Updated Feb 20, 2026 • ~5 min read
LUCIA
Wedding planning is chaos.
“Small and intimate,” I say.
“Big and traditional,” West’s mom says.
“Destination wedding!” Paloma suggests.
We compromise.
Medium-sized. Local. In three months.
“Three months?” the wedding planner gasps. “That’s impossible.”
“Make it possible,” West says. “Please.”
She sighs.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
WESTLEY
I want to invite Carmen.
But I don’t know if that’s weird.
“Ask Lucia,” Tate advises.
“What if it makes her uncomfortable?”
“Then she’ll tell you. But my guess? She’ll want her sister there.”
He’s right.
I bring it up over dinner.
“I’ve been thinking about the guest list.”
“Okay?”
“What would you think about inviting Carmen?”
Lucia sets down her fork.
“Really?”
“Yeah. She’s your sister. And honestly, without her… we wouldn’t be here.”
Tears fill Lucia’s eyes.
“I’d love that. But is it safe? For her?”
“We can ask Agent Frost. See what’s possible.”
She reaches across the table.
“Thank you for thinking of her.”
“She’s family. Yours and now mine.”
LUCIA
Agent Frost approves Carmen’s attendance.
“The trial is progressing well. One appearance at a family wedding should be fine. We’ll provide security.”
I call Carmen immediately.
“You’re coming to my wedding!”
“I am?!”
“Agent Frost approved it. Please say you’ll come.”
“Of course I’ll come. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“And Carmen?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you be my maid of honor?”
Silence.
Then crying.
“Yes. Yes, of course.”
WESTLEY
Jonah is my best man.
Obviously.
“Speech pressure is real,” he says.
“Don’t embarrass me.”
“I’m going to embarrass you so much.”
“Jonah—”
“Kidding. Mostly.”
I throw a pen at him.
Venue: booked.
Caterer: hired.
DJ: secured.
Flowers: ordered.
It’s actually happening.
“Nervous?” Dad asks.
“Not even a little.”
“Good. That’s how you know she’s the one.”
LUCIA
Dress shopping with Paloma and Diana.
I try on twelve dresses.
Nothing feels right.
Then the consultant brings out number thirteen.
Simple. Elegant. Lace sleeves.
I put it on.
Look in the mirror.
“That’s the one,” Paloma breathes.
Diana is crying.
“You look beautiful.”
I look at myself.
Really look.
This is me.
Lucia Santos.
About to marry the love of my life.
“This is the one,” I agree.
WESTLEY
Bachelor party is lowkey.
Tate. Jonah. A few college friends.
Dinner. Drinks. No strippers.
“You’re really doing this,” Tate says.
“I really am.”
“Any doubts?”
“None.”
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.”
Jonah raises his glass.
“To West. Finally getting his happily ever after.”
We drink.
“Carmen never really was your happily ever after,” Tate says quietly.
“No. She was the prologue. Lucia is the story.”
LUCIA
Bachelorette party with Paloma and a few friends from work.
Wine. Pizza. Terrible romantic comedies.
“You’re glowing,” Paloma observes.
“I’m happy.”
“Good. You deserve it.”
My phone buzzes.
Text from Carmen.
Carmen: Can’t wait to see you in two weeks. And meet West properly.
Me: He can’t wait to meet you too.
Carmen: Think he’ll be weirded out by the twin thing?
Me: Probably a little. But he’ll love you.
Carmen: Love you, little sis.
Me: Love you too.
(I’m technically older by three minutes but she never lets me forget she’s “wiser.”)
WESTLEY
Two weeks before the wedding, I get cold feet.
Not about marrying Lucia.
About deserving her.
“What if I mess this up?” I ask Dad.
“You will.”
“That’s not helpful.”
“Marriage isn’t about not messing up. It’s about messing up and fixing it together.”
“That’s very philosophical.”
“That’s experience. Your mother and I have been married thirty-five years. We mess up constantly.”
“And?”
“And we apologize. We forgive. We try again. That’s love.”
I call Lucia.
“Hey, can you come home?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just need to see you.”
She’s home in fifteen minutes.
Finds me on the couch.
“What’s going on?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too. But what’s really going on?”
“Cold feet.”
She pales.
“You don’t want to marry me?”
“No! God, no. I want to marry you more than anything.”
“Then what?”
“I’m scared I’m not good enough for you.”
She sits next to me.
Takes my hands.
“West. You’re the best man I’ve ever known. You’re kind. Patient. You forgave me when I didn’t deserve it. You loved me when I didn’t love myself.”
“But what if—”
“No what-ifs. We’re doing this. Together. And we’re going to mess up. And we’re going to fix it. Because that’s what love is.”
I kiss her.
“When did you get so wise?”
“Your dad called me. Gave me a pep talk.”
I laugh.
Of course he did.
LUCIA
One week before the wedding.
Final dress fitting.
Invitations sent.
Seating chart finalized.
“You ready?” Paloma asks.
“So ready.”
Carmen arrives the day before the wedding.
I pick her up from the airport.
See her walking toward me.
She looks good.
Healthier. Happier.
Free.
We hug.
Both crying.
“Hi, sis.”
“Hi.”
That night, we have dinner.
Me. Carmen. West.
It’s weird.
But also perfect.
“So you’re the guy,” Carmen says to West.
“I’m the guy.”
“You’re treating her well?”
“I’m trying.”
Carmen looks at me.
Then back at West.
“Good. Because if you hurt her, I know people.”
West laughs nervously.
“She’s kidding,” I say.
“Am I?” Carmen deadpans.
Then she grins.
“I’m kidding. But seriously. Take care of her.”
“I will. I promise.”
WESTLEY
That night, Lucia stays at Paloma’s.
Tradition.
We’re not supposed to see each other before the wedding.
I lie in bed alone.
Tomorrow I marry Lucia Santos.
The woman who lied to me.
Broke me.
Rebuilt me.
Loved me.
My person.
My forever.
I can’t wait.
END OF CHAPTER 23
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