ROSE

The rehearsal dinner was perfect on the surface. Ocean waves crashing in the background, string lights twinkling, champagne flowing. Daniel — my fiancé and Elias’s best friend since college — kept smiling at me like I was his whole world. Everyone kept saying what a perfect couple we made.

But Elias wouldn’t stop staring.

My stepbrother sat across the table in his black button-down, sleeves rolled up, jaw tight every time Daniel touched my arm or kissed my cheek. He’d been like this for years. Overprotective. Possessive. Stopping every guy who got too close. I’d always thought it was big brother bullshit.

Tonight it felt different.

After the final...