Just as she finished, Neville’s voice came from the other end.


    He joked, “Just for tonight, set yourselves free.


    You’re getting married tomorrow.


    You’ll have plenty of time to be together in the future.


    ”


    Even though she wasn’t there, Ste felt like there were a thousand eyes on her.


    She was too embarrassed to look up.


    Quickly, she told Matthew, “Go back to your friends.


    I’ll see you tomorrow.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ”


    As she was about to hang up, Matthew suddenly said, “Honey, I love you.


    ”


    Ste’s heart skipped a beat.


    She’d heard those words from Matthew many times, but they felt different now.


    Maybe it was because tomorrow was her wedding day, and all her emotions were magnified.


    She replied sweetly, “I love you too.


    ”


    After she hung up, the living room was quiet, except for her racing heart.


    Ste couldn’t help but smile.


    With excitement, she soon drifted off to sleep.


    Ste tossed and turned, finding no rest in the embrace of night.


    Her dreams were a chaotic montage-a car crash, a glimpse of Be, and then a wedding, her and Matthew’s.


    At the wedding venue, guests celebrated with joyous chatter blending with clinking sses.


    Her steps toward Matthew felt like a dance under their shared blessings, until the scene twisted suddenly, Matthew falling and lying in a pool of blood, and guests scattering amidst blood…


    A piercing scream broke the silence as Ste jolted awake, eyes wide and searching in the darkness.


    Faint light blurred the line between dreams and reality, fear gripping her like unseen ws and suffocating her momentarily.


    It was a struggle to discern where the dream ended and the waking world began.


    Sitting upright, she gulped for air, the knock on the door a stark interruption to her tumultuous thoughts, soon joined by the cheerful banter of Juliette and Miley.


    Sunlight flooded in as the curtains parted like a grand reveal, forcing Ste to shield her eyes from its brilliance.


    Miley’s yful intentions faded as she took in Ste’s distressed appearance, her own demeanor shifting to concern in an instant.


    Sitting beside Ste, Miley gently wiped the sweat from her brow, concern evident in her voice.


    “Was it a nightmare?”


    Ste shook her head, her gaze wandering to the window where the first light of dawn painted the sky.


    Today marked her union with Matthew, a day of joy and promises, yet that haunting dream lingered like a shadow.


    Dreams were twisted mirrors of reality, each one a reversal of the waking world.


    Ste tried to reassure herself with a smile, pushing away the lingering unease.


    “I’m okay.


    Have the makeup artist and stylist arrived?”


    Miley scrutinized her for a moment, ensuring her improved state before responding, “They’ve been waiting a bit.


    When we didn’t see you, we decided to check in.


    ”


    “Hurry and freshen up.


    We don’t want to bete,” Juliette chimed in, a gentle reminder in her tone.


    With a nod, Ste pushed aside the lingering traces of her nightmare, rising from bed to ssh her face with cool water.


    Beyond the door, the stylist and makeup artist awaited, the wedding gown elegantly disyed on a mannequin.


    Sunlight danced upon the gown, intricate beadwork sparkling Like a constetion brought to Life.