I stare at myself in the mirror and try to feel something.

The dress is perfect. White lace, long train, tiny pearls along the edges. My hair is pinned up with flowers. I look like a princess. I look like a bride.

I should be crying happy tears right now. That's what happens in movies. The girl looks in the mirror and cries because she's so happy.

But I just feel... weird.

Not sad. Just weird. Like something is sitting heavy in my stomach and won't leave.

Stop it, Sera. It's your wedding day. You're marrying Alex Thorne.

I met him two years ago at a college thing. He was different from all the other rich guys who walk around like they own everything. He actually talked to me. Listened to me. Made me feel like I mattered.

He chased me for months. Months. I kept thinking why me? I'm just a girl whose mom died young, whose dad runs a small business that's always struggling. I worked my way through college. I'm not rich or famous or special.

But Alex looked at me like I was.

And now here I am. In a fancy room. In a fancy dress. About to become his wife.

So why can't I breathe right?

There's a knock. My dad comes in and stops when he sees me.

"Oh, sweetheart." His eyes get all wet. "You look just like your mother."

That gets me. A real feeling finally. I blink fast. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." He comes over and takes my hands. His are shaking a little. "She would be so proud. I'm so proud."

I squeeze his fingers. "You okay? You seem nervous."

"Me?" He laughs but it sounds fake. "I'm fine. Just... it's a big day. Your first daughter getting married." He looks away. "Big day."

I want to ask more but Chloe bursts in.

"Oh my god, you look amazing!" She runs to me and hugs me too hard. She smells like champagne already. "The dress! The hair! Everything!"

Chloe is my half sister. Same dad, different mom. She's blonde and pretty and always seems to know exactly what to say. We were never close but lately she's been around a lot. Alex's mom likes her. Alex seems to like her too.

I hate that I notice that.

"Thanks, Chloe." I pull back. "You look nice."

She's in this pale blue dress that probably cost more than my rent. "I have the best surprise for the reception! Everyone is going to love it."

"What is it?"

"It's a surprise, dummy." She smiles. "But trust me. It's going to be perfect."

Dad's phone buzzes. He looks at it and his face goes white for just a second.

"Dad?"

"I gotta take this. Be right back." He almost runs out.

Chloe watches him go and rolls her eyes. "He's so weird today. Anyway, you ready? People are waiting."

I look in the mirror one more time. The girl staring back doesn't look like me but I have to go.

"I'm ready."

The walk down the aisle is a blur.

Everyone stands, the music plays and I hold my flowers and try not to trip.

Alex is at the end. He looks so good in his suit. Dark hair, brown eyes, that smile that made me fall for him. He watches me walk toward him and for a second everything feels right.

Then I pass his parents.

Lydia Thorne is elegant and sharp. She smiles at me but it's the kind of smile you give someone you're still deciding about. Like she's shopping and hasn't picked yet.

Marcus Thorne doesn't even look at me. He stares straight ahead like I'm not there. He's old with silver hair and cold eyes. Everyone says he's ruthless. That he doesn't care about people, only money.

I shiver a little and keep walking.

Finally I reach Alex. He takes my hand. His fingers are warm.

"You're mine now," he whispers.

I smile. "I always was."

The priest talks. We say the vows. "I do." "I do."

Rings go on fingers.

"You may kiss the bride."

Alex pulls me close and kisses me and everyone claps and for one perfect minute I forget the heavy feeling in my stomach.

I'm married. I'm Mrs. Alexander Thorne.

Nothing can go wrong now.

The reception is loud and pretty and full of champagne.

I float around talking to people I don't know, smiling until my face hurts. Alex is always nearby with his hand on my back like he's showing me off. Like I'm his favorite thing.

I don't hate it.

At some point I'm standing by the cake talking to one of his boring cousins when I look across the room and see Chloe. She's watching me with a bad look, she raises her glass.

I raise mine back. Maybe I was wrong about her, maybe she's just trying.

Then she walks to the front of the room and taps her glass with a fork.

"Everyone! Can I have your attention please?"

The music stops and people turn.

Chloe's smile is so big I just know something is up. "I have a surprise for my sister and her new husband. A little trip down memory lane."

My stomach feels funny i don't know why. It just does.

A screen lowers from the ceiling. A projector hums to life.

Alex comes up beside me. "You know about this?"

"No. I have no idea."

He smiles. "Probably just embarrassing childhood photos or something."

The room goes dark.

And the video starts playing.