Nate and I share a stupid smile on our two-hour drive. The ceremony will be held Upstate, near Rhode Estate. Nate parks the car close to the church's gates, then walks around to open my door. He looks extra hot in his dark suit with a rosebud pinned on his lapel.

"We used to spend a month here in the summer with my grandparents," he explains, closing the car's door behind me. "Nana used to take us to this church on Sundays. The same priest who baptized us is conducting the ceremony today."

My heels crunch the pebbles as we walk along the path that takes us to the old stone building. Fresh mountain weather fills me while the afternoon sun heats my shoulders. I'm feeling alive here. The sounds of birds and wilderness overpower the guests' noises around us. A stream is swooshing somewhere behind the trees. There's salt in the air.

A fancy horse carriage awaits in the corner to take the bride and groom on a romantic ride or a photo shoot, probably after the ceremony. I narrow my eyes. Does Roman even like horses?

They stink... He would hate this. There should be a white, retro Aston Martin convertible here. Not a stupid horse carriage.

Not that I know Roman well. Maybe he loves horses.

I take Nate's arm and look up at the church. It feels familiar, as if I've been here before. Moss covers the base of the walls. The smell of freshly cut grass and jasmine lingers in the air. Pink rose petals lead us to the arched doors... Yet something feels off, just like the horse carriage.

The petals should be white, not pink.

I'm just being weird.

I suck in a deep breath and smile at Nate as we mingle near the door. "Aren't you supposed to be with the groom? You're the best man..." I glide my fingers up his stripy dark blue tie and tuck it into his jacket.

"It's just a title," Nate shrugs.

"What about the rings?" I ask, raising a brow.

Nate pats his pockets and spins around in panic. "Mom," he says. "She has them. I'll be right back."

I chuckle, watching him run from one guest to another, asking where his mom is. Leaving him in the garden, I sigh and step into the church.

Air conditioners blast cool air at full speed. I brush my flying bangs aside and shiver. The fresh, oaky smell makes me smile. Some of the elderly guests are already seated, shuffling the pages of the event flow. I give them a polite nod as I walk around the pews. My fingers drift across the pink roses and baby's breath that hang from the armrests. I know it's crazy, and it doesn't make any sense, but I swear it should be lilies and peonies.

Not roses. And definitely not pink.

I take a seat on one of the empty benches close to the door. My phone chimes with a text from Nate: "I'm on best man duty. See you at the ceremony."

I send him a heart emoji and check my emails as the guests slowly fill the church. Claire from production waves at me when she recognizes me in the crowd. I smile back, then turn my gaze to the empty altar. Moments later, everyone falls silent as all heads turn toward the doors.

Nate appears at the entrance. It's been minutes since I last saw him outside, but damn... Seeing him now, under a floral archway while the church organ plays a serene melody, takes my breath away. His green eyes find me in no time and start glowing. The bridesmaid in his arm is gazing at him with a dreamy smile. I can't blame her. Nate is a pleasure to look at.

An army of best men and bridesmaids follow Nate's lead and take their places behind the altar. I hold my breath when the melody changes into something stronger. The hair at the nape of my neck rises. The air around me suddenly feels thicker.

Roman's voice from somewhere up above thunders, 'This is all wrong.'

Is he holding a microphone? He wouldn't announce that to the crowd, though. I must be imagining it. I peer over my shoulder and catch Roman standing by the door, scratching his chin. Then he steps inside and starts walking. Every step he takes trembles within me. My heart races.

'This is wrong. This is so wrong,' says the beast in my chest.

As Roman nears my seat, his feet lose their rhythm.

Then he turns his head.

And our gazes meet.

His caramel eyes widen and suck me in.

Fuck... I swear, I wasn't lying to Nate when I said I didn't have feelings for Roman...until now. What is this feeling, though? Is it lust? Longing? Love? Obsession? My heart's beating a hundred miles per hour. This feeling is a fucked up combination of everything.

Well, all I know is... This is wrong.

A shadow crosses Roman's eyes. He parts his lips to form words, but nothing comes out. I force a smile and lower my gaze to my hands. 'Hello to you too, Roman.'

When his footsteps continue down the carpet, I lift my head again. He's approaching the altar. I close my eyes and let out a deep exhale. Have I been holding my breath this entire time?

Roman takes his place by the bridesmaids. His body is facing me, but his head is turned to the doors. My gaze slides to Nate, who is chewing his lips. Him, standing at the altar, is the only right thing in this picture. God, he looks beautiful. He is the most beautiful man I've ever set eyes on.

Nate smiles back at me and clasps his hands in front of him.

The wedding march starts to play. The bride appears at the doors, stealing gasps from the crowd. Whispers of kind words hover in the air. She looks pretty...

...if you don't focus on the details, the beast in my chest adds.

She is wearing a tight mermaid dress—that hugs her in all the wrong places. The dress' chest is too tight—flattens her breasts. Her love handles are popping out, and she's wearing high heels—which is a bad choice, considering how she'll look double Roman's size when she stands next to him.

I don't envy her. I really don't! She has a lovely face.

Except, her eyes are too close to each other, which gives her a constant, sinister look, and her short teeth make her smile seem creepy...

But other than that, I guess she is okay. At least she looks happy. That smile across her thin lips seems genuine. Perhaps, she is a PR-oriented, lovely woman...

who happens to be Roman's problem—Wife!

Fuck. She's about to be Roman's wife.

I smile at her, just like everyone else, as she makes her way to the altar. Her veil is...

Ordinary—Nice!

Fuck. Her veil is nice and long...

and it's sweeping the floor—as it should!

