I froze, my breath trembling as tears streamed down my cheeks. I stared at Richard, my heart pounding like I was seeing a ghost.
"How is this possible?" I whispered.
He leaned closer, closing his eyes—ready to kiss me. But I didn't move. I turned away, ignoring him completely, and faced the crowd behind me. That was when I saw something even stranger.
Through the rain of confetti and flower petals, I spotted my mother seated in the front row. She was clapping and cheering wildly. My brother and sister flanked her, all smiling, all applauding—as if they actually supported me marrying Richard.
"This didn't happen... My family was never here," I muttered under my breath. Then I looked up—and froze.
There I was. Standing far behind the crowd, staring at me. She looked exactly
