Chapter 1: He Chose Her

For five years, I secretly dated the Navy SEAL I’d grown up with.

Then he announced he was marrying my best friend.

I didn’t cry.

I didn’t fight him.

I just didn’t re-enlist. I moved to a new city and changed my name.

I went north, opening a flower shop in Santa Barbara.

One day, the bell over the door chimed and an old friend walked in.

The moment he saw me, he froze.

“You’re alive? Why didn’t you ever call Zane?”

He took a step closer. “Do you have any idea he divorced Sofia? He’s been alone this whole time.”

I lifted my left hand, showing him the simple gold band on my ring finger.

“I’m married now.”

The air went still.

His eyes kept flicking to something over my shoulder, and a second later, I turned.

Zane Vale stood in the doorway, his Navy dress whites stark against the soft colors of the shop.

He stared at me, a thunderous look on his face.

I couldn’t imagine what he had to be angry about.

In five years, Zane had never once been willing to come home to San Diego with me, never willing to meet my parents.

Until my mother’s birthday.

I’d gone home alone, only to find a wedding invitation lying on the living room coffee table.

Groom: Zane Vale.

Bride: Sofia Bellini.

My mind went blank. I was reaching for my phone to call him when his voice drifted in from the doorway.

“Mrs. Ricci, please don’t tell Elara about the wedding just yet.”

He sounded relaxed, casual. “You know how she gets. She’s been stuck on me since we were kids.”

“If she finds out I’m getting married, she’ll just get upset all over again…”

He trailed off.

He’d seen me.

The easy smile on his face vanished.

My mother, oblivious, just beamed at me.

“Elara, isn’t it wonderful? Zane is marrying your best friend, Sofia.”

She patted the couch beside her. “Now, when are you finally bringing your boyfriend home for us to meet?”

I looked straight at Zane, my lips curving into a smile.

“He’s dead.”

I let the words hang in the air. “He died yesterday.”

My mother froze.

“So suddenly?”

“But yesterday, didn’t you say he was called away on an emergency mission?”

She frowned. “That he couldn’t come with you, but he’d bought me a birthday gift?”

Her words landed like a punch to the gut, squeezing the air from my lungs.

She’d known for years that I was in a relationship, just not with whom.

All this time, she’d been waiting for me to bring him home.

But Zane always said the timing wasn’t right.

To keep her from worrying, I’d bought gifts for my parents every year, always signing his name to the card.

He had no idea.

He had never cared enough to ask.

Now, hearing my mother’s words, Zane’s expression flickered.

While my mother was still sighing with regret, he crossed the room and lowered his voice so only I could hear.

“Sofia’s father was in a bad accident.”

“I offered her money, but she wouldn’t take it.”

He spoke in clipped, efficient tones. “The only way is to marry her. I can give her the money through a prenup.”

He paused. “Don’t make a scene.”

“If your mother finds out we dated, she won’t be able to handle it.”

“She won’t know,” I said.

At least, that’s what I’d thought.

It was clear now that the five years between us were something he intended to bury forever.

Zane studied me for a few seconds, his tone flat.

“Suit yourself.”

“But Sofia and I are getting married next week.”

“She wants to be the most beautiful bride.”

He looked me right in the eye. “You’re her best friend. You’ll help her, right?”

His voice was still so gentle, as if nothing had changed.

As if he had never held me in the darkness of the barracks, his lips against my ear, whispering that he loved me.

“Elara? Zane?”

Sofia’s voice preceded her into the room.

She walked in smiling, looping her arm through mine as if nothing was wrong.

“My mom made a ton of food. She wants us all to come over.”

Our three families had always been close, celebrating holidays together like one big unit.

To me, Sofia wasn’t just a friend; she was practically a sister.

Now, as she looked at me, her expression was flawless.

Except for the flicker of fear in her eyes.

“You knew I was in love with him,” I murmured, my voice so low only she could hear.

“And you had to have known the man I was dating was Zane.”

“Sofia, how is this fair?”

She stood so close I could feel her tremble.

The night before we’d left for basic training, she’d slept over at my house.

She’d found my diary and read the whole thing, laughing until she was rolling on my bed, clutching her stomach.

When she finally caught her breath, she’d nudged me.

“If you love Zane so much, just tell him.”

“If you’re too scared, I’ll do it for you.”

She’d grinned. “If you two get married, I’m your matchmaker. I better get a seat at the head table.”

But now, looking at me, there wasn’t a trace of apology in her eyes.

She leaned in, her whisper a ghost against my ear.

“Elara, I love him, and he chose me.”

“When you two were together, I was genuinely happy for you.”

“But I’m the one marrying him now.”

“You’re my best friend, my most trusted comrade.”

Her grip on my arm tightened. “I know you’ll give us your blessing.”