The smell of flowers is intoxicating—gentle and sweet to my nose. It’s been two months since I agreed to marry Lance.

Today we celebrate our engagement with the rest of Lance’s family. We wanted to wait until Caleb got back from Hong Kong so Lance could have all his brothers present.

In spite of my initial hesitation, not once in the past few weeks have I doubted my decision to be Lance’s wife.

Being here, inside the LaClaire Hotel restaurant, everything feels so right. Each member of his family has welcomed me with open arms, delighted that in only a few weeks, I will officially become one of them.

Bryant is the last of his brothers to make a toast to us. The way he’s looking at Lance warms my heart. He really believes that I can make his brother happy.

“Lance, you couldn’t have chosen a better wife.” Bryant raises his glass of non-alcoholic champagne. The light from the chandeliers bounces off the glass.

“Wait a second.” Brooke LaClaire, Derrick’s pregnant wife, places a hand on top of Bryant’s. “I’m sure Grace will agree that we should warn Jia before she enters into this family.” She winks at Grace and laughter breaks out.

“I certainly agree,” Grace laughs. “I don’t think we’ll be able to sleep well at night if we don’t tell her the truth.”

“Jia, being married to a LaClaire man is the most beautiful thing you’ll ever experience.” Brooke kisses her husband’s cheek. “But you should always have your door open. When you’re married to one, you’re married to all.”

“And secrets do not exist in this family,” Grace adds. “They tell each other everything.”

I try to join in the laughter, but instead, I only croak. I quickly cover my discomfort with a smile and a downward glance.

“One more thing,” Brooke adds. “These brothers love each other more than they love us. The only way to deal with it is to accept it.”

“So true.” Grace lets out a peal of laughter. “They sometimes pretend to get on each other’s nerves, but it’s all a cover.”

“Damn!” Caleb drags a hand through his sandy blond hair. “They’re on to us. We were so careful.”

All the brothers laugh.

“Is it too late to change my mind?” I ask with a small laugh that doesn’t feel genuine to my own ears.

“Absolutely not,” Lance says. “I’m not letting you go anywhere.”

Underneath the table, I place a hand on his thigh and keep it there, assuring him and myself that everything will be all right, that nothing will ever come between us.

“Can I finish the toast now?” Bryant asks, glancing at both Grace and Brooke.

“Since she hasn’t bolted yet, I guess you should.” Brooke picks up her glass.

Bryant raises his glass again. “I really don’t have much more to say, Jia, except that we all look forward to having you as part of our family. You and Lance are such a beautiful couple. We are grateful to you for showing him how to live again. May you make each other ridiculously happy.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I love your family, and I cannot wait to be a part of it.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” Lance says and kisses me.

The moment our lips part, the hairs on the back of my neck rise up and bristle. As more jokes are thrown around, and everyone starts to finish their desserts, I turn to look behind me.

At the table not too far away from ours is a man and a woman. The woman is saying something to the man, but he doesn’t seem to be paying any attention to her. His gaze moves past her shoulder to meet mine.

I can pretend it’s my mind trying to make me crazy, but deep down I know this is real. I can pretend he’s no one—a stranger—but it would be a lie. A shiver of panic riots within me.

He looks much older than his thirty-nine years, a sprinkling of gray in his thick, dark hair glinting in the light. But it’s him, and he’s here at a time I should be celebrating instead of being fearful of the past. Once upon a time those dark eyes had both excited and terrified me all at once. Now all I feel is dread as his gaze pierces through me like a dagger.

A slow, sickening grin spreads across his face, then he winks.

Bitter bile burns the back of my throat, and I push it back down. I peel my gaze from his and return to my conversation with the LaClaires, but I feel cold, and the rush in my ears prevents me from hearing what they’re all discussing. Bryant is saying something to me, but I can’t hear a word. It doesn’t stop me from pretending to listen, bobbing my head every few seconds, forcing a smile.

Still fully aware of his gaze touching the nape of my neck, I pick up my glass, doing my best not to tremble as I bring it to my lips. Before I can take a sip, it slips from my grasp and hits the table with a thud before falling to the carpeted floor. I lower my gaze in horror in time to see the stem of the glass snapping in two. The clear liquid is instantly sucked up by the carpet.

The waiter appears immediately to clean up my mess while Lance rubs my back. He whispers into my ear, but I don’t hear. Unable to stop myself, I turn my head and glance back at the table where my past is sitting. But he’s no longer there.

I wish I was imagining it all, but my body and my heart tell me I’m wrong.

Even though I can’t see him anymore, I can feel his presence all around me.

“Are you looking for something?” Grace whispers and I straighten up so fast I hear a crack in my spine.

Swallowing hard, I shake my head. “No, nothing.”

