Chapter 2: The Name No One Dared Say
Colleen’s smile died so fast it looked painful. She spun toward him, veil flying. “Elias—what are you doing? She’s nobody. She doesn’t belong here.”
Elias didn’t look at her. He stepped down from the altar, slow and sure, past the flower petals, past the shocked priest, straight toward me. His tux fit like it was carved for him, dark and solid, like nothing could shake him.
“I know exactly who she is,” he said, loud enough for the front row to hear. “And I know exactly why you hit her.”
He stopped right in front of me, pulled a crisp white handkerchief from his pocket, and held it out. His fingers didn’t shake.
“Your lip’s bleeding,” he said quiet, only for me. “Don’t let them see you wipe it away like you’re sorry.”
I took it, my hand trembling. “You know my name.”
“I’ve known it for three years,” he said. “I’ve been looking for you for three years.”
Behind us, Colleen let out a shrill laugh. “You’re insane! You don’t know what she did! She’s a liar, a thief—”
“Stop,” Elias said. One word, and she went silent like someone had flipped a switch. He turned back to me, eyes steady. “Clara Bennett… do you remember the night your parents’ house burned down?”
The room tilted. I grabbed the table behind me to stay upright.
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