At the bridal shop, I saw fresh dark marks across my sister’s back. She whispered, “If I cancel, his father will ruin us.” I kissed her cheek and said, “Then we won’t cancel.” But by morning, the groom had no idea who was waiting at the aisle.

judges, and silence for years. Elian stood beside him, handsome and hollow, his hand resting too tightly on Mara’s waist.

When I walked in, Victor lifted his glass.

“Ah, Clara,” he said. “The difficult sister.”

A few guests laughed, because wealthy cowards always know when to laugh on command.

I smiled.

“I prefer observant.”

Elian leaned toward me.

“Try continue reading …