Jesus. Why can't I get a grip of my thoughts?

The music comes to an end when Tiffany steps on the platform and takes her place across from Roman. Good, she has a sense of rhythm.

So do monkeys.

I shuffle my bangs with a sigh, and flick my gaze to Nate, who is watching me with narrowed eyes. He shifts his weight from one leg to the other before turning to the couple.

The priest enters from the ceremonial doors behind the altar and welcomes everyone. I settle in more comfortably, grabbing a booklet from the bench pocket in front of me. The golden T&R on the cover shines as I flip the page. Seems like the ceremony will be brief. Great. The quicker, the better.

I turn my attention to the bride when it's time to say the vows.

"I, Tiffany Carter, take thee..." She sounds confident.

Roman is staring at their hands.

Does her hands fit perfectly into his as mine?

Roman's fake smile flickers as he lifts his head, and his eyes scan the crowd. His deep voice comes from somewhere high above. 'No.'

I glare at the stone ceiling, expecting to see a shadow or a ghost. But I know that I'm imagining things again. Letting out a sigh, I shoot Nate a bored smile, and he returns it with a sweet glow in his eyes.

Roman's voice booms from the speakers and catches me off guard. I can't help but jump in my seat.

"I, Roman Rhode..." His eyes slowly lift from their hands to the face in front of him. "Take thee..."

'This is wrong!' The annoying voice inside my chest screams.

Roman gapes for a second. His brows rise in confusion as he looks around, then stares at me. Can he hear the voices, too?

Nate clears his throat. My heart is thumping.

"I take... Umm... Thee..." Roman grins nervously and shakes his head. "I take thee, Tiffany Carter..."

The heaviness in my chest rises above my head like a cloud, then breaks and shatters into thousands of pieces. I sigh as embers rain down on me. It doesn't hurt because the pain doesn't feel like it belongs to me anymore. It's as if I have this invisible person now, a divine, broken ghost of a woman floating above me. We are connected with a silver thread, and she is weeping.

Roman is nearing the end of his vows. His voice is shaky, and he's stopping constantly. His gaze flies back and forth between the bride and I. The guests start murmuring. Tiffany glances over her shoulder, but her blank gaze slides past me.

Doesn't she know? Really? How oblivious is she? Hasn't she asked Roman a single question about that fight at the charity ball?

But then again, I never knew what Roman told her that night. Not that it matters anymore. Because whatever Roman told Tiffany led them to this moment...to their wedding.

Which is WRONG.

Nate clears his throat once again. His eyes are fixed on Roman this time. Stepping forward, he takes a small box out of his inner pocket, and pats Roman's arm. His lips are moving but I can't tell if Nate's swearing or wishing him well at this point.

Roman finally tears his gaze from me and focuses on the velvet box Nate's holding. Nate clenches his teeth, forcing something that resembles a smile, and pats Roman's arm again.

Roman's hands falter as they reach for the box. But then he presses his lips into a tight line, straightens up and grabs the rings. Sliding one on Tiffany's finger, he holds out a hand for her to do the same.

'No, no, no... This isn't supposed to happen.' The phantom woman weeps.

"Shut up," I mutter.

"Excuse me?" The old lady sitting next to me looks offended.

I shake my head with a polite smile. I can't tell her that I'm speaking to some invisible woman, can I?

Roman lifts Tiffany's veil and leans toward her lips.

'Stop! You stupid, stupid man! That's not your bride! I am! This is supposed to be OUR wedding. You're doing it all wrong!'

Fuck. I dig my nails into my knees. I've lost it. Does the creature lady above me have a turn-off button? Because that bitch is all over the place.

I sigh with relief when Roman finally kisses Tiffany and drowns that annoying voice. Everyone else is clapping now, cheering the couple. Honestly, I'm just glad that it's over.

Roman takes a step back and looks around. Then our eyes meet.

His frown is back. He's flexing his fingers, then balling them into a fist again. Keeping his eyes locked with mine, Roman starts walking.

Toward me.

With strong steps.

I hold my breath.

Fuck, this is really happening. He really is coming toward me. I grab the armrest and get ready to stand. The creature above me roars. She's waiting for him with open arms.

Roman holds out a hand. 'Get up, Abigail! What are you waiting for!'

Nate runs after the groom and catches his elbow before Roman can reach the first row. Everyone's watching them, just like me, with open jaws and dying claps. When Roman pushes him, Nate yanks on his brother's arm and leans into his ear.

I hear whispers coming from up above, as if three ghosts are having an assembly. But I can't make out who's talking. My eyes desperately flick to the ceiling, searching for their shadows, but nothing. Nobody. The broken woman above my head must be one of them. She sounds pissed.

A painful heat strikes the back of my neck. And just like that, the hovering lady, my inner demon, divine queen, my higher self or whatever she is, falls back into my chest where she belongs.

We are one, she and I. And she is one with Roman.

Roman's lips curl into a tight smirk as he stares into Nate's blazing eyes. Shooting me a final glance, he turns to Tiffany and gestures her to join him. The corners of the bride's smile quiver as she raises her chin and steps up to meet the groom.

Nate slaps Roman in the back. I gasp when Roman stumbles forward with the impact. Guests around them chuckle and pat Roman's shoulder to congratulate him, way more gentler than his own brother.

I know we're in a church, but dear God, this is a wedding from hell!

Nate pushes Roman out of the way and starts marching toward me. I jump up in a heartbeat. He is smiling, but his green eyes are flashing thunderstorms.

Without losing another second, Nate grabs my hand, and we hurry out of the church.