A month later
Lost in my thoughts, I had no idea how much time had passed. Between endlessly searching for jobs online and spending hours in the bakery co-owned by my other brother and Suzette, the hours blurred together.
We are four siblings in total—two twins, Caleb and Carter, and us, Novaria and Navira. Despite the chaos, I knew I could always count on Carter. Besides Suzette, he was the one person I could run to, whether I needed a helping hand or just someone to listen. Carter understood more than anyone what it felt like to be ignored by family.
After he came out as gay to the Santiago family, things hadn't been easy. The rest of the family had found ways to distance themselves from him and his life. But Carter? He was happier than ever. That secret freedom, that sense of authenticity, seemed to give him peace—something I envied even in my darkest moments.
One day, I was serving at Sugar & Spice Bakery when Carter approached me with a playful smile. "Nova, honey, what do you think of attending Navi's wedding?" he asked, leaning casually against the counter.
I froze for a moment, my hand still clutching the tray, before carefully placing the cup of coffee and a plate of bagel on the table. "Here's your order, sir—a macchiato and one fresh bagel," I said softly, forcing a polite smile as the old man nodded appreciatively.
As I turned away, I caught Carter glancing at me with a mischievous grin. I shot him a sharp look, my patience wearing thin. "You know my answer to that," I said, voice low but firm, the frustration clear in my tone.
Carter chuckled softly, shrugging as he continued preparing coffee. "Come on, Nova. Just think about it—you're not getting any younger, and Navi's wedding is supposed to be beautiful."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Carter, you know I can't even think about that right now. I've got enough on my plate without adding a wedding to the mix." My voice softened as I added, "Besides, I don't see how I'd fit into all that right now."
He nodded, understanding. "I get it. But haven't you still moved on from them?"
I frowned, my eyes suddenly prickling with tears. Just thinking about what they did to me was still so raw. For goodness' sake, it's only been a month since that day. The pain hadn't faded, only lingered beneath the surface, waiting to surface again.
Suzette, who had just stepped out of the kitchen with a tray of fresh croissants, looked at me—her eyes filled with concern as she caught the tears brimming in my eyes. She quickly glanced at Carter, her protective instincts kicking in.
"Zette..." I mumbled, my voice trembling.
She furrowed her brows, placing the tray down gently and turning her sharp gaze toward Carter. "You brute!" she exclaimed, smacking him lightly on the back. "What did you say to Nova again, huh?!"
"Ow!" Carter yelped, pouting exaggeratedly. "Hey, I was just asking—"
She then stepped closer, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and soothing my back with gentle strokes. "It's okay, baby... Your brother's just callous—"
"I'm not!" Carter interrupted, puffing out his chest. "I'm the most lovable person in the world—"
He suddenly cut himself off, eyes wide as Suzette shot him a fierce look. The room tensed for a moment before Carter finally relented, shrinking back with a sheepish smile.
Suzette's protective aura softened as she looked at me with kind eyes. "You don't have to carry everything alone, Nova. We're here for you, always."
"I'm sorry, Nova," Carter said softly, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around us in a tentative hug. His voice was gentle, filled with genuine remorse.
A few moments later, I found myself alone again, hearing Carter shrieking in protest. "Zette! I swear to God, don't hug me like that or else—!"
"Or else what? What are you gonna do, huh?" Suzette shot back, her tone teasing but with a hint of mischief.
I blinked, opening my eyes to find them in the middle of a bickering—though it seemed more like playful flirting than serious arguing. Honestly, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to cry or burst out laughing. Suzette has had a long-standing crush on my brother, Carter, and while Carter and Caleb look alike, Suzette always knew exactly who was who.
"Or else I'll kick you out!" Carter declared, struggling to pry Suzette's arms from around him, one of them grinning like a predator and one was anxiously shivering like a prey.
