Whispers Of The Hearts

d fresh, the sky a deep shade of blue, and Meadowbrook had come alive in the way only a small town could. Banners fluttered in the breeze, the local bakery fi

all, she couldn't shake the feeling that so

etail was perfect. Sophie's mother hovered nearby, holding a cup of coffee in one hand while giving frantic orders with the other. Charlotte had expected to feel mor

the porch railing, watching the town come alive in front of her. Meadowbrook had always been beautiful, in a serene and quiet w

e. Without turning around, Charlotte already knew who it was. The sam

from behind her, quieter than she would have expected.

amiliar feeling of unease settled in her chest, but she quickly masked it with a smile

that way." He paused, as if deciding whether or not to continue. "I th

once. But that was a lifetime ago. Before everything fell apart. Before she left Meado

nt laughing, of shared dreams, and of the love they had once thought would last forever. She quickly pushed those thoughts aside, re

is presence was magnetic, and despite her attempts to remain composed, Charlo

forced herself to sound casu

gaze steady but searching. "I mean... ten years.

the way his words made her feel. "Thi

en in years. He opened his mouth as if to say somethin

and a hint of panic. "Charlotte, we need your help with the veil. Come on! The ceremony

f them said anything, but they both knew it was time to step back into their roles. He was the g

d smile before walking back toward the house. She could feel his eyes

omantic, and filled with the kind of joy that only a small-town wedding could bring. The ceremony took place in the town square, surrounded by row

lotte watched from the front row, her heart swelling with pride for her best friend. This was th

kered to Ethan, standing at the altar, his jaw set in that way she remembered from their younger days. He was watching Sophie with the same intensity he used to watch Charlotte when they

grow up, she couldn't help but wonder about her own choices, her own life. Sophie had found love again, and here Charlotte was, in the sam

lause, but Charlotte's mind was elsewhere. She had managed to avoid Ethan during the ceremony, but

as filled with excitement, the evening stretching ahead with promises of dancing, laughter, and celebration. Charlotte stood with the

s away," Sophie said, nudging Charlo

dding quickly. "Yeah, just..

ing her closely. "You're not st

uestion, her heart skipping

r. "Look, I get it. It's complicated. But you need to stop running from it. Whatever happened betwe

hing she had tried to forget. But Sophie was right. It did matter. Ethan had been the person who had shaped her, who had

e replied, her voice tight with emotion. "I just.

squeeze. "Just be honest with yourself. You've been carry

ht of Sophie's words settle on her heart. The truth was, she

gh the open doors, the sound of laughter and cel

han. But it was hard to pretend when everything about this place fel

It was time to confront it all. The past

erything wo