Abby I arrive at the shopping center in the neighboring town, and the excitement bubbling inside me is almost palpable. The dress at the Alpha gathering reminded me just how much I used to love getting dressed up for fancy occasions. After Karl and I got divorced, the most I would really ever ge
I have savings, of course, but not enough to last forever. And with my restaurant being closed lately, I’ve been dipping into those savings. Buying a luxury gown and Venetian mask isn’t the wisest decision right now, but I just try to have faith that my restaurant will reopen soon and everything wil
Abby For a few long moments, I just sit there, my eyes wide with shock. My hands are so tightly wrapped around the steering wheel that my knuckles are pure white, and it takes almost all of my strength and willpower to peel my fingers back and release my grip on the wheel. “Okay,” I whisper with
Karl I sit in my office, the plans for the party shifting from a regular holiday gathering to a masquerade. The change feels refreshing, and much to my surprise, I find myself smiling as I work. The party is this weekend, which is only a few days away; I feel bad making it on such short notice,
Abby I had just turned eighteen, and I wasn’t expecting the words that my father had uttered. “Abby,” he had said, “we found your fated mate. You’ll be marrying him in the spring.” The emotions that had passed through my mind at that time had ranged from excitement to fury. Finding my fated ma
But my screams receive no response. I’m completely alone, alone with nothing but the snow and this stupid dress to keep my company. I huddle in the car, my teeth chattering as I try to conserve whatever warmth I have left. The sky is pitch black, and the howling wind outside only adds to the desol
Abby When I see the two bright beams of the headlights approaching, I don’t hesitate for a second. This might just be my chance to finally get out of here and get some help before I potentially freeze to death. I jump out of my car and wave my arms frantically, praying that whoever is driving th
Abby The truck plows on through the relentless blizzard, and my anxiety continues to mount with each passing second. The world outside the window is nothing but a white abyss, and I have no idea where we’re headed. Fear grips me the further we go, and I can’t shake the nagging feeling that I’m i
Abby Intrigued, I let Karl take my hand and lead me discreetly away from the reception, weaving through the tables and out a back door into the gardens. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as we giggle like teenagers, ducking behind hedges and scurrying across the lush green lawns. “Where are w
As the music shifts to a slow ballad, I feel a familiar pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “There’s my beautiful wife,” Karl’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He spins me around to face him, our bodies swaying in time to the soft music. I gaze up at him
Abby The reception hall is cast in a warm, romantic glow, with twinkling lights and the warm flickering of candles on every table. Soft music plays as Karl and I make our entrance, hand-in-hand to raucous applause and cheers from our guests. I can’t stop smiling as we wave to our loved ones gather
Abby The afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows of the chapel casts the stones in a warm golden light, giving everything a sort of ethereal energy. I stand in the hallway, my arm linked with Anton’s, as the wedding coordinator prepares everyone to walk down the aisle. “Are you ready
Abby As I sit in front of the vanity mirror with the hair and makeup artist circling around me, I meet my friends’ gazes in the reflection; Chloe, Leah, Daisy, and even Elsie are here as my bridesmaids, each of them looking more beautiful than the last. “The seamstress really did do a great job
Abby With a gasp of excitement, I pull the wedding gown out of its box and hold it up in the light. Everything is perfect; the way the beadwork catches the light, the silky texture, the shape. I can’t wait to try it on now that it’s been altered to fit my body. Quickly, I slip out of my clothe
Abby “Abby, why don’t you sit down?” Karl looks up at me from where he’s sitting on the sofa, a look of concern on his face. He pats the spot next to him, but I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, continuing to pace back and forth in our living room. “I won’t sit down until I hear back about that
Abby As I chop, stir, melt, and saute, the others stand around me, watching intently. The pasta simmers on the stove, the air smelling like warm butter and spices. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But my focus isn’t on the rumbling in my belly, nor is it even on the lingering pain in my
As we continue searching, I keep thinking back on our last harrowing hunt for black truffles; those poachers nearly shot us. Even now, I can still remember the sound of the bullets whizzing past my head, and the thuds they made when they careened into trees. “We got really lucky,” I say. “If we ha