He Left the Altar for His Brother's Widow

Synopsis

The night before my wedding, I came across a post on Grace Miller's social media: [After William passed, his brother moved me into their new home to wait for the baby. It turns out someone is still waiting for this little one.] In the photo, she sat on the sofa, one hand resting on her baby bump, her eyes red-rimmed. The background was blurred, but I recognized it instantly. It was Edward Lane's and my new house. The half-frame wedding photo on the wall was one Edward and I had hung last month. The comments section was buzzing with well-wishes. [That's what family means. The brother passed, but the younger brother is still watching over his wife and child.] [The younger brother is so responsible. The baby will be so loved when it arrives.] [Some bonds run deeper than romance. He's honoring his late brother's wishes.] I stared at those words for a long time, my thumb pressed against the screen, zooming in until only Grace's cream-colored loungewear was visible. That outfit was mine. I'd hung it in the master bedroom closet of our new home. After the ceremony the next day, I'd planned to change out of my wedding gown and wear it back to the new house with Edward. My phone buzzed. It was a message from Edward: [Grace isn't feeling well tonight. I won't be coming over. [For the wedding tomorrow, could you let your parents know for me?]