Lily’s POV.
Today is the day of my pre-wedding ceremony. The words feel surreal, echoing in my mind as I stand before the mirror, dressed in an elegant gown that once would have felt like a dream. But the reflection that stares back at me is Stephanie’s face, not mine. The twist of fate that brought me here is as astonishing as it is cruel.
“I’m celebrating with Alaric,” I think, my heart pounding with a mix of joy and sorrow. “The man I’ve admired for so long, but he doesn’t see me—he sees Stephanie.” The thought is bittersweet, a reminder of the deception I’m forced to maintain.
The room buzzes with quiet activity as the final touches are put on my appearance. This isn’t the grand, elaborate ceremony I had once fantasized about, but it’s intimate and beautiful in its simplicity. “Perh
