"Why do you ask, Amara? You don't usually care about that stuff."
Her voice was calm but there was something sharp underneath — like she was guarding a secret.
Amara hesitated, unsure how much to say.
"Just curious, that's all," she replied, forcing a smile. "It's a big step, getting married. I guess I just want to know more about him."
Cassie studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly, but the look in her eyes didn't disappear.
Amara shifted uncomfortably, trying to meet Cassie's gaze.
"I just… I haven't seen much of him tonight. Is he okay? Does he even like the wedding?"
Cassie's lips tightened. "He's… fine. He has his own way of showing it."
Amara frowned. "That doesn't sound very reassuring."
Cassie laughed softly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You always did like to ask too many questions."
Amara gave a small, sad smile. "Maybe because I care. Maybe because I'm scared you're rushing into something."
Cassie's eyes flashed with something—anger? Hurt? "I'm not a little girl anymore, Amara. I can take care of myself."
Amara softened her tone. "I know. I just… I don't want to see you get hurt."
Cassie looked away, then back at Amara. "Maybe you're the one who's scared."
Amara blinked, surprised. "Me? Why?"
Cassie's voice dropped to a whisper. "Because if this works out… things between us will never be the same."
Amara nodded slowly, trying to imagine the man who'd captured her best friend's heart or maybe something more complicated.
Amara hesitated, then smiled softly. "Hey, Cassie… how about we catch up properly? Like old times. Maybe some coffee in my room?"
Cassie looked surprised but then nodded slowly. "I'd like that."
They turned toward the stairs together, a quiet comfort settling between them.
As they walked side by side, Amara wondered if this weekend could be the start of healing—or if it would only stir up more secrets waiting to be uncovered.
When they reached Amara's door, she paused, fishing through her coat pocket… then her bag. Her brow furrowed.
"What's wrong?" Cassie asked, watching her friend's sudden panic.
"My purse," Amara muttered, opening her bag wider. "It's not here."
Cassie tilted her head. "Did you leave it downstairs?"
Amara's heart sank as a vivid memory flashed her purse on the nightstand in that stranger's room. The wrong room.
"No," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "I… I think I left it somewhere else."
Cassie raised a brow. "Somewhere else? Like where?"
Amara forced a tight smile. "I'll just run and check. You go inside make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back."
But as she turned to leave, her hands trembled. The thought of going back to that room… of possibly seeing him again… set her pulse racing.
And somewhere deep in her gut, she knew this was only the beginning.
Why was Cassie up so early?
"What if she knows?" Amara thought. "What if she saw me leave his room?"
What if the man from last night is the groom?
"She still hadn't seen the groom. What if.. no. That couldn't be. Could it?"
But what was Cassie even doing there? At that hour? Still in her party dress, hair pinned perfectly like she hadn't slept at all.
Did she see me come out?
Amara's legs finally moved, slow and unsteady, her pulse thudding in her ears. She had to go back for the purse, but her thoughts were spiraling.
What if he's awake? What if he's still in there?
What if... what if he's the groom?
The thought made her breath hitch. She still hadn't seen him not his face, not even his name mentioned. Just vague smiles, distracted whispers, and Lily changing the subject every time she asked.
Why hide him? Why all the mystery?
Reaching the door, Amara hesitated. Her fingers hovered over the knob. The air seemed thicker here, heavier with unspoken truths.
She pressed her palm against the wood, gathering courage.Then the door opened from the inside.
She approached the door like it might bite her, her footsteps slow, deliberate. Room 306. The wrong room. The room that now held more than just her forgotten purse—it held a secret that could shatter everything.
Her hand hovered over the doorknob.
Please still be asleep. Please don't let him be the groom. Please don't let anyone see me.
She pushed the door open just an inch.
The room was dim, the curtains still drawn. The bed was rumpled, the scent of cologne still hanging in the air. He wasn't there.
A gasp escaped her lips—not of relief, but of dread.
Because on the bedside table, next to her purse, was something that hadn't been there before:
A wedding band.
Not just any band. Engraved. Masculine. Gleaming like guilt under the morning light.
And beside it a white rose. Just like the ones the groomsmen wore.
No. No, no, no.
She grabbed the purse, heart in her throat.
And that's when she heard it.