Suzette only laughed, leaning in close to Carter's ear as she whispered mischievously, "You know what I'm gonna do to you instead? I'm gonna tie you to your bed, blindfold you, then slowly striptease while cradling your dic—"
Carter's face instantly turned bright red. Frantically, he looked around the counter for anything he could grab, and suddenly shoved a whole donut into her mouth. "For God's sake! I already have a boyfriend!"
Suzette chewed happily, her mouth full, and replied with a teasing grin, "But the two of you aren't married yet, are you? Does that mean I still have a chance?"
She burst into laughter, clearly enjoying herself, while Carter looked at me with pleading eyes, seeking some kind of rescue.
Feeling overwhelmed by the teasing, I sneaked a quick tongue out and hurried into the kitchen, silently vowing to myself that I'd avoid that topic for now. Serves him right for bringing it up again.
I stayed in the kitchen for a few moments, taking deep breaths to clear my mind. Carter's words kept echoing in my head:
"Have you still not moved on from them?"
I'm trying. Truly trying.
If Carter can attend our sister's wedding, enduring the disapproving stares and whispered judgments of our parents, then why can't I? Why should I let myself break down and cry as I watch those who backstabbed me find happiness?
It's not easy, but I know I have to find strength within myself—to face the pain, to hold onto hope, and to remember that healing takes time.
That night, the cheater tried to reach me—calls going straight to voicemail, emails lingering in the trash of my Dmail. I didn't answer a single one. But then, he had the nerve to show up at my house.
Carter tried so hard to block Suzette, to prevent her from losing her temper and going after Hunter. Hunter only came by to apologize before casually inviting me to their wedding. In the end, they stepped outside the house leaving me inside to calm myself.
Carter was hugging Suzette, one hand covering her mouth to keep her from losing control if she tried to go crazy. Carter, despite everything, was the one who talked with Hunter and agreed that they'd be attending the wedding.
Once Hunter left, Carter finally released Suzette's body.
"Why did you say yes, huh?!" Suzette exclaimed, voice trembling with frustration.
"Let bygones be bygones, okay? Besides, he's too handsome for him to keep apologizing—" Carter shrieked as Suzette slapped him across the arm.
"You tramp! I thought you already had a boyfriend?" Suzette yelled, slapping Carter again.
"Ow! Hey! That hurts!" Carter tried to pull away, rubbing his arm. "But he's handsome! Ow!"
Suzette took a deep breath, calming herself, then looked up at the room on the second floor. She was sure their baby was crying again.
"Why did you even say yes?" she asked, voice softer but filled with disbelief.
Carter, sensing her seriousness, sighed deeply. "I wanted her to face her fears. Ever since that day, she's become insecure. You can't even see the light in her eyes anymore. She's become... less confident, and can't you see the pores on her face? She's stressing herself out—" he cut himself off abruptly when Suzette shot him a sharp glare.
"But what if she gets hurt seeing them again?" Suzette couldn't help but worry, her voice trembling with concern.
Carter gently pulled her into a hug. "We can't just baby her forever, right? She needs to face them and stand on her own feet again."
Suzette nodded, slowly accepting his words. "I suppose you're right."
"Besides," Carter added with a grin, "I'll be in charge of her hair and makeup."
Suzette finally let out a small chuckle, the tension easing from her shoulders. "And there's no way we're letting her step foot into that church without a man," she said firmly.
She wanted to hug him tighter, but just then, her moment was shattered by the ringtone of Carter's phone. She glanced at the screen—her eyes narrowing in annoyance when she saw who was calling. It was none other than his boyfriend.
Carter squealed and jumped like a girl but before he could answer, Suzette quickly snatched the phone away and ended the call herself.
"You witch! Give me back my phone!" Carter yelled, his voice rising as he started running toward her.
"We're in the middle of planning, and you still have the nerve to answer that call?!" Suzette accused, her voice laced with jealousy.
"I'll just call him back and tell him I'm busy!" Carter insisted, frustration evident in his voice.