Chapter 27 Mia
Mia
I slip into the bridesmaids’ room, clutching my phone tight, trying not to let my nerves show. The other girls barely glance at me, but I can feel the tension swirling in the air—thinly veiled side-eyes, whispered conversations that stop as soon as I get close. It’s like I’m radioactive.
Why am I even here after everything that’s happened?
I catch sight of Olivia, Sarah’s second cousin, standing by the window, arms folded and lips twisted in a look that could cut glass. She doesn’t bother to hide her contempt; she just glares right through me like I’ve ruined the whole day by existing.
I try to focus on my breathing, keep my head high, but it’s impossible not to feel the bristle of their judgment, the silent question hanging over all of us—what is she doing here?
Then, the door swings open and everything stops.
Sarah steps out, her hair pinned up and her dress spilling around her in soft waves of white and ivory.
For a moment, I forget the room, the whispers, even Olivia’s dagger eyes.
Sarah looks ethereal, her cheeks flushed with excitement, her hands trembling just a little as she beams at all of us.
The tension in the room dissolves in an instant. All the girls turn, drawn like moths to Sarah’s light. Even Olivia’s glare slips away as she moves closer, her eyes wide, taking in every detail of Sarah’s dress.
We all circle around her, reaching for her hands, fussing with her veil, admiring the delicate beading and the way the fabric seems to shimmer in the sunlight.
For a few moments, we’re just a group of friends—laughing, gasping, trading quiet compliments.
I see genuine awe on every face, even from the ones who’d rather I wasn’t here.
Sarah laughs, a little shaky, blinking back happy tears as the room fills with a soft buzz. I squeeze her hand, letting her see just for a second how proud I am, how beautiful she looks.
Sarah steps carefully down from the platform, everyone’s attention fixed on her, the dress flowing behind her in a shimmer of white. Suddenly, there’s a quiet rip, almost lost beneath the chatter, and everyone freezes.
Madison gasps, guilt written all over her face. “Oh my god, Sarah, I’m so sorry! I stepped right on the hem—I didn’t see it.”
The room holds its breath. Sarah’s face drains of color. She whirls around, hands trembling, searching for the damage. “Is it bad? Please tell me it’s not bad.”
I kneel beside her, gently lifting the edge of the dress. There it is—a tiny tear near the hem, so small only someone searching for it would notice. “It’s nothing,” I say calmly, meeting her frightened eyes. “Seriously, I can fix this. Just need a needle and some white thread.”
The relief in her eyes is instant, but I see how close she is to falling apart. “You can really fix it?”
“Of course,” I promise, squeezing her hand. “You’ll be perfect. Trust me.”
One of the bridesmaids quickly finds a sewing kit.
I sit cross-legged on the floor, smoothing the fabric over my knee.
Sarah sits close, her hands fidgeting, trying not to cry.
I can feel the other girls watching as I thread the needle, but I block them out, focusing just on Sarah and the tiny stitches.
For a few moments, it’s just the two of us, the buzz of the other girls fading into the background.
Sarah lets out a shaky laugh. “I can’t believe this is happening. What kind of disaster am I, honestly?”
“You’re not a disaster,” I murmur, eyes on my stitching. “It’s just a dress. It’s fixable. We’ve survived worse, remember prom night?”
She grins, her whole face softening. “You mean when you had to pin my dress together with safety pins and hair clips?”
I smile back, flashing her a look. “Worked like a charm. Nobody noticed except for Mrs. Langley, and she always had it out for us.”
Sarah nudges me with her knee. “You always save me. Even now. God, Mia—I can’t believe I almost decided you shouldn’t even be in the wedding. I was so angry. I thought…I thought you’d try to ruin it, or ruin me.”
I pause, looking up at her. “I’d never do that to you. Not ever. Not even if you picked the world’s worst guy.”
She smiles, tears pricking at her eyes. “I know. I do. I think I just needed someone to blame when things started falling apart. I’m sorry.”
I reach out, squeezing her hand. “You don’t have to apologize. You’re here, I’m here. That’s what matters.”
Sarah wipes her eyes and manages a watery laugh. “When did you get so wise?”
I smirk, tying off the last stitch. “Somewhere between prom night and now, I guess. It happens.”
She leans in, her voice quiet so only I can hear. “Thank you, Mia. I’m glad you’re here. I hope you find someone who makes you happy, the way I always thought you deserved.”
I smile up at her, my heart warm, thinking of my three men and the way they’ve changed my life. “I think I already have,” I say softly, my eyes shining.
Sarah studies me, her gaze lingering on my loosened curls. She laughs, wiping at her eyes. “Mia, what happened to your hair? You look like you rolled straight out of bed—or maybe off a mattress.”
I laugh, brushing a strand behind my ear, cheeks burning. “Well—” I begin, not sure if I’m about to tell her the truth or make something up, but just then someone knocks at the door, calling for Sarah. The moment slips away as the girls gather around again, fussing over Sarah’s veil and flowers.
As I tie off the last stitch, I glance up to catch Sarah’s grateful smile. For a fleeting moment, it feels like everything is right in the world—just the two of us, together, like nothing’s ever changed.
