~Fallon~The dining room table was drowning in wedding plans. Fabric swatches, floral arrangement samples, and endless seating charts covered every inch of the polished wood surface.And Reid?Nowhere to be found.I stared at the chaos before me, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. For weeks, I had been the one juggling meetings with the planner, answering endless emails, and making every single decision about this wedding.Our wedding.Except Reid had barely lifted a finger.The sound of the front door clicking shut broke my train of thought.“Finally,” I muttered under my breath.Reid’s heavy footsteps echoed through the hall, and moments later, he appeared, looking entirely too composed for a man walking into a battlefield. He loosened his tie and glanced at the table, his brows lifting slightly.“Busy day?” he asked casually.I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “You think?”He ignored my tone and strolled over, picking up a seating chart. “Who’s this… Lillian St.
~Fallon~The soft chime of the boutique’s doorbell greeted me as I stepped inside, the scent of fresh roses and vanilla filling the air. Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over racks of satin, lace, and tulle.I felt the weight of it immediately—this was the moment. The one every little girl supposedly dreams of. Only, my dream had never looked like this.“Miss Prescott,” the sales associate greeted with a bright smile. “Welcome to Maison Leclerc. We’re honored to help you find your dress today.”I managed a polite nod, my palms already clammy.The only person more excited than the boutique staff was, of course, her.Mrs. Callahan—Evelyn—floated in like she owned the place, her eyes twinkling as they met mine. “Fallon, darling! I just know today is going to be magical!”I fought the urge to bolt.Instead, I plastered on a smile. “Let’s hope so.”Truth be told, I wasn’t even sure why I was here. This wasn’t a wedding built on love—it was a contract
~Reid~The sound of billiard balls cracking against each other echoed through the private lounge, accompanied by the low hum of jazz from the overhead speakers.I lined up my next shot, calculating the angle as the familiar voice behind me broke the silence.“You’re overthinking it.”Without looking up, I replied, “I always think.”“You always overthink,” my best friend, Luke Hayes, countered, leaning lazily against his pool cue with a smirk. “Maybe that’s why you suck at this game.”With a sharp tap, I sent the cue ball gliding across the green felt. It clipped the corner of the solid three ball—just barely—sending it into the pocket.I straightened, giving him a pointed look. “Still winning, aren’t I?”Luke chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. Remind me again how you manage to beat me without ever having fun?”I ignored his jab and chalked my cue. “Are you here to lose, or to lecture me?”“Both,” he shot back easily. “And to find out why you’ve been so goddamn tense lately.”I glanced up at him,
~Fallon~The ballroom at the Callahan estate was breathtaking—white orchids cascading from towering centerpieces, the soft flicker of candlelight casting everything in a golden glow. It was perfect.And I hated every inch of it.Not because it wasn’t beautiful—it was. But because it felt like I was starring in a play I hadn’t auditioned for. A dress rehearsal for a wedding that, in every way that mattered, wasn’t real.I barely had time to gather myself before Evelyn appeared, radiant with excitement. “Fallon, darling! You look stunning!”I forced a smile. “You outdid yourself, Evelyn. This is… incredible.”She beamed, squeezing my hands. “I just want everything to be perfect for you two. The press is already buzzing—‘The Wedding of the Year,’ they’re calling it.”I fought the urge to cringe. Of course they were.Evelyn’s eyes sparkled. “Now, all you and Reid have to do is enjoy yourselves. And remember,” she added with a wink, “tonight’s about showing everyone what a perfect match yo
~Fallon~The bass from the speakers thumped so hard I felt it in my chest. Multicolored lights flashed across the room, casting everything in a wild, electric glow.I didn’t know how Mia managed it, but she had somehow rented out an exclusive rooftop lounge and turned it into a private party that screamed her. Bright balloons, a custom neon sign that read Fallon’s Final Fling, and a bar fully stocked with my favorite cocktails.I should’ve known she would go all out.“Surprise, bride-to-be!” Mia’s voice cut through the music as she bounded over, her face practically glowing with excitement.I gaped, taking it all in. “Mia, what is this?”She grinned wickedly. “It’s your bachelorette party, obviously. And before you start, no—there’s no escape.”I shook my head with a laugh. “You’re insane.”“And you love me for it.” She shoved a drink into my hand—a pink concoction that smelled like it could knock me flat. “Now, let’s get you properly celebrated!”The Chaos BeginsMia had invited a mi
~Fallon~The morning air was thick with the scent of roses and jasmine, the entire Callahan estate buzzing with the chaos of final preparations. Soft music floated in from the garden, where rows of pristine white chairs faced an altar wrapped in ivory silk and fresh blooms.It was everything a bride could dream of.But my chest felt tight—like I couldn’t breathe.I sat before a massive mirror, my reflection almost unfamiliar. The stylist pinned the final strands of my hair into an elegant updo, soft tendrils framing my face. My makeup was flawless—dewy skin, soft blush, and lips painted in the palest rose.I looked… perfect.But inside, I felt anything but.The gentle knock on the door barely registered before it opened.“Fallon?”I turned, and there stood my mother.Her expression softened the second her eyes met mine. She was radiant, dressed in an emerald gown that complemented her olive skin, her dark curls pinned up elegantly. But it was her eyes—warm and familiar—that nearly und
