Maybe from the rain, I ran a low fever that night, drifting through fevered dreams. Selena’s pack beating me until I couldn’t stand, her foot grinding into my face. Rowan cooking for me, watching movies together. Our first night, and countless others after.
Tears slid down my cheeks, but when I woke, my eyes were cold as ice.
The day of the ceremony was Grandma’s seventh day. At dawn, I took my suitcase to her grave. From there, I headed to the hospital to meet the healer team.
In the car, I checked the group chat, confirming details for the ceremony. Then I opened the bookmarked livestream.
On screen, a polished influencer greeted the audience. “Hey, everyone! We’re here at a binding ceremony, invited by the bride herself, streaming live…”
I stared at the phone, my clear eyes glintin
