CHAPTER 1: THE WORD SHE WASN’T SUPPOSED TO SAY
The little girl’s lips trembled.
Her eyes darted toward the bathroom door, as if even silence outside could hear her.
“She… she told me not to say names,” the girl whispered.
The groom stayed kneeling, trying to keep his voice steady. “You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you here. Just tell me what you can.”
The girl swallowed hard.
“Her,” she said finally. “The lady in the big white dress.”
The groom’s breath caught.
Outside the restroom, faint music swelled—string instruments warming up for the ceremony. A reminder that in just minutes, he would be standing at the altar.
He forced himself to speak. “You mean… my bride?”
The girl nodded once, then immediately shook her head as if she regretted it.
“She said I have to stay hidden until it’s done,” the girl continued, tears spilling again. “After that… everything changes.”
A cold weight settled in the groom’s chest.
“Everything changes how?” he asked.
But the girl suddenly flinched, covering her ears.
“I don’t know!” she cried. “I just know I’m not supposed to be seen!”
Footsteps echoed faintly outside the restroom door.
May you like
Both of them froze.
Someone was coming.
