Chapter one: The anniversary
Chelsea Manchester stood in front of the mirror, turning sideways to check the free fall
of her dress one more time. The deep crimson of the silk glittered against the light from
the vanity bulbs, and for a moment, she let herself really look at the woman staring
back at her.
It's been two years.
Two years with Rai.
The absolute love of her life.
Two years of building a steady, chosen life that was hers, something she'd never quite
had before.
"You're glowing and your dress is chef’s kiss." her step-sister Vanessa said from the
doorway, with her arms crossed, and a soft smile on her face. "Rai sure is one lucky
man."
"Girl, please. I'm shy already," Chelsea chuckled, reaching for her earrings. "You're
going to make me cry before I even get downstairs."
"But I mean it." Vanessa chuckled as she crossed the room and adjusted the strap of
Chelsea's dress, her fingers light and careful, the way an older sister might — even
though they'd only ever been sisters on paper, joined by their parents' marriage rather
than blood.
"You've gotten to enjoy two years of a love that actually lasts. Do you know how many
people don't get this?"
Chelsea smiled at her question, warmth spreading through her chest. Vanessa had
never been the easiest person to read — there was always something a little too
watchful and composed about her — but tonight, she seemed genuinely happy and
present.
And Chelsea let herself believe it. "Well… I should get downstairs," Vanessa said, checking
her watch. "Someone has to
make sure the caterers don't ruin the cake before the toast.
" She pressed a quick kiss to
Chelsea's cheek. "Take your time and don't forget to make an entrance.
Tonight's yours."
" Vanessa,” she called, her sister turned midway.
"Thank you. Really." Chelsea said, meaning it more than the words could hold. "For all of
this. For helping me get ready."
"You're welcome hun. Always." Vanessa smiled once more from the doorway, then
disappeared down the hall, her heels clicking fast against the floor — faster, if Chelsea
had been paying attention, than a woman simply heading to check on a cake.
But she wasn't paying attention. She was too busy admiring her own reflection, too
busy feeling like her life had finally settled into place.
By the time Chelsea made it downstairs, the party was already in full swing. There were
string lights wrapped through the trees along the pool deck, wine glasses clinked and
glittered with sparkling wine and laughter rose over a low hum of music. Rai had spared
no expense — he never did — and now watching it all unfold, Chelsea felt peace settle
warm and certain in her chest.
This was her life.
PThis was real.
She slithered through the crowd for the better part of the hour, accepting
congratulations, laughing at half-heard jokes while scanning the party for Rai's face.
She didn't find it.
Near the bar, she found Jack instead. He was her closest friend outside the relationship
and the one person who'd known her long before any of this, back when she was just a
girl trying to survive her stepfather's house.
"Have you seen Rai?" she asked, half-distracted, glancing past his shoulder.
"No. Not recently," Jack said, then remembered something.
"Although, Vanessa mentioned he seemed a little overwhelmed earlier, thought he
might've gone inside. The private lounge, maybe. She said to let you know if I saw you."
Chelsea softened. "Thanks, Jack."
"Girl, please go easy on him." Jack grinned, already taking a deep swig of whiskey. "It's
a big night for both of you."
She let a few more minutes pass, finishing a conversation with one of Rai's cousins,
forcing a smile through congratulations she barely heard. When she finally excused
herself and made her way toward the house, the noise of the party fell away behind
her, swallowed by the quiet of the hallway.
The corridor toward the private lounge was dim, lit up only by a few low wall sconces,
her heels clicking softly against the marble floor with each step. She should have felt
nervous but she didn't. All she felt was a small, nagging worry — that something might
be wrong and he might need her.
She got to the lounge door and could hear laughter spilling faintly back at the party,
distant and warm, a world away from the quiet hallway she stood in now.
Her hand found the door handle. She turned it without a second thought, already
rehearsing the soft, teasing thing she would say when she found him hiding in there
alone.
As the door swung open…
She never got the chance to say anything at all.
