A Night To Forget, A Lifetime To Remember.

together and get to know each other before the wedding. It made sense-after all, t

fully kept gardens, and peaceful lake seemed like a dream, yet felt overwhelming. The ma

mily pictures hung in fancy frames. Crystal chandeliers added to the sense of luxury. Their room was beautifull

way at the end of a hallway. The room was dim, with thick drapes and shelves lined with d

s she found a stack of papers inside. At first glance, they seemed like ordinary documents, b

s Em

ousekeeper stood in the doorway, her e

ily shoving the papers back into the

n shifted to the desk. "You shouldn't be in

her and out of the room. Her heart was still pounding as she h

eacon of uncertainty. Her mind reeled with unanswered questions. What other secrets a

ind peace in the silence. But the quietness only made her feel more anxious. the weight of it pr

istance felt heavier now. Taking a deep breath, Emily dialed Sar

!" Sara exclaimed. "What'

has been too long. Things

about Jack? Have you talked t

"Not really," she admitted. "It's been chaotic since that nigh

ng through this." She paused, seeking to brighten the topic. "So, how's

ng the engagement ring on her finger

s disbelief w

. He swept me off my feet when everything wit

serious, and you

her. "I'm sorry Sara, It all happened so f

" Sara's voice was quieter now, he

. "I...I think so. James has been wonderful in so many ways. S

ansion, the strange documents in the study. But she couldn't bring herself to tell Sara the full truth. Not yet. Sh

her. She turned to see James standing in the doorway, h

to?" he asked, his to

keeping her voice li

m. Sara. Funny, you've nev

ad," Emily said quickly.

ce laced with sarcasm. "And make sure she knows how lucky she'll be to attend the wedding-if she's ev

ning around the phone. "You're r

her end of the line.

" she told Sara. "And we can't wait for you to be there. I'

adable. "I don't like surprises, Emily," he said. "I wou

ling a strange mix of resentment and embarrassment. Why did it feel like she'd done something wr

ing their brief, awkward encounter. She couldn't shake the feeling

made her way to the room, her thoughts consumed

d, Emily heard muffled voices in the hal

who had seen her in the study earlier. Hi

snapped. "That room is off-limits. M

es glanced down the hallway, his eyes scanning the shadows. For a moment, Emily th

t? She couldn't shake the feeling that she had stepped int

ed open. Her pulse quickened as James stepped inside, his

simply walked to his side of the bed, slipped

ely ignoring her? Should she apologize? Or will that make things worse? Did she ju

f she was overreacting. But despite her efforts to calm

tense with worry. Even though she was e