~Brie~

“Baby, we gotta go” I muttered, gently shaking my son awake.

“Mommy!” he whined.

“I know, baby. And I'm sorry but we gotta go” I whispered with a shakey breath.

He whimpered but I ignored it and carefully carried him. Slinging our bags across my shoulder, I walked out the door, down the stairs, and out of the house with my son. I wasn't going to be a part of this madness. The driver got out of the car to help me with the luggage and so I go into the car with Roman who was half awake.

“Where are we going, Mommy?”

“To Zach's” I answered. “It's much more peaceful there.”

“Okay Mommy” he muttered, a soft yawn escaping his lips.

I kissed his forehead.

“All set ma'am?” the driver asked.

I nodded.

“Let's go.”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

~Megan~

I frowned at my phone's screen.

Why wasn't she answering?

I sighed and strapped on my heels.

“Let's go, Lulu!” I called out to my niece as I stepped out of my room.

She came twirling through the living room before hugging me.

“Don't you look like a princess, Lulu” I chuckled. “Here, lemme take a picture.”

I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture.

“Are you going to send it to Mom?” she asked.

I smiled softly.

“Yes, I am.”

“Does she even bother to look at them?”

I sighed.

“I'm sure she's busy, okay? But I know that when she's not, she's going to reply and tell you how beautifully you've grown.”

“That's because you take good care of me. You should be my Mom, not her.”

I smiled.

“Louisa, whatever happens, we're a team, you hear me?”

She nodded.

“Now let's go see Breanna's sister get married,” I said, trying to sound cheerful.

“Is Auntie Brie going to be there?” she asked.

I checked my phone again.

“I mean I wouldn't want to be there if I were her. Grown-up stuff is messy.”

I chuckled.

“Well, you still have a lot of years before you become a grown-up okay?”

She nodded and I took her hand and walked out of the door.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

“Lulu!” Roman chirped as we got to the church.

Louisa hugged him and I smiled as he tugged her away.

“Meg!”

I turned.

“Hi Nia” I smiled. “Wow, you look stunning.”

“Try being pregnant and forced to attend this godforsaken wedding” she grumbled.

I chuckled.

“You look amazing by the way” she smiled at me.

“Thank you Nia. Hey have you seen Brie? I've been trying her phone all morning but there's no answer.”

Nia crosses her arms.

“She dropped Roman off at Zach's last night and no one's seen or heard from her since then. Emmett and Zach are looking for her so right now all we have to do is wait.”

I rubbed my arms.

“I hope she's okay” I muttered.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

~Aiden~

“Are you not going anymore?” her British accent cut through the dining room.

I looked up from my laptop.

“Am I not going where?” I asked.

She gave me a look.

“The wedding.”

I glanced at my watch.

“No.”

“Why not? You were invited, were you not?”

“By an employee. I'm not obligated to go.”

“Aiden” she called out exasperatedly.

“Iris” I called out in the same tone.

She rolled her eyes.

“Okay fine.”

“Thank you” I chuckled.

“But I need you to drive me to my friend's place this afternoon.”

I gave her a look as she sat across from me.

“Friend? What friend?”

Juanita set a plate of food in front of her.

“The woman I told you about last night. Thank you Juanita” she smiled at the housekeeper. “The one who's getting me a job at the best law firm in town.”

“Would you like anything, Aiden my dear?” Juanita asked.

“No thank you, Juanita,” I told her.

She nodded and excused herself.

“Is she a lawyer? This your friend.”

“No. I never asked her what she does but she knows the owner of the law firm” my sister said.

“And you know that how?”

“She told me over lunch. After I promised her to help her find a good house.”

I looked up from my laptop's screen.

“Lunch? You got here two days ago and you're already having lunch with strangers? Iris, this isn't London... or Canada.”

“What is that supposed to mean, Aiden?” she asked.

“That you can't go around making friends with the first person you see on the street,” I said. “And how exactly are you going to find her a house?”

“Easy. You're going to call Tom Fields and ask him to send you the open house listings so Breanna and I can go check them out.”

I furrowed my brows.

“Breanna?”

“Yes. My friend. She's really nice and her son is the sweetest little boy ever. You should see him” my sister beamed.

Breanna was moving?

“Did she tell you why she was moving?” I asked.