~Fallon~The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of blush and gold as Reid and I stepped into the grand reception tent. The soft hum of string instruments welcomed us, the air thick with the scent of roses and champagne.Applause erupted the moment we entered, guests rising to their feet in celebration. Cameras flashed, capturing our every move.I felt Reid’s hand on mine—firm, steady.The perfect couple.The perfect lie.His touch still burned. It was going to take some getting used to especially as we would have to keep up appearances for a long time. The applause faded as the lights dimmed, a single spotlight warming the polished dance floor. The soft notes of a familiar song floated through the air.Reid’s voice was low beside my ear. “Ready for the show, Mrs. Callahan?”My breath hitched at the name—a title I hadn’t quite made peace with.But I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze with a smirk. “Lead the way, Mr. Callahan.”His lips quirked slightly before his
~Fallon~The hotel suite was breathtaking—floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the glittering city skyline, a grand canopy bed draped in soft white linen, and the faint scent of jasmine lingering in the air.It was everything a couple could want for their wedding night except I wasn’t sure I could breathe.The door clicked shut behind us, and suddenly, the room felt too quiet.I was hyper-aware of every sound—my heels clicking against the polished floors, the soft rustle of my gown, and Reid’s steady, measured footsteps just behind me.I stopped by the window, my fingers grazing the cool glass as the city lights sparkled below.Reid’s voice, low and smooth, broke the silence. “Nice view.”I swallowed. “Yeah.”I felt him near me but not touching—just close enough for his presence to heat the air.But it wasn’t the view making my chest tight. It was the weight of everything unsaid.The wedding had been exhausting—a parade of smiles, champagne, and perfectly staged momen
~Fallon~ The invitation arrived on heavy cardstock, embossed and impossibly elegant — just like everything in the Callahan orbit.The Bennett Foundation Annual GalaI barely had time to process it before my phone buzzed with a text from Reid.Reid: We’re expected. Be ready by seven.That was it. No “please,” no “are you okay with this?” — just an order, like always.My fingers tightened around my phone, irritation sparking in my chest.I was so tired of feeling like an afterthought.When the stylist showed up with an entire rack of couture gowns, I almost told her not to bother. I wanted to rebel — to throw on jeans and a t-shirt and see how Reid liked it.But the Callahan name had expectations. And I knew how to play my part.So I chose a sleek, black satin dress that clung in all the right places and left my back bare. The fabric whispered against my skin with every step, and when I slipped on diamond drop earrings and heels high enough to be dangerous, I looked like the perfect bi
~Fallon~Days passed. Then a week.And I barely saw my supposed husband.It was almost impressive—the way Reid managed to disappear without ever technically leaving. The house was massive, sprawling in every direction, but it still felt like a skill. Like he knew exactly how to avoid me without making it obvious.His side of the mansion stayed quiet. The heavy door to his office remained closed more often than not, and when I passed by, I sometimes caught the low murmur of his voice—clipped conversations that never involved me.And when I didn’t hear him at all—The silence was worse.We fell into a strange rhythm—two people sharing a home without ever really occupying it together.Reid left early. I’d hear the sound of his footsteps in the hallway before sunrise, the soft click of the front door closing behind him. By the time I finally wandered into the kitchen, his coffee mug was already rinsed and gone, his presence reduced to a faint trace of cologne lingering in the air.I staye
~Fallon~The sound of the front door opening echoed through the house, and I froze.He was back.For a second, I couldn’t breathe. My fingers tightened around the phone in my hand, but I didn’t look at the screen. My eyes stayed locked on the hallway outside my bedroom, and I listened.Footsteps. Slow, steady, unhurried. The sound of his shoes against the marble floors sent an ache through my chest — one I refused to name. I heard his voice a moment later, low and calm as he spoke to one of the staff. He didn’t sound tired. He didn’t sound…anything.Then — silence.I waited. I told myself I wasn’t, but I did. I waited for the sound of his steps moving toward me. For the knock on my door. For his voice saying my name.But it never came.He didn’t come looking for me.The minutes stretched out, the quiet in the house growing heavier with each one. My pulse slowed. My grip on the phone loosened.And I told myself this was a good thing. That I didn’t want to see him. That I didn’t care.B
