As the engagement party guests drifted in, they gathered in small clusters on the flower-strewnwn, chatting and waiting for the event to begin. But inside the dressing room, tension hung thick in the air-a stark contrast to the easyughter outside.


    The door clicked shut and locked.


    "Well, aren''t you surprised to see me?"


    Leaningzily against the door, Sophia Pembroke cut a striking figure in her crimson suit. She snapped open a silver case, slid out a slender cigarette, and lit it with a practiced flick. Smoke curled from her lips as she regarded the woman in the shimmering tulle gown with an almost mocking smile.


    A soft, amused chuckle.


    "Women are always at their most beautiful at times like this."


    "What do you want?"


    M''s voice was tight as she took a startled step back, pressing herself against the vanity. One hand, hidden by the trailing pink tulle at her wrist, fumbled across the table until her fingers found her phone.


    She was just about to press the emergency contact when a rush of sharp, minty smoke filled the room. Sophia''s hand shot out, pinning M''s to the table and sending the phone skidding out of reach. Sophia''s lowugh, tinged with the scent of menthol, brushed M''s ear.


    "What''s the hurry?"


    "At least try to focus when you''re talking to someone."


    M wrinkled her nose and turned away from the cloud of smoke. "I don''t recall inviting you. And keep your distance. That awful smell-don''t get ash on my dress."


    Never mind the cost of the gown-if she burned a hole in it, where would she find a recement on such short notice? Custom pieces like this were one of a kind.


    Besides, Forrest had chosen her wedding dress.


    And the cigarette smoke was revolting.


    Sophia gave a dryugh, the cigarette still mped between her teeth, her eyes narrowing. "God, you''re difficult." Her gaze turned icy. "M. We''re not finished, you and I. Julian''s still in the hospital, hasn''t woken up, and here you are, ying the blushing bride? How dare you? And now you think you can make demands of me?"


    Her wordsnded with an explosive crack.


    M''s wrist was yanked forward, her bnce thrown off. She stumbled against the vanity as the forceful grip dragged her, sending ss bottles and jars crashing to the floor.


    In that frantic moment, M didn''t try to pull away. Instead, she quickly gathered her gown and darted behind Sophia, using her as a shield.


    The smash of bottles echoed, powders and liquids sttering everywhere.


    When the chaos stilled, M''s first instinct was to check her dress. Relief washed over her—it was unscathed. But when she nced at Sophia, she saw sshes of color staining those immacte crimson trousers. Serves her right.


    Sophia''s grip on M''s wrist tightened.


    Slowly, Sophia turned, her expression thunderous, each word clipped. "M!"


    "You did that to yourself," M shot back, not missing a beat. "And I told youst time-Julian''s situation is something you and Lysander brought on yourselves. Don''t me me for everything. I feel for Julian, I want to help, but that doesn''t mean my whole life has to stop or that I have to sacrifice everything."


    Sophia''s brow furrowed.


    But M pressed on. "And you, as his mother, have time to harass me, but not to stay by his side? Shouldn''t you be at the hospital? And your neck-you''re still bandaged. Should you really be out running around?"


    Her gazended pointedly on the white gauze wrapped around Sophia''s neck.


    Sophia tilted her head, her eyes scanning M''s calm face. After a tense pause, she finally let go of M''s wrist.


    "So that''s why you didn''t invite me?"


    "Think what you want."


    M couldn''t be bothered to exin the logic of a madwoman. She nced down at her wrist, already flushed red and beginning to bruise. Great just what she needed with the engagement party about to start. If anyone saw, it would be a nightmare.


    Annoyed, she turned her attention to the jewelry rack, searching for a silk ribbon


    in the same hue as her gown to hide the mark. Behind her, Sophia spoke again.


    "Hey. Call off the engagement party."


    M''s hand froze mid-search. She turned slowly, her face emotionless. "Excuse me?"


    Sophia was sprawled on a swivel chair now, arms draped over the sides. She met M''s eyes, stubbed out her cigarette on the armrest, and repeated, cool as ever, "I said, call it off."


    "Not a chance," M said tly. "This has nothing to do with you."


    Sophia''s gaze was sharp. "You really think this wedding will do you any good? I warned you you''ve been reckless fately. Do you really believe that lunatic will just let this go? Or that the engagement will go off without a hitch?"  s?novel


    That lunatic? Lysander.


    M''s expression didn''t waver. "So what if he tries? He can''t touch this engagement. I''m sure of it."