“She said her sister's getting married so their house is really noisy and she and her son can't take it anymore. Can you imagine being with someone for almost seventeen years and then getting divorced? This must be hard for her.”

“What?”

Iris looked up from her plate and nodded.

“My exact reaction when she told me she and her husband had been together for close to seventeen years and are now divorced.”

I flexed my jaw.

“You'll drive me to her house, won't you? They're holding the wedding reception there. I bet her sister will be as sweet as she is.”

I scoffed.

“Not by a long shot” I muttered. “Hurry up and get dressed.”

“What?”

I blinked and looked up at my sister.

“I said hurry up and get dressed,” I said, closing my laptop.

“Why?”

“Because we're going to the wedding.”

I stood up.

“What changed your mind? And where are you going in such a hurry?” she called after me.

“To call Tom Fields.”

She smiled at me as I moved up the stairs.

“Thank you!”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I held the door open for my sister as she stepped out.

“Wow, this is beautiful” she gushed at Breanna's house.

I nodded absentmindedly as my eyes roamed through the crowd, hoping to spot her.

“Who are you looking for?” Iris peered into my face.

“No one. Why?”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at me and chuckled.

“Okay.”

“Mr. Corleone?”

I looked over my shoulder.

“Ms. Lancaster” I nodded at her.

“I didn't know you would be coming” she smiled, glancing at Iris.

“It was a last-minute decision,” I said.

“Hi. I'm Aiden's sister” Iris jumped in.

“Oh hello. I didn't know Mr. Corleone had a sister” Megan smiled. “I'm Megan. The director's assistant.”

“Iris. But please, just call me—”

“Rissa!” an excited voice called out.

We turned and Breanna's son came barreling into her. She smiled and lifted him.

“Hi Manny. Oh you look so dapper ouuu.”

Megan furrowed her brow.

“How do you know her, Manny?” she asked.

“Oh, I met his mother yesterday. We had lunch together at Mrs. Marcels” Iris replied.

“Oh, okay.”

“Where's your mom, Manny?” Iris asked.

“Roman! Why are you running into the guests?” a pregnant woman scolded as she reached our side.

The boy wiggled down from my sister's arms and ran off.

“Walk!” she scolded again but he was long gone. “I am so sorry” the woman apologized.

“No, no. He's just being a kid” Iris chuckled.

The woman exhaled.

“Hi. I'm Nia. His mother's sister-in-law” she introduced.

“This Mr. Corleone, from where Breanna and I work and his sister Iris” Megan introduced.

“Oh, you're Brie's boss? Hi!” she grinned

I politely smiled back.

“Wait, you know Breanna?” my sister nudged me.

“Yes I do” I replied. “Where is she anyway?”

Nia scoffed.

“Missing.”

I frowned.

“What?”

Megan nodded.

“No one's seen her since last night when she dropped off Roman at her friend's house. We've been trying her phone all morning but it's not going through” Megan explained.

“I don't know why you people won't just let me get her sister arrested” Nia frowned, looking over at the newlyweds as they slow danced.

“Nia, please” Megan scolded softly.

“Why would you want to arrest the bride? She looks so happy” Iris smiled.

“She's marrying her sister's ex-husband. She's obviously done something to our poor Brie” Nia crossed her arms.

“Or she decided to sit this out. It's perfectly understandable” Megan added.

“Breanna wouldn't let these two bring her down like that” Nia sighed. “Oh, I hope she's okay.”

I glanced at my watch.

“I'm going to get a drink. Would any of you ladies want one?”

“No thank you, Mr. Corleone,” Megan said.

“I'm good” Nia added.

“Iris?” I asked.

She had her eyes fixed on Breanna's sister as she danced.

“No I don't think I can be able to digest anything right now” she frowned.

“Okay. Excuse me.”

I walked to the bar and ordered my drinks. As I waited, a text came through my phone and I reached into my pocket to check it. Tom Fields had sent me the open house listings. I smiled to myself.

“Whoa, who is that?” the man next to me asked his friend.

I turned my head in the direction that they were looking. Both men were looking at the entrance to the backyard. There stood, in the middle of the open doors, dressed in a ravishing red dress, Breanna Nolan.

“That's Breanna, the groom's ex and the bride's sister,” the man's friend said, “We went to high school with all of them, remember?”

