My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 94: Breaking the fourth rule

Stephen's POV

There I was.

Standing at the altar.

The air inside the chapel felt too thick to breathe. White roses lined the aisle, their scent cloying and sweet, almost nauseating. Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting fractured colors across Patricia's gown as if heaven itself was watching this lie unfold.

My hands were steady.

Too steady.

Inside, I was unraveling.

Patricia's fingers were laced with mine, her nails digging slightly into my skin — a silent warning. Her smile was flawless. Calculated. Victorious.

She thought she had already won.

The priest's voice droned on, but I couldn't hear a word of it.

All I could hear was Sharon laughing in my memory.

All I could see was her hand resting protectively over her stomach.

Our baby.

Before her world became unstable.
Before everything spiraled.
Before she disappeared.

And I was here.

Pretending.

⸻

TWO DAYS AGO

"There's a wedding?"

Katherine's voice sliced through the living room like a blade.

She held the invitation card as if it were something contaminated. The paper trembled in her hands. The television was on mute behind her, some afternoon show playing silently while the real drama unfolded in front of her.

Patricia made me do it.

Her rules echoed in my head like commandments.

Rule one: No police. No family involvement.
Rule two: Act like Sharon meant nothing. It was always her.
Rule three: Kiss her at the altar. Convince everyone.
Rule four: Don't try to be smarter than her.

That last one almost made me laugh.

I was born playing this game.

"I cannot believe this," Katherine whispered, pacing now. "My daughter is missing. She's pregnant. Pregnant with your child. And you're telling me you're getting married?"

Her voice cracked on the last word.

"She will never believe this," she continued. "We trusted you. You ate at my table. You called me Mom."

Her eyes hardened.

"Get out."

"Katherine, please, just listen—"

"Get out before I call security."

The air felt electric.

Carly stepped forward, her eyes glassy but fierce.

"You broke her," she said quietly. "And now this?"

"It's fake," I said quickly, lowering my voice.

Silence.

"What?" Carly asked.

"The wedding. It's fake. Patricia thinks it's real. My dad and I planned it."

Katherine froze mid-step.

"Explain. Carefully."

I swallowed.

"Patricia abducted Sharon."