Sixteen seconds

CHAPTER 1

Sarah had imagined this day since she thought of marrying Damian

Not the flowers.

Not the expensive hall

Not the expensive diamond glistening on her neck

Not even the custom-made dress that felt like expensive silk hanging perfectly against her skin.

No.

She imagined Damian standing at the altar, watching her while she walked down the like aisle like she was the most surreal thing he has ever known.

And for four years, he had proved to her that she was.

Until tonight.

“Ma’am?” the makeup artist called softly again. “Should I get someone?”

Sarah blinked quickly, locking her phone screen before the woman could accidentally see the video.

“No,” she whispered. “I’m good"

But even she could hear the lie in her voice.

Outside the suite, the wedding coordinator hurried past the hallway shouting instructions while distant music blast from the gigantic speakers. Guests were arriving. Glasses were clinking .Family members were taking pictures. Somewhere downstairs, her bridesmaids were probably panicking because she was taking too long.

Everything was moving on a normal pace.

Meanwhile, her entire world had crumbled.

Her chest tightened as she looked back down at her phone.

The unknown number had gone silent after the last text.

I’m downstairs. Come alone if you want the truth.

Sarah swallowed hard.

This could be fake.

Someone trying to spoil her big day

Someone jealous.

Maybe the video was old.

Maybe Damian was drunk.

Just maybe—

A tear slid down her cheek before she could stop it.

Deep down, she already knew.

A memory flashed through her mind suddenly.

Three weeks ago.

Damian had walked out onto the balcony during dinner to answer a phone call unlike him. When he returned, he smiled too quickly when she asked who it was.

“Work,” he had said quickly and changed the topic.

Yesterday morning, she had caught him deleting messages the second she walked into the room.

Then there was this floral cologne on his shirt two nights ago.

Not hers.

Her stomach dropped.

How had she ignored all of it?

Another knock sounded at the door.

This time gentler.

“Sarah?” her mother’s voice came through. “Sweetheart, it’s almost time.”

Sarah quickly wiped her face.

“I’ll be out soon!”

Silence followed for a few seconds before her mother spoke again.

“You sound nervous.”

Nervous.

If only that was all this was.

Sarah inhaled shakily and stood from the chair. Her knees almost gave out beneath the weight of the dress.

The room suddenly felt too small.

Too hot.

Too suffocating.

Her eyes drifted toward the door.

Then toward the hidden staircase exit at the back of the bridal suite.

The one leading downstairs.

To whoever sent the messages.

Her heartbeat thundered loudly in her ears.

One decision.

That was all it would take.

Walk down the aisle… or walk toward the truth.

And somehow, the truth felt far more terrifying.