She woke exhausted. The sun came up too fast, and everything from that moment on felt like it was moving underwater.
The wedding prep at the venue swirled around her — flowers arriving, bridesmaids chatting, photographers asking for staging — but she drifted through it, half-numb, going through the motions.
Still, she put on the dress.
The ceremony was moments away. Guests were taking their seats.
Sofia stood in the bridal suite, breathing slowly while her maid of honor adjusted her veil.
Her mother was crying softly in the corner.
A breeze came in through the open window, carrying the scent of the lake.
Then, minutes before walking down the aisle, Sofia thought she heard someone say Ethan’s name — loudly.
She walked out of the room and happened to spot her grandmother slipping through a side door, her hand gripping Ethan’s arm.
They moved quickly, unaware that anyone had seen them.
A flicker of panic flashed through Sofia’s chest.
“I’ll be right back,” she muttered.
She followed them down the hall.
As she approached a narrow service room near the back of the venue, she heard voices — heated, strained.
She slowed down.
“…You’re Victor’s son,” Grandma Nina said, and Sofia froze.
Her breath caught, and her heart pounded.
Curious as to what was going on, she pushed the door open and froze when she saw Grandma Nina clutching an old, worn photograph, her hand shaking as she held it toward Ethan.
He looked stunned, pale, like someone caught halfway through a lie.
Grandma Nina turned as Sofia entered.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t know for sure until just now. I didn’t know who he was until I saw his face beside that suit.”
The photograph showed a man standing beside a young woman — Grandma Nina, decades ago.
The groom in the image looked exactly like Ethan.
He had the same eyes and the same jawline.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
“I married him,” Grandma Nina said, her voice cracking. “His name was Victor. He left me after two months. I never knew what happened to him.”
She turned to Ethan.
“And now you’re here. His son. You’re Victor’s son.”
Sofia looked at Ethan, waiting for him to say something… anything.
But Ethan stared at the floor, face pale.
He didn’t speak.
Then, quietly, he said, “I can’t do this.”
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