~Fallon~The mansion felt colder when Reid wasn’t in it.Not that I cared.I kept telling myself that.The silence was a blessing — no arguments, no clipped conversations, no lingering looks I didn’t want to think about. No pretending. Just peace.And yet, the emptiness pressed down harder than it should have. It stretched through every inch of the house, filling the polished rooms and pristine hallways with a quiet that felt heavy instead of restful. The house was too big, too elegant — and without the sharp edge of Reid’s presence, it felt like a museum. Beautiful and hollow.But that was a good thing. It was what I wanted.At least that’s what I told myself as I wandered into the kitchen for a late-night snack. The clock on the wall read just after midnight, and the cool marble floors sent a shiver up my spine. I moved on instinct, grabbing a glass from the cabinet and a bottle of water from the fridge, trying not to think about the ache of the quiet.I shouldn’t miss his voice.Or
~Fallon~The Callahan estate was as intimidating as ever.All glass and stone and old money elegance, sitting at the edge of a perfectly manicured lawn that stretched on for acres. The kind of house where everything felt too pristine to touch — too polished, too perfect.Too easy to break.And today —It felt like a trap.My heels clicked against the marble floors as I stepped inside the grand foyer. The place always smelled faintly of roses and old wood, the scent so familiar it felt like stepping into another life — one I’d never quite fit into.“Fallon, darling!”Evelyn Callahan’s voice rang out like music, warm and welcoming as ever. She swept toward me with that effortless grace, her arms outstretched, her designer silk dress flowing as if she were gliding. The hug was light and perfumed, like everything about her — delicate but calculated.“I’m so glad you could come,” she said, pulling back with a beaming smile. Her perfectly styled blonde hair didn’t move an inch.“Of course,”
~Reid~Switzerland was colder than I remembered. Or maybe it was just me.The glass-walled conference room overlooked Lake Geneva, its icy surface reflecting the pale winter sun. Beyond it, the snow-capped Alps stood sharp against a cloudless blue sky — beautiful, imposing, unmoving.It should’ve been calming. Impressive, even.But all I felt was restless.Because my phone sat face-down on the table, and I was forcing myself not to check it.“Mr. Callahan?”I looked up, masking my distraction with practiced ease. My expression was unreadable — the kind I’d perfected over years of negotiations and high-stakes deals.“Go on,” I said coolly.The man across from me — some European financier with too much confidence and not enough leverage — shifted nervously under my gaze. The room was warm, but I watched a bead of sweat slip down his temple.Good.That meant I still had the upper hand.“We’re prepared to move forward with the terms you outlined,” he said, his voice carefully measured. “B
~Fallon~The house felt too big without him.Which was ridiculous.Reid and I barely spent time together when he was home, moving around each other like polite strangers. Separate rooms, separate lives. We’d mastered the art of coexistence — the kind where you shared space but not warmth. The kind where silence was easier than words.But now that he was gone —I felt the absence everywhere.It was in the cool, empty side of the bed in his bedroom that hadn’t been touched in days. In the faint, lingering scent of his cologne on the jacket he’d left draped over the chair. In the echo of my own footsteps on the marble floors, where his used to fall in rhythm beside mine even when we were fighting — as usual.The silence wasn’t peaceful. It was deafening.I told myself not to care. But that was a lie.Work Doesn’t HelpI threw myself into work, desperate for distraction.I set up my camera in the sun-drenched bathroom, arranging products in perfect symmetry on the counter. The lighting wa
~Fallon~The text came through just as I was finishing an edit—short, casual, and completely infuriating.Reid: Out of town for a few days. Don’t wait up.I stared at the screen, my fingers tightening around my phone. That was it? No conversation, no explanation—just a six-word text like I was his assistant and not his wife.The anger came first—hot and immediate. Then came the hurt, creeping in quietly behind it, unwelcome but impossible to ignore.I shouldn’t care.But I did.And I hated that.I put my phone down and tried to refocus on the article I was editing, but the words blurred together. My mind kept circling back to him, to the way he’d slipped so easily out of my life with barely a parting word. We’d never pretended this marriage was anything more than a business arrangement, but lately, the lines had gotten… fuzzy.There had been moments—soft, unexpected ones—where it felt like something real. The late-night conversations, the quiet looks across a crowded room, the way his
~Reid~I should’ve known better than to agree to brunch.But my mother had called, and my father had insisted, and I’d caved—because years of experience had taught me that saying no to Evelyn Callahan only delayed the inevitable. And so here I was, seated at a too-fancy table in one of their favorite private clubs, already regretting every life choice that had led me here.The air smelled like fresh pastries and subtle wealth. Soft piano music played in the background. Everything was pristine, polished, and far too bright for a Sunday morning after the week I’d had.My mother, Evelyn Callahan, was practically glowing. “Oh, darling, married life suits you,” she said, beaming as she reached across the table to straighten my tie.I resisted the urge to sigh. “Good to know.”“And Fallon—oh, she’s just thriving,” my mom continued, her eyes sparkling. “That kiss at the gala—my heart!”My father, Charles, cleared his throat, looking like he very much wanted to be anywhere else. “Evelyn—”“Oh