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Lia's POV

The dream was terrifying.

I was standing in a vast, empty hall adorned with wedding decorations. The air smelled metallic, thick, and suffocating. My wedding dress, pristine and white moments ago, was soaked with blood. The vibrant red seemed to pulse, a grotesque reminder of something I couldn’t yet piece together.

My gaze fell downward, and there he was—Finn, lying in a pool of his own blood. His lifeless eyes stared up at me, accusing and hollow.

My hands trembled as I looked down at them. I was holding a knife.

“No...no, no, no!” I screamed, the sound echoing through the empty hall.

I tried to drop the knife, but it wouldn’t leave my hand. My breaths came in short gasps, panic swelling in my chest. The walls around me seemed to close in, the decorations morphing into dark, clawed shapes.

Then, faint laughter echoed. Low, guttural, and filled with malice.

I spun around, searching for the source, but the hall was empty. The laughter grew louder until it consumed everything, drowning out even my frantic thoughts.

And then, I woke up.

My body jolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst. My trembling hand instinctively went to my neck, clutching the necklace Finn had given me the previous night.

What kind of dream was that?

I tried to calm my racing heart, but just then, I heard something—soft footsteps, the creak of my bedroom door moving ever so slightly.

My eyes darted toward the door.

Someone had just left my room.

I froze, panic gripping me as the remnants of the dream bled into reality. For a moment, I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. But then I forced myself to stand, my knees shaky beneath me.

I walked toward the door cautiously and peeked into the hallway. It was empty.

“Hello?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

No answer.

The hallway stretched out in both directions, dimly lit by the faint glow of a wall sconce. There was no one there, no sign of movement. But I was certain someone had been inside.

I stepped back into the room, closing the door firmly behind me. My pulse refused to settle as I leaned against it, trying to process what had just happened.

Had it been real? Or was my mind still tangled in the nightmare?

I didn’t sleep for the rest of the night. Every creak, every gust of wind sent a jolt through me. My eyes stayed fixed on the door, waiting for some explanation, some sign of what—or who—I had heard.

By the time dawn broke, I felt drained, my nerves frayed from the sleepless night.

A knock at the door startled me, and I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat.

“Lia? It’s me, your makeup artist!”

I exhaled shakily. “Come in.”

The door opened, and she entered, her face lit with excitement, carrying a large suitcase filled with makeup and styling tools.

“Good morning, Lia!” she said brightly. “Today’s the big day!”

Big day. Right.

I forced a smile, pushing the disturbing events of the night to the back of my mind. “Good morning.”

She set up her workstation near the window, chattering away about how beautiful I’d look, how lucky Finn was, and how this would be a day to remember.

If only she knew how unforgettable it already was—for all the wrong reasons.

As she began her work, brushing and blending, my thoughts drifted. The dream, the intruder, the ominous feeling gnawing at me—I couldn’t ignore it. Something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that today wouldn’t just be about my wedding.

It would be about survival.

___

Finn's POV

I adjusted the cufflinks on my shirt, trying to shake off the nervous energy that had been building all morning. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, yet something about it felt...off. Lia had been distant last night, though I chalked it up to pre-wedding jitters. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something she wasn’t telling me.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called, turning toward the sound.

The door creaked open, and Alina stepped inside. Her face was a mixture of determination and irritation, the kind she reserved for moments when she wanted to be heard—whether or not you agreed with her.

“Finn,” she said, closing the door behind her.

I sighed. “Alina, whatever it is, I don’t have time right now. The wedding is in a few hours.”

“That’s exactly why I’m here,” she replied, crossing her arms. “You can’t marry her.”

I froze, staring at her. “What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she said, stepping closer. “Lia is not the right person for you. She’s hiding something—no, many things—and I can’t just stand by and watch you ruin your life.”

My jaw tightened. “Alina, we’ve been over this. I love her. Whatever issues you have with Lia, keep them to yourself. Today is not the day for this conversation.”

“Don’t be naive, Finn,” she snapped. “Love isn’t enough when there are secrets and lies involved. You’re blinded by your feelings for her, but I see her for what she truly is—a liability.”

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my temper in check. “A liability? She’s the woman I’m about to marry, Alina. The woman I’ve chosen to spend the rest of my life with. You don’t have to like her, but you will respect her.”

“I’m trying to protect you,” she insisted, her voice rising. “Do you think she’s being honest with you? Why is she so close to Luca? Why does she always look like she’s hiding something?”

My fists clenched at my sides. “Stop it, Alina. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know more than you think,” she shot back. “I’ve seen the way she looks at Luca. Something is going on there, Finn, and if you go through with this marriage, you’re only setting yourself up for heartbreak.”

“That’s enough!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the room.

Alina flinched but didn’t back down. “Finn—”

“No,” I interrupted, pointing toward the door. “You’ve said your piece. Now get out.”

Her expression hardened. “You’ll regret this,” she said, her tone laced with anger and frustration. “When everything falls apart, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I turned away from her, unwilling to let her see the conflict her words had stirred within me. “Get out, Alina.”

For a moment, she didn’t move. I could feel her gaze boring into my back, waiting for me to turn around, to say something—anything—that would give her an opening to continue the argument. But I remained silent, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

Finally, I heard the door open and close, and the room fell quiet once more.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.

Alina’s words lingered, a nagging voice in the back of my mind. Was she right? Was Lia hiding something from me?

No. I couldn’t think like that. Lia loved me, and I loved her. Whatever doubts Alina had were her own, not mine.

Shaking my head, I focused on the day ahead. This wedding wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a declaration, a promise
that no matter what challenges came our way, we would face them together.

And not even Alina’s doubts could change that.