Chapter 1
Today was supposed to be Summer Linwood's wedding day.
Three years of dating, one year of engagement, and six months of planning.
She had overseen every single detail herself, from her gown to the party favors, from the hotel ballroom to the playlist.
"Summer, you're working too hard," Ryan Carson would tell her. "That's what wedding planners are for."
But she insisted.
This was her wedding.
The one she had been dreaming of since she was eighteen, since the day she first met Ryan.
But now, the groom was missing.
*****
It was February 14, 2028, at 10:18 a.m. Inside the lead Rolls-Royce Phantom of the wedding procession, the wedding stylist offered Summer a tissue for the third time, her voice a nervous attempt at reassurance. "Ms. Linwood, please don't be upset. It's probably just traffic."
Summer didn't take it. She sat in the back, wearing a white wedding gown intricately embroidered with gold thread that sparkled in the sun.
It was a custom piece she had commissioned from a designer, a three-month wait that ended with it being flown in just yesterday.
The ornate headdress weighed heavily on her head, making her neck ache, but she sat perfectly straight, every inch the perfect bride. The only flaw was her face: it was pale, unnaturally so.
"Still nothing?" Summer asked, her voice eerily calm.
In the passenger seat, Sophie Foster, her best friend and maid of honor, ended her fifth attempt and turned around, her face unable to mask her panic. "His phone is off."
A heavy, suffocating silence filled the car.
The driver stole a quick glance at the backseat through the rearview mirror before quickly looking away.
"Head to the hotel," Summer said.
"What?" Sophie was stunned. "But Ryan—"
"The hotel," Summer repeated, her voice flat. "Everyone's waiting. We can't just leave them there."
Sophie bit her lip, then turned to the driver. "The Sterling Hotel, please."
The procession started moving again. Eight black Rolls-Royces, their hoods adorned with flowers and ribbons, drew every eye as they cruised through the sun-drenched city streets.
People on the sidewalk stopped to stare and snap photos.
The wedding was the social event of the year, a merger of two business empires, the Carsons and the Linwoods. They had sent out over a thousand invitations to every major figure in Bayport.
Summer stared out the window, watching the city blur past.
Today was supposed to be her wedding day.
Three years of dating, one year of engagement, and six months of planning. She had overseen every single detail herself, from her gown to the party favors, from the hotel ballroom to the playlist.
"Summer, you're working too hard," Ryan would tell her. "That's what wedding planners are for."
But she insisted. This was her wedding. The one she had been dreaming of since she was eighteen, since the day she first met Ryan.
But now, the groom was missing.
Her phone buzzed with messages from the family group chat.
Her mom, Margaret, texted: [Summer, where are you? Where's Ryan? Why isn't he here yet?]
Her dad, Henry, followed: [Summer, the guests are all here. You two need to get a move on.]
Her aunt, Linda, asked: [Summer, why is Ryan's phone off? Did something happen?]
Another aunt, Charlotte, replied: [What could happen? Probably just traffic. It's Valentine's Day, wedding season. So many couples tying the knot today.]
Summer didn't respond. Instead, she opened her chat history with Ryan.
The last message, sent at 3 a.m., was from him. [Summer, see you later. I love you.]
She had replied with a heart emoji.
Scrolling up, she found their exchange from 11 p.m. the night before.
Summer: [Big day tomorrow. Get some sleep and rest up.]
Ryan: [Got it. You too.]
Summer: [I'm a little nervous.]
Ryan: [Don't be nervous. I'm here.]
Summer stared at those words, her nails digging half-moons into her palms.
The wide sleeves of her wedding gown hid her hands, along with the small crescents of blood welling up there.
The procession pulled up in front of the Sterling Hotel.
The moment they arrived, a wave of sound hit them: crowds cheering, music blaring. The hotel entrance was packed. Guests strained their necks for a better view, and reporters jostled for position, cameras at the ready.
But the groom was nowhere to be seen.
Summer sat motionless in the car.
"Summer..." Sophie turned to look at her, eyes glistening. "Maybe... maybe we should get out? We can't just sit here waiting forever."
"Turn the car around," Summer said.
"What?" Sophie blinked.
"Turn around." Summer lifted her eyes. Her gaze, usually warm and soft, was now icy cold. "We're going to find him."
Sophie was stunned. "Where are we going to look? We have no idea where he is."
"I know," Summer said.
How could she not know?
For the past three years, there had always been someone who mattered more to Ryan than anyone else.
His first love: Clara Simons.
Summer had only seen her once, in a photo on Ryan's phone. A girl in a white dress, standing under a cherry blossom tree, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
Ryan had said she was just a college friend, an old flame who'd moved abroad and was long out of the picture.
She had believed him because she loved him. She had loved him enough to believe every single word he said.
But now, she couldn't bring herself to believe him anymore.
"Go to Harmony Private Hospital," Summer said, her voice unwavering.
Sophie looked stricken. "Summer, don't think too much. Maybe Ryan's just feeling unwell and went to the hospital."
"It's Sunday," Summer interrupted. "Harmony Private Hospital's OB-GYN department has a specialist clinic every Sunday morning. Clara always schedules her prenatal appointments with that specialist."
Sophie's eyes widened. "How... how do you know that?"