My only worry was Dad. When he learned I was dead, the grief and guilt would destroy him.
After that little interruption, the livestream chat urged Pauline to show them the master bedroom.
Allan hesitated, but he could never resist when she pouted and wheedled.
He pushed open the door, and a magnificent embroidered wedding gown came into view.
The chat exploded.
"Oh my God, is that hand-stitched embroidery?"
"The phoenix on that gown looks alive. It's like something a noblewoman would've worn to her wedding in the old days."
Greed flickered in Pauline's eyes.
She shoved the camera close, her fingers tracing the dense, delicate stitching.
I screamed.
"Don't touch it with your filthy hands!"
That gown had been passed down through generations of my family. My grandmother gave it to my mother, and my mother gave it to me. She told me I'd be the most beautiful bride when I wore it.
I bit through the flesh inside my cheek, but all I could do was tremble.
I was nothing but a soul now. I couldn't touch anything. I couldn't do a single thing.
Pauline ran her hands over the gown like she couldn't get enough of it, then lifted it straight off the hanger.
The chat egged her on.
"Just put it on, Pauline! Do the whole wedding ceremony with your boyfriend!"
"Yes! I bet she'd look absolutely stunning in it!"
Pauline laughed shyly, tossing Allan a coy glance.
"But it's not mine. I can't just wear someone else's things, can I?"
Allan stared at the gown, and Olivia's smiling face flashed through his mind.
Just days ago, she'd told him she wanted him to dress her in this gown with his own hands on their wedding day.
She wanted to carry her family's blessings with her and be his beautiful bride.
Allan's throat bobbed. He caught Pauline's hand.
"You can't wear it. She'd be upset."
Pauline froze. It hadn't crossed her mind that Allan would refuse her.
The chat erupted, full of complaints.
"It's just letting Pauline try it on. What's the big deal?"
"Exactly, she's just wearing it for us to see. Nobody else will ever know."
Pauline's eyes reddened with hurt.
Her tears splashed onto the back of Allan's hand, and she bit down on her lower lip, looking small and wounded.
"Allan, I've never seen such a beautiful wedding gown in my life..."
"You like me, don't you? Don't you want to marry me?"
She pushed him back onto the bed and peeled off her clothes.
Acid surged up from my stomach. I doubled over at the edge of the bed and retched violently.
I'd picked out that bed. I'd washed those sheets with my own hands.
I'd believed that Allan and I would fall asleep in each other's arms on that bed.
But now he kissed Pauline hungrily, pressing her into the mattress beneath him.
The chat flooded with gifts, the viewers goading them on.
"Put on the gown! Put on the gown! Then consummate it!"
"We want the R-rated version! Give the people what they want!"
Allan dressed Pauline in the gown with his own hands. His palms slid along her back, then he gripped the nape of her neck and kissed her deeply.
Tears streamed down my face. I smiled bitterly.
He had betrayed every promise he ever made me. He had destroyed everything I held dear.
Allan Fox, I truly regretted ever loving you.
Allan took Pauline's hand and walked her through the vows. Then they shared a champagne toast.
They completed every step of a wedding ceremony, and as the viewers cheered, Allan swept Pauline into his arms and laid her on the master bed.
Pauline's gaze slid to the nightstand, to the framed photo of me and Allan. Her lips curled in triumph.
The look said it all. She'd won. Any man alive would fall at her feet.
My nails dug deep into my palms. I turned away, forcing myself to block out the breathy, tangled sounds behind me.
Just as they were about to go further, the bedroom door was kicked open.
Frances appeared in the doorway. The moment her eyes landed on the half-naked couple in bed, the color drained from her face.
She swept past me, crossed the room in three quick strides, and slapped Allan so hard his head snapped to the side.
"You ungrateful wretch! Do you have any idea that Olivia is in trouble?!"
