Supernova (Stars Align #1)

PROLOGUE

Madelyn

I often find myself in situations where I can barely breathe.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Tears well up in my eyes as I take in my reflection in the full-length mirror.

Everything about my appearance is perfect in this moment. Hair in a low, artfully styled messy bun with a braided wraparound. Colored from my signature silver back to its natural golden brown—his preference. Makeup done in a natural smoky eye, a hint of blush, and cherry red lips for a pop of color. A gorgeous ivory, organza A-line dress with ruffles cascading to the floor, and a V-neck bodice with appliqued lace. I’m the picture-perfect bride.

“One final touch,” Camille says as she tucks a few cherry blossoms into my hair.

I blink back tears and take another deep breath.

Mom comes up behind me, squeezing my sister out of the way. “Oh honey! You look like a princess. So beautiful.”

“Ma, stop,” Camille chides. “You’re gonna make her cry and ruin all my hard work.”

Grams hands me my bouquet, a gorgeous mix of blush pink roses, calla lilies, and cherry blossoms. Quietly, she tells me, “You look absolutely radiant, but your smile doesn’t reach your eyes, dear.”

I turn from the mirror, no longer wanting to see my reflection. It’s a lie; I don’t recognize the girl staring back at me. I’m glad I look like perfection from the outside because inside...I’m a disaster. Most little girls spend their entire childhood dreaming of their wedding day. Every last detail. Mine is everything I thought I’ve ever wanted. Almost.

I ignore the pang in my chest when I think about the one thing that’s not what I’d pictured.

I can hear my mom and sisters talking, but their words aren’t registering. It’s all muffled background noise. Thinking back over the last six months, I try to pinpoint exactly when I started questioning whether or not this was what I truly wanted. I suppose if I’m honest with myself—I’ve always had doubts.

Accepting his proposal.

Planning the wedding.

Stepping inside this church today.

Through it all, there’s been something niggling at the back of my mind.

“Mads, you okay?” Presley asks, eyebrows furrowed.

I mentally shake off the negativity. Stupid nerves.

“I’m fine,” I reply with a forced smile.

She doesn’t believe me, but she doesn’t say anything else, responding with a barely perceptible nod.

My mom chimes in, “I’m sure she’s just nervous. It’s perfectly natural to have pre-wedding jitters.”

I tip my head in agreement, but deep down, I know it’s not a simple case of nerves. It’s something more. Something deeper. I won’t admit it—not even to myself.

Nothing about today feels right . The tightness in my chest and swirling in my gut amplify the deep sense of wrongness. Maybe I’m making a mistake. I love him—I do. We’ve been through so much over the last couple years. He helped me move forward. Allowed me to heal. How can that be wrong?

“You don’t have to do this, ya know?” Camille’s words make my heart stutter a few beats. “It’s not too late if this isn’t what you want.”

Sometimes I hate that my sisters can read me so well. There are three of us and people have always said we have triplet telepathy. We’ve been closely bonded since birth—physically, mentally, emotionally. They both know something is off. That I’m struggling. What Camille doesn’t know is that she nailed it right on the head. I’m having second thoughts.

I try to push everything down deep, forcing a smile. “Of course, this is what I want. I love him. Mom’s right; it’s just nerves.”

Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her, or myself.

Camille narrows her eyes, knowing I’m full of shit. Her mouth opens, but before she gets a word out, there’s a knock on the door.

It cracks open, my brother’s voice coming through. “Everyone decent?”

He doesn’t wait for an answer before he peeks his head through, hand covering his eyes.

I rush over, pull the door the rest of the way open and snatch his hand from his face. “Decent enough for you, big brother?”

His mouth opens and closes a few times, making him look like a fish. I almost giggle picturing him with fins and a tail.

“Wow!” He twirls his finger, gesturing for me to spin.

I turn slowly, a genuine smile on my face for the first time today.

“You look stunning, baby sis. He’s a lucky, lucky man.”

Throwing my arms around his waist, I squeeze him tight, but avoid smearing my makeup all over his tux.

Holden is one of my favorite people in the world. I can’t imagine it was easy for him growing up as not only the oldest, but as the only boy. He’s five years older than us girls and he’s always taken his role as protective older brother extremely seriously. I love him. So much.

