Seven days before the wedding, Ethan accompanied me to try on my wedding dress.
The pure white gown sparkled with tiny diamonds under the lights.
Holding up the hem, I stepped out of the fitting room. Ethan froze where he stood.
His eyes turned red-rimmed, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.
"Sophia," he rasped, "You're so beautiful it hurts."
His trembling fingers reached for my veil but stopped mid-air.
The glass door shattered violently.
A bloodied man crashed into the boutique, the metallic scent flooding the space instantly.
Lucas steadied himself against the doorframe, his gaze locking onto me.
"Sophia..." He dragged his injured leg forward. "I finally...found you."
I stumbled back, my waist hitting the display counter.
Ethan immediately shielded me. "Sir, you've mistaken her for someone else."
Tears welled in Lucas' bloodshot eyes. "Sophia! It's me!"
He lurched forward, leaving crimson handprints on the carpet.
"I was wrong... The System said if I found you, we could start over..."
Ice ran through my veins. "The System?"
Ethan's warm hand pressed against my back through the thin fabric.
Memories surged—the System had promised to erase all traces when I left.
Isabella appeared in the broken doorway.
White roses filled her arms, her pristine dress untouched by the chaos.
"Lucas!" Her shrill laughter cut through the air. "The whole city's watching you lose your mind over a ghost!"
Lucas whirled around. "Shut up! You deleted the footage but not my memories!"
He ripped open his shirt, revealing a chest marred by jagged scars.
"Each cut is my penance... Sophia, I killed everyone who stood in my way..."
Isabella suddenly screamed and charged at me, her nails aiming for my eyes.
Ethan blocked instantly, twisting her wrist with practiced ease.
Steel flashed.
Lucas' dagger plunged into Isabella's back.
Blood splattered across my veil.