Breanna looked glanced around, smiling at the people she knew.

“I thought she wasn't going to come. I didn't see her at the church,” the man's friend said again.

“Well she looks damn fine. Why would Lewis leave all that?”

“For the better twin, I think” the man's friend chuckled.

“Better or not I'd give anything to hit that” the man next to me nodded, sipping his scotch.

I flexed my jaw.

“Yeah, there's no way you're getting anywhere near her,” his friend told him, laughing.

“Why not?” the first man, with dark blonde hair asked.

“Let's just say, rumor has it that she's got standards and you definitely don't meet them,” his friend said and they both laughed and walked off, their gazes lingering on Breanna.

I looked back at her. The spaghetti-strapped red dress she was wearing, highlighted her clavicle. The dress had a slit that ran to the ground from her mid-thigh, exposing her skin. Her hair... her hair was blonde now... and beautifully styled, letting some loose and cascading down her back.

It was fitted to her form, showing off her curves and slim waist. There was no trace of artificial color on her face, just her natural blush. She was a thing of beauty... the belle of the ball. All eyes were on her as she smiled.

Seeing her, standing there, being admired by everyone, made certain feelings I'd buried, come rushing back to the surface, making me catch my breath at her beauty. My heart raced at the thought of her and I just wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked.

I watched as she crossed the room and made her way over to Megan and Nia who were just staring at her dumbfounded. They welcomed her and wrapped her in hugs.

“Aiden?”

I blinked away from Breanna and turned to see Iris smiling at me.

“What?”

“I've been calling you forever but it's like your soul's been transported somewhere else.”

“Sorry, I was just looking through the listings Tom sent me.”

She smiled.

“What?”

“I just got here, Aiden. And I called you just once. But because you've been staring at Breanna ,you just admitted I was right?”

I scoffed.

“Don't get any ideas, Iris. I was just looking at her hair.”

“Riiiighttt” she dragged. “She does look even better blonde than brunette.”

I followed my sister's gaze as Breanna stepped away from the reception, taking my heart with her.

“Sir your drink,” the bartender said to me.

“Thank you” I nodded as I picked it up.

A few moments later, I saw Breanna return, sipping a drink as she watched the newlyweds who were stealing glances at her from time to time.

“I'll be right back, Iris,” I said, handing my drink to my sister.

“Where are you going?”

I gestured toward Breanna and she grinned at me.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

~Brie~

“Excuse me. Can I talk to you?” a voice called out to me.

I swallowed the rest of my drink and turned.

“Sorry, but the bride's that way. I know... same face and all but no. She's in white I'm in red” I smiled.

The dark-skinned woman frowned.

“Breanna!” she snapped.

I blinked and studied her face.

Where had I seen her before?

New York? Paris? I gasped.

Aubree's medical school graduation ceremony.

“Kimberly?”

She folded her arms and looked me up and down.

“I see you're dealing with this differently,” she said. “You actually dressed up for this shit?”

I scoffed.

“Nice to see you again, Kim. What are you doing here?”

“I had to see this madness with my own eyes” she replied, glancing at Aubree and Beck who were slow dancing.

Kimberly shook her head.

“I cannot believe these two” she whispered.

I shrugged.

“Would you like something to drink?” I asked.

She frowned.

“No! Why are you even here, Brie? Why are you subjecting yourself to this kind of humiliation?”

“What do you want me to do, Kim? She's pregnant with his child. What would have me do?”

“Not look so damn good in that dress for starters!” she said, playfully hitting my arm.

I laughed.

“And your hair looks great.”

“Thanks, Kim.”

She stared quietly at me.

“This isn't affecting you?” she asked.

I sighed.

“I can't do anything about it, Kim. The deed has been done.”

She rolled her eyes.

“So tell me about you. I see a ring on that finger” I grinned.

She chuckled.

“Nice try, Brie. And yes I'm married with three children.”

“So then what are you going in Virginia?”

She sighed and tugged me closer to her.

“My aunt called my father two nights ago. She told him my cousin came home in the middle of the night and left before the crack of dawn.”

I shrugged.

“So?”

Kimberly's eyes grew dark.

“Breanna, the shotgun was gone too.”

I paled.

“You don't think...”