We’re still giggling quietly, lost in our little bubble, when there’s a knock at the door. Jason’s voice cuts through the room, too loud, too confident. “Sarah, don’t worry. I’ve fixed everything. The wedding will be a bit delayed, but we’re getting married tonight, I promise.”
I roll my eyes and, without thinking, call out, “You know it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, Jason.”
He pushes open the door anyway, his mouth twisting. “I thought we decided she wasn’t going to be the maid of honor anymore.”
Sarah sighs, already tired, and gives him a pleading look. “Can we not do this right now?”
Jason ignores her, his gaze hard as he surveys the room. The air goes tense.
“Girls, can you give us a moment?” Sarah glances at the other bridesmaids, and with a few awkward looks and mumbled excuses, they slip out, leaving just the three of us.
My cheeks burn as Jason turns on me. Sarah folds her arms, jaw set, and looks between us. “Jason, what are you doing?”
Jason jabs an accusing finger at me. “Mia and your uncles stole the marriage license,” he announces, loud and triumphant, as if he’s finally exposed me for what I am.
Sarah’s mouth falls open. “What? Jason, that’s ridiculous. Mia—?”
I swallow, pulse racing, looking from Sarah to Jason. “I didn’t steal anything, Sarah. Jason, you lost it. Don’t blame me because you can’t keep track of your own paperwork.”
Sarah turns to me, eyes searching, her voice quiet but heavy. “Mia…is that true? Did you take the license?”
Before I can answer, Jason barrels ahead, pointing at me, his words a battering ram.
“Don’t play innocent, Mia. I know you and your little support group of uncles have been out to get me since the start.
You can’t stand that Sarah chose me. You’re jealous, you’re bitter, and now you’re sabotaging her wedding. ”
My throat tightens. “Jason, stop—”
He cuts me off, voice rising. “You’re a liar, Mia. You always have been. And you’re desperate enough to ruin your best friend’s happiness just to get your way.”
Sarah stands frozen, eyes bouncing between us. She doesn’t say a word, just presses her lips together, knuckles white where she clutches her handkerchief.
I feel myself unraveling, my cheeks burning, the sting of tears at the back of my eyes. “Are you seriously going to stand there and let him slander me?” I ask Sarah, voice trembling. “After everything? You’re just going to believe him over me?”
Jason snorts. “She can’t believe you, Mia, because it’s the truth. You’re toxic, and you always twist everything to make yourself the victim.”
I look at Sarah, desperate, voice barely more than a whisper. “Sarah, please. I would never hurt you. Never.”
Sarah’s silence is deafening. She doesn’t move. Doesn’t defend me. My heart cracks a little, the room suddenly far too small and too bright.
Jason’s face twists with ugly satisfaction.
“You want to know what else, Sarah? She’s a whore.
She’s been sleeping with all three of your uncles.
That’s why they’re so quick to cover for her—she’s got them wrapped around her finger.
” He smirks, glancing at me with cold triumph.
“Marcus almost beat me up earlier for trying to get the truth out of her.”
Sarah’s eyes go wide, disbelief and shock mingling on her face. She looks at me like she’s seeing a stranger. “Mia…I can’t believe you’d stoop so low. Was this all just to get back at me?”
My hands are shaking now, anger and heartbreak warring in my chest. The world goes quiet, then everything inside me snaps. “That’s enough!” I yell, my voice echoing off the walls. Jason flinches, but I barely see him.
I turn to Sarah, forcing myself to meet her eyes, my own swimming with tears.
“I love you, Sarah. You’re my best friend.
And yes—it’s true, I’m seeing your uncles.
I hope you can be happy for me, I do. But if you can’t, that’s your choice, and there’s nothing more I can do.
And as for your fiancé—he tried to hit me.
If you can’t believe that either, then I really have nothing left to give. ”
Jason scoffs, but I don’t even look at him.
I turn back to Sarah, voice trembling but clear. “And yes, I love them—all three of them. I never planned for it, but it’s real. Jason, you gave me nothing but a world of hurt, and still, Sarah, you chose him over our friendship. I wish things were different.”
Jason tries to cut in, voice oily with accusation. “She’s manipulating you again, Sarah—can’t you see it?”
I round on him, my voice cold and forceful. “Shut the fuck up, Jason.”
He falls silent, for once caught off guard by the strength in my voice.
Sarah stares at me, her expression twisting. “You’re seriously bringing that up now? If you’re so resentful, Mia, why did you even come to the wedding?”
For a moment, I just look at her—really look.
I see the walls she’s built around herself, the way she clings to Jason like he’s her lifeline, not her anchor.
I could tell her everything—the lies, the rumors, the secrets, the things I know about him that should break her heart.
I could tell her about the possible murder, the fact that Jason might still be married to someone else.
None of it would matter. She’s already made her choice.
I take a deep breath, stand tall, and gather whatever’s left of my dignity. “Be well, Sarah,” I say quietly, voice steady despite the ache inside me. Then I turn and walk out, shutting the door behind me and choosing, finally, to stop breaking myself for someone who refuses to listen.