Chapter 1
When I pushed open the door to our bridal suite, there was a strange woman sprawled across our wedding bed.
She was still in a white shirt, her long hair messy across the bright red wedding sheets, her eyes swollen and red from crying.
My new husband, James Carter, was sitting on the edge of the bed.
He was holding a glass of water, speaking softly as he tried to comfort her.
"Stella, drink this first," James said.
There were still a few friends from the wedding lingering in the room.
The moment I walked in, the room went completely quiet.
I stood in the doorway, still holding the high heels I'd just taken off.
My gaze shifted from the woman on the bed to James's face.
"Who is this?" I asked.
James paused for a moment.
"Stella Quinn," he said.
Of course I knew who Stella Quinn was.
James's first love—the girl he'd dated for four years.
The only serious conversation James and I ever had about boundaries was before the wedding—and it was about her.
I never imagined I'd first meet her on my wedding night.
And honestly, I never imagined she'd be sprawled out on my wedding bed.
Stella pushed herself up to sit.
When she saw me, a flicker of embarrassment crossed her face.
"You're Lily, aren't you?" she asked, her voice a little uncertain.
"Sorry, I had a rough day," she mumbled.
Her voice was hoarse, and her eyes reddened again.
Chris Evans, standing nearby, quickly jumped in to explain, "Lily, Stella just broke up with her fiancé for good today. He even threw all her stuff out.
"She drank a lot by herself tonight. She's in pretty bad shape."
Another friend chimed in, "We were just afraid she'd do something crazy, so we brought her here."
I nodded and asked, "So why did you bring her here?"
They all exchanged glances.
Finally, James stood up.
He walked over to me, his voice barely above a whisper.
He said, "There aren't any rooms left downstairs.
"I can't let her stay alone in this state."
I looked at him.
"And then what?" I asked.
My calm tone made James frown.
"Lily, just for tonight," he said. "We'll just crash in the suite next door."
I didn't say anything.
The room fell silent again.
Stella suddenly threw off the covers.
"No need," she said.
She stepped barefoot onto the floor, insisting she could manage on her own.
"I'll just crash on the couch," she said. "I've already caused enough trouble today. I can't take over your bridal suite too."
She started to get out of bed.
James reached out and steadied her.
"Don't worry about it," he said.
Stella looked like she could barely stand, swaying on her feet.
James instinctively put his arm around her shoulders.
"You're barely able to stand, and you still want to sleep on the couch?" James asked, sounding both worried and helpless.
Stella dropped her gaze, staring at the floor.
Her tears spilled over, falling silently.
She whispered, "But it's your wedding day.
"I shouldn't even be here."
James's expression softened.
He comforted her, saying, "There's no point talking about that now.
"Just focus on yourself right now."
I stood in the doorway, watching them.
The wedding decorations were still in place around the headboard.
Rose petals were scattered all over the floor.
The hotel had just delivered our wedding cake, and it was sitting on the table.
Just two hours ago, the wedding officiant had stood on stage and asked James if he would always put me first.
He said he would, to the applause of hundreds of guests.
It felt as though the applause were still echoing in the air.
Yet here he was, breaking that promise for the very first time.
Chris cleared his throat.
He said, "Lily, don't take it to heart.
"Stella's been part of our group for ages.
"She's really not herself tonight—she's just had a rough day."
I looked at him.
"Did I say anything?" I asked.
Chris shifted uncomfortably, caught off guard.
"No, no," he said quickly.
I turned to James.
"So you're completely fine with her staying here?" I asked.
James let out a breath, visible relief washing over him.
He replied, "Just for tonight.
"She'll leave first thing in the morning once she's sober."
I nodded.
"Okay," I said.
Everyone was stunned.
James stared at me in disbelief for a few seconds.
He clearly hadn't expected me to agree so quickly.
Stella pressed her lips together.
She said, "Lily, please don't get the wrong idea.
"James and I are ancient history."
I smiled faintly.
"I know," I said.
With that, I walked past them and went to the bed.
I bent down and picked up my pillow.
Earlier that afternoon, the hotel staff had asked if I wanted to swap the pillows for a matching set for the two of us.
I thought it was cheesy.
But James insisted that a wedding should look the part.
Guess it worked out after all.
It wasn't like missing one pillow mattered.
I picked up my pillow and headed out.
When I reached James, I stopped.
"Let's go," I said.
He froze.
"What?" he asked.
"Didn't you say we were going to the suite next door?"
I looked at him.
"Aren't you coming?" I asked.
The room went quiet for a moment.
Stella spoke up right away.
"Go on, you should go," she said.
She sat back down on the bed, forcing a smile at him.
She said, "I'm fine, really.
"It's your wedding night. Don't let me ruin it for Lily."
James looked at her, but he stayed right where he was.
Stella looked down again.
"I'll be fine after some sleep," she murmured.
Suddenly, she clapped a hand over her mouth, her face going pale.
James rushed to grab a wastebasket.
She doubled over the side of the bed, dry heaving for what seemed like forever.
The group rushed around to help her.
Once she was settled back in bed, James finally turned to me.
"Go on ahead," he said. "I can't leave her like this. I'll come over once she's asleep."