“Yes, I do” Kim cut me off. “I think he's coming here and if we don't act fast he's going to turn this little party into a funeral ground.”

I glanced at my sister who had her tongue in Beck's throat. Kimberly gagged.

“And I shouldn't give a damn but I know my cousin very well and he's got the worst temper for a doctor. Riccardo is going to do something stupid and as much as I hate your sister right now, I can't just sit around and wait for someone to die. So that's why I'm here.”

I rubbed my arm.

“Well, I haven't seen him around,” I said. “Kim, should we call the police?”

She scoffed.

“No. I believe we can talk him out of his anger. If not, hate me but I'd be glad to see either one of them go” she said, glaring at the newlyweds.

“I need another drink” I muttered.

She gave me a small smile.

“I'll see you later. Keep your eyes opened.”

I nodded and watched her walk off. Grabbing another full glass, I tossed it back and made a face.

“I wouldn't drink too much if I were you,” I hear a voice say behind me.

I turned, tossing my now blonde hair over my shoulder. I switched from my worried expression and smiled when I saw him, with no hesitations or reservations.

“A virgin mojito,” I told him. “No bourbon, pinkie promise.”

“I should hope not,” he said, leaning against the table beside me.

I giggled softly.

“I didn't think you'd come.”

He stared at me.

“You look lovely,” he said.

I smiled at him.

“Rather like your suit,” I commented. “How many do you own? My goodness.”

“About a thousand,” he joked.

I gave him a small smile.

“You look nice, Aiden.”

“Another one, ma'am?” a waiter asked, holding up a tray with tall glasses filled with lime and mint in it.

“No thank you. My boss might just fire me if I keep this up.”

Aiden chuckled and the waiter nodded before walking off. I ran a hand down my hip and Aiden's eyes followed.

“Aiden—”

“Breanna—”

We said simultaneously. I chuckled.

“Let me go first” he whispered.

I nodded.

“I'm sorry about the way I behaved the last time we spoke. I... I'm not sure what happened but I could've done better and I apologize.”

I smiled.

“I'm sorry too. For the crap Beck said. I'm truly sorry.”

“It's not your fault he turned out to be a jerk.”

I bobbed my head.

“True. But I married him seventeen years ago today so it's kinda my fault too.”

Aiden frowned.

“Today?”

I reluctantly nodded and I watched his face grow tense. I glanced at my sister as she danced with Beck to the love mix we played at my wedding. I shook my head.

“She's trying so damn hard to recreate everything from seventeen years ago” I scoffed.

“What exactly do you mean?”

I open my mouth to answer when I catch sight of the pretty woman. I smiled.

“Rissa!” I chirped. “You made it!”

She grinned and gave me a hug when she reached my side.

“It's so good to see you again,” I said.

“You look great! Love the hair” she beamed as we pulled away from the hug.

“Thank you. Oh remind me to introduce you to my friend okay?”

She nodded.

“Did your grumpy brother make it too?” I asked with a laugh as I looked around to see if someone was heading towards us too.

She chuckled and looked at Aiden.

“Oh sorry, where are my manners?” I scoffed. “Rissa, this is my boss, Aiden Corleone. Aiden, meet my very good friend Rissa.”

She smiled at him and he just chuckled.

“Grumpy? Really Iris?” he asked.

Iris?

I blinked.

“I'm sorry, have you two met?” I asked.

“He practically raised me, Breanna. Yes, we've met” Rissa laughed.

I took a small step back and glanced between them.

Oh my... no!

Then I shut my eyes.

“You're the grumpy forty-year-old brother, aren't you?” I asked with a sigh.

Of course, he was! They have the same accent!

I opened my eyes and Aiden had a small smile on his face.

“I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to call you grumpy. It's just that—”

“Hey breathe” he chuckled.

I let out a breath.

“It's okay.”

I nodded at him.

“Because it's true” Rissa teased.

I turned to her.

“Why didn't you add your last name, huh?” I asked.

“You didn't add yours either, missy” she laughed.

I opened my mouth, about to answer Aiden's sister, when gunshots rippled through the atmosphere. Terrified screams followed and my heartbeat sped up.

Right there at the entrance to the backyard, stood an angry Riccardo, with a monstrous look on his face and a shotgun in his hand.

Thank you for reading! ✨