“Thank you.” A tear escapes, leaving a wet trail down my cheek. Thank God for waterproof mascara or else I’d be facing Camille’s wrath.

“Are you ready for the first day of the rest of your life?” He pulls back slightly, holding my arms to look at me.

“Happy tears?” He asks, his gaze penetrating mine as he searches for the truth.

I try to keep up the happy bride facade, but my voice wavers when I reply, “Of course.”

Holden looks behind me, where Grams, mom, and our sisters are waiting. I don’t turn to see what he sees, but it’s only a moment before he pulls me from the room into the hallway.

“Let’s talk.”

“What do you want to talk about?” I ask, twiddling my fingers.

Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.

He’s always had this magical ability to see through me. To break down my walls. Today, my emotions can’t handle much more of trying to keep people out. The questions. The looks. I fear they’ll break my resolve. That can’t happen.

“Cut the shit, Mads. I know you too damn well to not know that something is bothering you.” He leans down so we’re eye to eye. “What’s going on?”

“Nerves. Wedding day jitters.” I bite my lip, lowering my eyes to the floor.

“Nope. I’m not buying it.” He grips my chin, forcing me to look at him. “It’s more than that, baby girl. Don’t hide from me. You know I only want the best for you. I want you happy.”

“I am happy. It’s my wedding day, Holden. I’m about to walk down the aisle and marry the man that I love. How could I not be happy?” My eyes lower again. It’s an involuntary reaction when I’m lying. I know it. Holden knows it.

“Madelyn.” My eyes snap to his, his tone leaving no argument. “If this is not what you want...tell me now. I’ll get you out of here. Just say the word.”

His head tilts to the side as he watches me. Calm. Assessing.

Deep down, some part of me wants to take him up on his offer. To run like hell.

But I’ve been through too much to run. When life gets hard, I run away. I refuse to do it again. I still regret the last time I ran and that’s something that I have to live with on my conscience. This is me moving forward, getting on with my life. Things may not be perfect, they may not be exactly what I’d planned, but life threw me a few curveballs along the way and I’m doing the best that I can.

Holden leans down, eye level with me again. “Baby girl?”

The concern in his expression is clear and it breaks a little piece of my heart. He worries so much. I can’t stand letting him down. I’ve put him through too damn much already.

“I want this.”

I pour everything I’ve got into my answer, determined to make him believe it so he won’t question me again. My family has been so supportive and understanding, even when they shouldn’t have been. Even when I pushed them all away and shut them out.

After watching me for a few moments, he nods, a grin forming on his face. “Alright then. Let’s go get you married.”

We make our way down the hallway, the others close behind. I don’t know when they joined us in the hall, but it’s not something I’m concerned with at the moment. Around the corner, my father waits with open arms and a brilliant smile from ear to ear.

“Absolutely beautiful, little star. You’re as pretty as a picture.”

Closing the distance between us, I envelop myself in his arms. Inhaling deeply, I breathe in his scent and relish the sense of comfort and security that it brings.

“It’s time.” He places a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I’m so proud of the woman that you’ve become. It’s my greatest honor to walk you down this aisle today to the man that you’ll spend your life with.”

A shiver works its way down my spine, goosebumps forming all over my skin.

Not the reaction I expected at his words, but I refuse to back down from this commitment. No more hesitation. No holding back. The only way to move is forward.

“I love you, little star.”

“I love you too, daddy.”

I look up to him with glistening eyes and a smile.

He takes my hand, placing it in the bend of his arm as we turn toward the altar.

Here goes nothing.

Canon in D begins to play, the attendants open the huge double doors.

My father and I take a few steps forward.

My breath catches.

I can finally see him, waiting at the end of the aisle with a smile on his face and a gleam in his eyes.

My future husband.

David Walker Williams.

Almost. He’s the almost everything is perfect, but he’s not the man I always pictured standing in that spot. I’ve made so many mistakes in the past. So many choices that led me to where I stand today. I take a deep breath. A step toward my future.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

For a split second, I think about the man I used to believe would be waiting at the end of the aisle. Only for a moment. That’s all I allow myself.

I can’t go back. Can’t do things differently, though I think I would.

This is my life now. My present and future. My past has no place here.

Bound, when I walk down the aisle, repeat my vows, and say, “I do."