded every time. “Looks great.”
Soft, patient, smiling–like the perfect fiancé.
Nina stared blankly, her hands clenching in her lap.
It took her a second to realize what memory was rising in her chest like a wave.
Julian used to do the exact same thing for her.
He once brought her a folder of bridal gowns and said, half–joking, that no matter what she picked, he’d make sure she’d be the most beautiful bride the world had ever seen.
The way he looked at her then… it could’ve drowned her.
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And maybe it had.
She’d fallen so deep into those eyes that she really believed they’d make it to the altar.
And now here she was–just the ex. Watching from the sidelines as someone else tried on her dream.
The ache in her chest grew unbearable. She turned her head to avoid watching.
But Samantha wasn’t done.
She stood up, holding out a photo from the catalog. “His taste is terrible. This one’s gorgeous, but he hates it for some reason. You be the tie–breaker–what do you think?”
Nina lowered her gaze–and froze.
She recognized the gown immediately.
It was the exact dress she once told Julian was her favorite. Classic cut, flowing tulle, embroidered stars along the train…
So that’s why he rejected it.
Because it had once been hers.
The words slipped out before she could stop them. “You remember-
“Remember what?” Julian interrupted, voice neutral.
He raised a brow and said flatly, “I just think the design’s outdated.”
Nina stared at him.
There was no softness in his eyes. Not even a flicker of recognition.
She nodded, numb. “Right. Outdated.”
The dress was outdated.
She was outdated.
She tried to smile–to act like none of it mattered–but her lips wouldn’t lift.
She bowed her head instead, hiding the crack in her expression.
And that’s when she felt the sudden sting in her nose.
A hot, metallic warmth trickled out before she could stop it.
She looked down–and saw a drop of bright red blood splatter across the photo in her lap.
Frozen in place, she reached for a tissue-
But Julian was already on his feet.
“What the hell’s going on?”
Chapter 2
