The morning light filtered through Emma’s bedroom window, casting a soft glow across the room. Emma Carter sat on the edge of her bed, her phone clutched in one hand, her other hand pressed against her chest as if to hold her heart together. Three weeks. That was all she had left until she became Mrs. Liam Anderson, and everything she had ever dreamed of would finally come true.
“Good morning, future Mrs. Anderson!” Sophia’s cheerful voice chirped from the other end of the line. Emma forced a smile that her best friend couldn’t see. Sophia Miller, her maid of honor, had been there through everything – the first date with Liam, the romantic proposal at the Space Needle, the endless wedding planning sessions. Sophia was more than a friend; she was the sister Emma never had.
“Good morning, Soph. What time are we meeting at the venue?” Emma’s voice sounded thin to her own ears, like she was already fading away.
“Eleven o’clock sharp! Don’t forget the final sample board for the centerpieces. The wedding planner said she needs to approve everything today or we’re going to have to pay extra for rush shipping.” Sophia paused, and Emma could hear the sound of papers rustling in the background. “Also, Liam wanted me to tell you that he might be running a bit late. Something about a client emergency.”
Emma’s stomach did a familiar flip. This was the third time this week that Liam had a “client emergency” right when they were supposed to do something wedding-related. The pattern was becoming impossible to ignore. But she pushed the doubt aside. Liam was building his real estate career, and this was what success looked like. Her mother had reminded her of that just yesterday. “Men need their space to focus, Emma. Don’t be that clingy fiancée.”
“Okay, I’ll be there early to set up. Can you bring the flowers? You know which ones I want, right?” Emma already knew Sophia would remember. Sophia remembered everything, from Emma’s coffee order to her fear of spiders, from her dream wedding dress to the way she cried during every single romantic movie they watched together.
“Of course I remember! White roses with baby’s breath, just like you’ve wanted since you were twelve years old. I’ll be there by ten-thirty to help you arrange them.” Sophia’s voice softened. “You okay, Em? You sound… tired.”
Emma hesitated. How could she explain the knot that had been growing in her stomach for weeks? The way Liam sometimes looked at his phone with a guilty expression before quickly turning it face down? The way Sophia had become increasingly busy with her “influencer events” and cancelled their girls’ nights out? But these were just wedding jitters. Everyone said the final weeks before a wedding were stressful.
“I’m just wedding-planning tired, you know? It’s all the decisions, the budget meetings, making sure everything is perfect.” Emma stood up and walked to her closet, pulling out the dress she planned to wear to the venue meeting – a simple blue sundress that Liam always said made her eyes sparkle. “I’ll be fine once all this is over and I’m married to the love of my life.”
Sophia laughed, but it sounded a little too bright. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, Emma. Liam is so lucky to have you.” There was a pause, and then Sophia’s voice became distant. “I’ll see you at the venue. Don’t be late!”
Emma pressed end call and stared at her phone for a long moment. The knot in her stomach tightened. Why did she feel like she was forgetting something important? Why did her intuition keep screaming that something was terribly wrong?
The Grandview Estate was the most exclusive wedding venue in Seattle, with panoramic views of the Puget Sound and a ballroom that could accommodate three hundred guests. Emma and Liam had put down a non-refundable deposit six months ago, draining most of their savings. But it was worth it. This would be the most perfect day of their lives.
Emma pulled into the parking lot at ten-thirty, carrying her sample board and a tote bag filled with fabric swatches, color charts, and the handwritten notes she’d been making about table arrangements for months. The morning fog had burned off, revealing a stunningly clear day. Perfect weather for perfect plans.
“Emma! Over here!” Sophia waved from the entrance, already dressed in a stunning red dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Emma felt a twinge of envy – Sophia had always been the more stylish one, the one who could throw on anything and look runway-ready. But Emma pushed the thought away. They were best friends, not competitors.
“You look amazing, Soph! That color is so…” Emma started to say, but Sophia cut her off with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“Oh, this old thing? I just grabbed it from my closet. This is about you and your perfect wedding day.” Sophia linked her arm through Emma’s and pulled her toward the entrance. “Liam called me. He’s actually already here! He said he wanted to get a head start on reviewing the catering menu with the venue manager.”
Emma’s heart swelled. Liam was already here, prioritizing their wedding even with his busy schedule. “That’s so sweet of him. I feel bad that I’ve been so stressed about him missing our meetings lately.”
Sophia’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You know how he is, Em. Ambitious men sometimes lose track of what really matters. But deep down, he loves you.”
The Grandview Estate was even more beautiful than Emma remembered. The ballroom was empty except for the long banquet tables that would eventually seat their guests. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making everything glow with golden warmth. But something felt off – the silence was too heavy, the stillness too complete.
“Liam?” Emma called out, her voice echoing in the empty room. No answer. “Maybe he’s in one of the side rooms?”
