Aria's POV
The dull impact exploded behind me. I didn't even feel the pain of my back hitting the altar. The sound of my brother's photo hitting the floor cut through everything else.
Time seemed to stop.
Suddenly, every memory came flooding back.
'I can stop assigning you bodyguards, but if anything happens, you have to tell me.'
Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.
'You're way too old to be doing pinky promises... Okay, okay. Forever and ever, no take-backs.'
"Forever and ever, no take-backs..." The pain in my body disappeared. My voice came out raw and broken.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, collapsing onto the floor, completely drained. "I'm so sorry, Joshua. This is all my fault. I couldn't even protect your photo..."
I was wrong about everything.
"Joshua, pl
