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She wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me against her. “You worry too much.”

Just then, Audrey’s phone begins to ring.

The moment she glances at the screen, her entire face lights up. “It's Dante.”

A smile instantly spreads across my face. “Answer it!”

She barely has time to swipe before putting the call on speaker. “Dante!” we both scream.

“Well,” my brother’s familiar voice drawls through the phone, warm and teasing. “Judging by that greeting, I take it neither of my sisters has forgotten me.”

I laugh. “As if that’s possible.”

“Hi, Dante,” Audrey says, smiling so brightly it almost makes me forget today is her engagement party.

“There are my favorite sisters.”

“We’re your only sisters,” I point out.

“Exactly. Makes choosing favorites easy.”

I roll my eyes while Audrey laughs.

“How are you?” I ask.

“I’m alive.”

“That’s hardly reassuring.”

“It’s all you’re getting. How are the two of you?”

“We’re okay,” Audrey answers.

“I heard today’s the big day.” His voice softens. “Congratulations on your engagement.”

A shadow passes across Audrey’s face despite her smile. “Thank you.”

“I’m sorry I can’t be there.”

“It’s okay.”

“No.” He sighs. “It’s really not.”

Silence hangs over the call. Then he asks quietly, “Are you sure you want to do this, Audrey?”

My sister lowers her eyes. “I have to.”

Another heavy sigh comes through the speaker. “I wish I could stop this.”

I close my eyes. Of course he would say that. Our big brother always looks out for us.

“I don’t like Father using either of you to strengthen his alliances.” His voice hardens. “If this isn’t what you want, I’ll come back immediately.”

My head jerks toward Audrey. For one impossible second… I almost wish she’d say yes.

That she’d tell him to come home. That he’d walk through those front doors and put an end to all of this.

But Audrey only shakes her head. “No.”