Chapter 2

I didn't sleep for the rest of the night. I lay in our berth, staring at the ceiling as the train rocked through the mountains, my body rigid with the knowledge that burned like acid in my chest. When Trey finally slipped back into our compartment just before dawn, I pretended to be asleep, my breathing carefully controlled as he settled beside me.

His arm draped across my waist in the same casual way it had a thousand times before, but now his touch felt like a brand against my skin. I wanted to recoil, to scream, to demand answers. Instead, I lay there, trapped between his body and the wall, counting the minutes until I could escape this suffocating charade.

When morning came, Trey was all smiles and gentle kisses, bringing me coffee from the dining car as if nothing had changed. "Sleep well, beautiful?" he asked, his voice warm with the same affection that had once made my heart flutter.

I managed a nod, not trusting my voice. The coffee tasted like ash in my mouth.

Blair appeared at our table for breakfast, radiant in a way that made my stomach turn. Her hair was perfectly styled, her makeup flawless, as if she'd spent extra time preparing for this performance. "Good morning, you two lovebirds," she chirped, sliding into the seat across from us. "Isn't this train just magical? I barely slept—too excited about seeing Colorado!"

The casual lie rolled off her tongue so easily that I almost doubted what I'd seen. Almost.

"The scenery is incredible," Trey agreed, his hand finding mine across the table. His fingers intertwined with mine, the same gesture that had once felt like coming home. Now it felt like a shackle. "Wait until you see the overlook we're stopping at this afternoon, Scarlet. It's going to be perfect for photos."

They chatted about our itinerary, about the hotel in Aspen, about our wedding plans, their voices bright and animated. Blair even pulled out her phone to show us pictures she'd found online of the venue where our reception would be held. "Only two more weeks!" she squealed, squeezing my free hand. "I can't believe my best friend is getting married!"

I sat there, numb, watching them perform this elaborate pantomime of normalcy. They discussed flower arrangements and seating charts, laughed about bachelor and bachelorette party plans, debated whether the mountain air would affect my hair on the wedding day. Every word felt like another knife twist.

The worst part was how natural they seemed together. The way Blair's eyes lingered on Trey when she thought I wasn't looking. The way he unconsciously leaned toward her when she spoke. Had I been blind to this all along, or was I seeing connections that had always been there, hidden beneath the surface of our friendship?

"You're quiet this morning," Blair observed, tilting her head with practiced concern. "Are you feeling alright? You look a little pale."

"Just tired," I managed, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears.

"Pre-wedding jitters," Trey said with a knowing smile, lifting our joined hands to press a kiss to my knuckles. "It's completely normal, sweetheart. I'm nervous too."

The endearment that had once made me melt now made me want to vomit.

The train pulled to a stop at the scenic overlook around three in the afternoon, and passengers began filing off to stretch their legs and take pictures. The Colorado landscape stretched endlessly before us—towering peaks, dense forests, and a rushing river that sparkled in the afternoon sun. It should have been breathtaking. Instead, it felt like a stage set for my personal nightmare.

"Come on," Blair said, grabbing my arm with false enthusiasm. "Let's go get some fresh air while the boys handle the luggage."

I allowed her to pull me away from the train, toward a wooden viewing platform that overlooked the river. Other passengers wandered around us, cameras clicking, voices filled with wonder at the natural beauty. I felt disconnected from it all, like I was watching everything through thick glass.

When we were alone at the platform's edge, Blair's mask finally slipped. Her bright smile faded, replaced by something harder, more calculating.

"You know," she said, her voice losing its cheerful lilt, "you've always been so lucky, Scarlet. Perfect family, perfect life, perfect fiancé just handed to you on a silver platter."

I turned to stare at her, my heart hammering against my ribs. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb." Her laugh was bitter now, nothing like the musical sound from this morning. "You saw us last night, didn't you? I could tell by the way you've been looking at me all day."

The confirmation hit me like a physical blow, even though I'd known. Hearing her admit it, seeing the lack of remorse in her eyes, made it real in a way that shattered something deep inside me.

"How could you?" The words came out as a whisper. "You're supposed to be my best friend."

"Best friend?" Blair's voice rose, sharp with years of hidden resentment. "Do you know what it's like being your best friend, Scarlet? Always the supporting character in your perfect little story? You've never had to fight for anything. Trey, your family's money, your charmed life—it all just fell into your lap."

"That's not—"

"He came to me," she continued, her words cutting through my protest like a blade. "Do you want to know why? Because you're so wrapped up in your own world that you never really see him. Never really see anyone. He needed someone who would actually listen, someone who would make him feel wanted instead of just... expected."

The accusation stole my breath. "You're lying."

"Am I?" Blair stepped closer, her eyes glittering with malicious satisfaction. "When was the last time you asked him how he was really feeling? When did you last make him feel like more than just a checkbox on your perfect life list? You take everything for granted, Scarlet. Always have."

Before I could respond, Trey's voice called out behind us. "There you are! I was wondering where my two favorite girls had wandered off to."

I turned to see him approaching, his smile warm and easy, as if he hadn't just destroyed our entire relationship. As if Blair hadn't just accused me of being a selfish, inattentive fiancée who somehow deserved this betrayal.

"Just admiring the view," Blair said, her mask sliding back into place so smoothly it made my head spin. "It's absolutely gorgeous here, isn't it?"

Trey moved to stand between us, one arm sliding around my waist, the other reaching for Blair's hand to help her step back from the platform's edge. "Careful there," he said with gentle concern. "That river's moving pretty fast."

The casual intimacy of the gesture—the way he touched us both, the way Blair leaned into his touch—made me feel like I was drowning in plain sight.

"Oh!" Blair suddenly gasped, her foot seeming to catch on the wooden railing. Her arms windmilled as she teetered backward, her eyes wide with what looked like genuine fear. "Help!"

Time slowed as she fell, her body hitting the rushing water with a splash that echoed off the canyon walls. Without hesitation, Trey released me and dove in after her, his body cutting through the air in a perfect arc.

I stood frozen on the platform, watching the man I'd planned to marry risk his life to save the woman who had helped him destroy our relationship, while other passengers screamed and rushed to help. The cold mountain air bit at my skin, but I felt nothing except the terrible certainty that this moment—this choice—would define everything that came after.