I inhale deeply and my nose captures the scent of musk and leather that transports me instantly back to the past.

Lance takes my hand and whispers, “Are you okay, babe?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” I twirl a lock of my hair around my finger. “I have a terrible headache, that’s all.” I say the words without looking at him, afraid he might see through me. What if he discovers my secrets? What if he finds out I’m not the person he thinks I am?

He places a hand on my cheek and turns me to face him. I blink away the film of tears threatening to cloud my eyes and do my best to smile brighter, to look happy. “I’m sorry if I ruined the evening.”

“Because you dropped a glass?” He shakes his head. “Don’t worry about that. It can happen to anyone. If you’re not feeling well, we should call it a night. You come first.”

“But it’s our engagement dinner.”

“Hey, you have nothing to worry about,” Neal says. “We all enjoyed dinner together, and we already toasted to your wedding. You’ve experienced the whole evening already.”

“And honey, you shouldn’t worry so much about the wedding planning,” Grace adds. “It can be stressful. That’s why you have a wedding planner. I heard Iris Dixon is fantastic. If you need anything else, I’m here. That’s my job as a matron of honor.”

“Don’t allow stress to take over.” Brooke brings her luscious copper hair to one side of her neck. “Enjoy every moment.”

“Thank you so much, everyone, for understanding.” I take another glance at the empty table where my worst nightmare had sat only a few minutes ago. He’s still not there.

“Should we go?” Lance asks.

“In a minute.” I push my chair back and stand. “I need the ladies room first.”

My legs are unsteady as I walk away from the table. But I keep walking, weaving my way through the elegant, candlelit tables. The lights coming from the candlelit centerpieces are blurred as tears fill my eyes. I pick up my pace before someone sees me crying.

In the marble bathroom, I lock myself inside a spacious stall and drop onto the toilet seat. My head falls into my hands, and I shut my eyes, squeezing out the tears. I wipe away the tears with toilet paper.

“Stop it,” I whisper furiously to myself. I take several deep breaths. When more tears flood my eyes, I tip my head back and blink them away, trying not to think about the past and how it could blow my whole life apart.

I step out of the stall, and my heart jumps to my throat. Grace is standing in front of the sinks, refreshing her coral lipstick. She turns away from the mirror with a kind smile.

Should I confide in her? She’s always been so good to me. Maybe she’ll understand.

It kills me to keep my secret all to myself. But I have no other choice. I can’t tell Grace or anyone else. If anybody finds out who I really am and what I did, they’ll turn their backs on me.

I watch as Grace rummages inside her purse and pulls out a small, blue bottle. “Have one of these painkillers.” She presses a pearly, white pill into my hand. “You’ll feel better.”

“Thank you.” I press my lips tightly together.

Grace is watching me with an unreadable expression, a hand moving down her long, blonde curls. “Are you sure you’re okay? Apart from the headache, I mean.”

“Yes, sure.” I avert my gaze.

“It’s just that you haven’t really been yourself the past few days. You’ve been distant. Are you having doubts again…about marrying Lance?”

“Of course not. I love him so much, Grace.” I pop the pill into my mouth and pick up one of the glasses on the marble counter. “He’s everything to me.”

“Of course he is.” Grace’s expression softens. “I just wanted to make sure you’re happy.”

“I really am.” I fill the glass with water and use it to wash the pill down, even though my head is just fine. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Good. But take it easy. I’m here to help you with whatever you need.”

I throw myself into her arms and allow the calla lily scent of her perfume to wrap around me. “Thank you, Grace. I really appreciate you.” I pull away and gaze into her eyes. “You’re such a lovely person, and I’m lucky to call you my friend.”

“And soon, you’ll be able to call me your sister.” Her expression stills and grows serious. “I really wish your parents were alive to attend your wedding.”

I nod and look away. “Me too.”

“I’ll see you outside, sweetie.” Grace brushes my arm and leaves the ladies room, the skirt of her ivory and gold dress swinging from side to side.

Moments after she’s gone, my phone vibrates inside my purse. I don’t need to look at it to know it’s him. With every vibration of the phone, my entire world shakes.

Ignoring the call, I grab the edge of the sink so tight a nail breaks. My broken nail is the least of my problems. I take a few more minutes to collect myself, waiting for the call to end. Once it does, I return to the dining area.

When Lance sees me, he stands up.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

“Much better. Grace gave me a painkiller.”

“Good. Ready to go?” he asks, and I nod.

I thank everyone for the lovely evening and apologize again for leaving early, then I walk out of the restaurant with my husband to be. Hugs and kisses are shared to say goodnight.

As I walk out the door with my fiancé by my side, I can’t help wondering whether this wedding is going to happen or if the past will step in to stop it.