The sound of water running,The shower.He was still here.And she had seconds to disappear.
She grabbed the purse quickly, her fingers trembling as they closed around the strap. The sight of the wedding band still burned into her vision. She shoved it out of her mind, turned on her heel—and froze.
Cassie was standing in the hallway.
Hair tied back, no makeup yet, but those sharp eyes missed nothing. And in that moment, Amara felt stripped bare.
"Hey…" Cassie said softly, eyes flicking to the door, then to Amara's face. "What are you doing here?"
Amara's mouth went dry. "I—I forgot my purse. I must have dropped it last night. Someone must've brought it in here."
Cassie didn't blink. Her gaze lingered on the room number. "You sure this is your room?"
A beat passed. Too long.
"Yes," Amara lied, voice too high, too fast.
Cassie didn't say anything. Just nodded slowly, like she wanted to believe her… but didn't. Not entirely.
Then she smiled, too easily. "You're always losing things."
Amara let out a nervous laugh. "Story of my life."
"Come on," Cassie said, her tone still light but her eyes searching. "Let's go grab coffee. You look like you could use something strong."
Amara followed her, the purse clutched tight in her hand—like it could hold the truth inside and keep it from spilling out.
But in her chest, the truth throbbed like a ticking bomb.
Because that wedding band was real.
And she hadn't imagined the heat of that man's touch.
And now she wasn't sure if Cassie was walking beside her out of love Or suspicion.
Cassie didn't press further. She just looped her arm through Amara's like old times. "Come on. Let's get coffee before the madness begins."
The hotel café was quiet, sunlight filtering through gauzy curtains. They found a corner table, tucked away from early risers and staff. Cassie chatted as she stirred cream into her cup, but Amara barely heard a word.
Her mind was spinning.
The way the man had touched her. The ring. The warmth of that bed. And now—Cassie's watchful eyes across the table.
"I swear," Cassie was saying with a laugh, "my mother almost made me wear pearls with my dress. Pearls, Amara."
Amara smiled faintly. "Hmm? Oh, yeah. Pearls."
Cassie paused, tilting her head. "You okay? You've been… kinda spacey this morning."
Amara blinked. "Sorry. Just tired. Too much champagne, maybe."
Or guilt, maybe.
Cassie's fingers drummed lightly on her mug. "You didn't run into anyone last night, did you? On your way in?"
The question was casual. Too casual.
Amara looked up, heart pounding again.
"No," she said softly, eyes not quite meeting hers. "No one."
Cassie nodded.But her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
Amara wrapped her hands around the warm mug, needing something to ground her. But even the steam rising from the coffee felt unreal—like the whole morning was stretched thin, close to tearing.
Cassie was still watching her. Smiling, yes, but too still. Too focused.
Amara shifted in her seat. "You're quiet now."
Cassie stirred her coffee again, her spoon tapping gently against the porcelain. "Just… thinking."
"About what?"
Cassie shrugged, her gaze flicking up, holding Amara's for a beat too long. "I don't know. You tell me."
Something twisted in Amara's stomach. There it was—the tension, unspoken but loud.
She reached for her croissant and missed the edge of the plate, scattering crumbs. "I, uh… forgot my purse in the room last night. That's why I went back."
Cassie nodded slowly. "Right. In the room."
Amara didn't dare blink.
Cassie leaned in slightly, voice softer now. "You looked a little flustered when I saw you. Something happen?"
"I—no. Just tired. Honestly."
Cassie didn't press, but her eyes said something else.
She was waiting.And Amara had no idea how much Cassie really knew.Amara's fingers tightened around the mug as she scanned the room, searching for an excuse to leave. The weight of Cassie's gaze pressed down on her like a silent question she couldn't answer.
Just as she opened her mouth to say something, Cassie's phone buzzed sharply on the table.
Her face lit up instantly as she glanced at the screen. "It's him," she said breathlessly, almost unable to believe it.
Amara blinked, surprised by the sudden shift.
Cassie didn't even hesitate. She picked up the phone, her voice warm and excited. "Hey, love! Yeah, I'm just having some coffee…"
Amara watched as the light in Cassie's eyes returned, the worry and tension vanishing like smoke.
For a moment, Amara felt invisible like Cassie had forgotten they were even talking.
The door to the café suddenly looked a lot
more inviting.