0001.

Tilda's POV.

I stood before the mirror, adjusting the delicate lace veil over my hair, which flowed down my back like a dark, silken waterfall. The satin gown clung to my body in all the right ways, making me feel like I had stepped out of a dream. My heart pounded in my chest but in the best way possible. Several emotions flooded my veins as I stared at my reflection - happiness and excitement.

"Today's the day," I whispered to myself, barely believing the words.

My breath hitched as I took in the sight of myself, a bride. After everything Wyatt and I had been through, the ups and downs, it was finally happening. I was marrying the love of my life.

I twirled lightly, squealing a little. The gown swirled around me as I clenched my fists in excitement.

"I’m ready," I whispered to myself, feeling a rush of giddiness rising in my chest. "I'm ready to say 'I do'."

The door creaked open, and Aunt Tina stepped inside. Her face was gentle, but the sorrow in her eyes was obvious. I knew her too well. Instantly, I knew something was wrong. .

"Tilda," she began softly, hesitating just a moment, "we need to leave soon."

I turned to face her “Did Dad make it?” My voice was hopeful, but deep down, I already knew the answer. Aunt Tina’s slow shake of the head sent a feeling of sadness through my heart. I would have loved nothing more than for my dad to be here on my special day.

"I’m sorry, sweetheart," she whispered.

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the disappointment I felt.

"It’s okay," I murmured, though it wasn't.

How could my father miss this? But I knew. I knew his health had been failing for months. The long flight from home would be too much for his frail body. Still, I had hoped...

"I’ll send him pictures," I said, though the words tasted bitter on my tongue. My throat tightened, and my thoughts drifted to someone else who wasn’t here. Someone I desperately wished could be by my side. The thought made a small lump form in my throat.

"I miss Mom." My voice cracked as the lump in my throat grew heavier.

Aunt Tina crossed the room in an instant, wrapping me in a warm, tight embrace.

"She’s watching over you, darling. She’s here," Aunt Tina whispered into my hair, her voice trembling. "And she wants you to promise her something."

I pulled back slightly "Promise her?"

"Promise her that you'll stay alive, Tilda," Aunt Tina said softly "That you’ll live to see your children grow up. Unlike your mom… and grandma, who left us too soon."

I nodded, feeling the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. A tear slipped down my cheek, but I quickly brushed it away.

"I promise," I whispered "I’ll stay alive. I’ll be there for my children."

Aunt Tina smiled through her own tears, squeezing my hands. "That’s my brave girl."

As we left the room, I tried to shake off the bittersweet moment, pushing away the sadness that lingered in my heart. I had to focus on the day ahead. On Wyatt. My excitement bubbled up again, filling the space the sadness had tried to occupy.

I could already picture him standing at the altar. I could already envision his handsome face lighting up when he saw me in my dress. The thought made my heart skip a beat.

“Take a deep breath, Tilda,” I whispered to myself as we climbed into the car.

The short drive to the church felt like a blur. The world outside flashed by in muted colors. When we arrived, familiar faces greeted me—friends, colleagues from the hospital—but one face was missing.

Emily.

"Where’s Emily?" I asked Mabel, one of my bridesmaids, as we stood outside the church.

My voice was a little too high and filled with fear but I couldn't help it. My chest tightened with worry.

Mabel frowned, glancing around. "I haven’t seen her since this morning. She should be here by now, right?"

A wave of unease fell over me. Emily had never been one to be late, especially not today. My fingers fumbled as I pulled out my phone, dialing her number. It kept ringing but she didn't pick up. It went dtraight to voicemail.

"Something’s wrong," I murmured.

I couldn't help but feel the panic starting to spread in my chest.

"Tilda, what’s going on?" Aunt Tina appeared beside me, sensing my fear.

"Emily’s not here," I whispered, clutching my phone tightly. "She’s supposed to be here, but she’s not answering her phone."

Aunt Tina placed a hand on my arm. "I’m sure it’s nothing, sweetheart. Maybe she’s running late. Let me try calling her."

But even as she tried, I could see the worry growing in her eyes. The knot in my stomach tightened.

"We can’t wait any longer," Aunt Tina said gently after a few moments. "The guests and Wyatt are waiting."

I nodded, though my heart wasn’t in it. Something was wrong. But I couldn’t hold up the wedding. I swallowed my anxiety, picked another bridesmaid to step in for Emily, and followed Aunt Tina toward the church doors.

Just as we reached the entrance, the priest appeared with a troubled expression on his face. .

"Tilda," he called softly.

As soon as he said my name, the dread that had been at the edges of my mind grew even stronger.

"Where is Wyatt?" he asked "He hasn’t arrived."

My breath hitched. For a moment, I could swear that my heart stopped beating.

"What?!" I shrieked "That can’t be right. I spoke to him an hour ago—he was already at the church!"

The priest’s expression didn’t change. "We’ve been waiting for him for over an hour. No sign of him or his family."

The blood drained from my face. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. My heart pounded in my ears, and the room felt like it was closing in on me.

"Call him!" The priest’s words were urgent now, but my hands shook so badly I could barely dial Wyatt’s number. I called repeatedly but each time, I went straight to voicemail. .

Panic gripped my chest, squeezing tighter with every passing second. Emily was missing. Now Wyatt. What was going on?

Then, my phone buzzed.

It was a message. From Wyatt.

I opened it, my hands trembling, and the world fell away as I read the words.

Wyatt: "I’m sorry, Tilda. I couldn’t go through with it. I got Emily pregnant, and we’ve eloped. We’re already on our way abroad for our honeymoon. I hope you can move on."

Attached were photos of them. Wyatt. Emily. Smiling. Together. Newly married.

I couldn’t breathe. The phone slipped from my fingers, clattering to the ground. It felt like the breath had been knocked out of my lungs.

"No…" I whispered. My legs gave way beneath me as my world shattered around me.

Aunt Tina was at my side in an instant. Her arms wrapped around me as I collapsed into sobs.

"Tilda, what happened? What’s wrong?" she asked, her voice frantic, but I couldn’t answer. I could barely breathe.

"They got married," I whispered between gasps. "Wyatt and Emily... They’re married."

It felt as if someone brought my heart out and stepped on it. My lungs constricted and for a long time, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't even see anything. My vision started to get hazy and my limbs grew weaker by the second.

The voices of the priest and Aunt Tina faded into the background. I could barely focus on anything except for the painful ache in my chest.

And then, everything went black.