Two hours later, Lena sat on her childhood bed, watching the door. The forum had one new notification. A private message from LostAndFound : “Proud of you. Now the real story begins.” Outside, tires crunched on gravel. Mia’s car. Lena took a breath. For the first time in six months, she wasn’t hiding. She was just a sister. Waiting for the storm.
That hit Lena like a gut punch. Because it was true. Growing up, Mia was the golden girl—valedictorian, effortlessly beautiful, the one their parents introduced first. Lena was just “Mia’s little sister.” Jake was the first person who ever looked at Lena and saw someone more than the shadow. The problem was that he was supposed to marry the sun. cheatingsis
Jake smiled, kissed her cheek like a brother would, and walked away. Two hours later, Lena sat on her childhood
“A technicality.” His hand brushed her lower back for half a second. “The plan hasn’t changed. Give me six months. I’ll leave her. We’ll go to Portland. Just like we said.” Now the real story begins
Jake stood at the altar, looking handsome in navy blue. When he saw Lena, his smile didn’t falter. He had that perfect poker face. But his pinky finger tapped twice against his thigh. Their signal. Tonight.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, close enough that his cologne—the same one he wore to their secret hotel meet-ups—wrapped around her.