Josh stood at the altar, dressed in a crisp suit, speaking with the officiant.
Carrie clung to his arm, her eyes full of admiration and devotion.
When he saw me, he gently pulled away from her and started toward me.
Carrie hesitated, then grabbed his sleeve, looking up at him with teary eyes.
Josh reassured her softly. “Don’t worry. I promised you—I’ll marry you.”
Satisfied, she gave me a triumphant glance before letting go.
Josh stopped in front of me.
I handed him back his promise ring. “Congratulations, brother-in-law.”
At nineteen, Josh had fought underground matches to buy this ring, swearing he would marry me someday.
I wondered if that nineteen-year-old version of him would want to beat his future self to a pulp.
With a soft clink, the ring hit the floor.
Josh’s brows furrowed. He looked at me, as if struggling to explain—or maybe just delivering a verdict.
“Grace, don’t be difficult. You’re the one I love. But Carrie needs this wedding more than you do. I’ll make it up to you later.”
“No need.” I smiled faintly. “Unlike my dear sister, I don’t like secondhand trash.”
“Grace—”
Before Josh could finish, Nick’s voice rang out from across the room.
“Josh, the ceremony’s starting!”
Josh hesitated, then turned back to me.
“Wait for me, Grace. I’ll explain everything after this is over.”
He held my gaze for a moment, then took Carrie’s hand and walked away.
I stood there, alone.
A chill ran down my spine, and I shivered.
