The Jilted Heiress And Her Spectacular Rebirth

"You look like an absolute princess, Miss Owens."

Chloe, the boutique attendant, smoothed her hands down the voluminous tulle skirt.

Kelsi stared at her reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror of the Vera Wang flagship store. The dress cost six figures. It hugged her waist perfectly before cascading into a cloud of white. She forced the corners of her mouth upward, trying to feel the magic Chloe was selling.

She turned her head slightly to look at the velvet sofa behind her.

Jeb Harrington sat there. He didn't look at her. His head was bowed, his thumbs moving rapidly across his phone screen. His brow was pulled into a tight, irritated line.

"Jeb?" Kelsi called out softly.

He didn't hear her.

"Mr. Harrington?" Chloe tried, her voice a pitch higher. "What do you think?"

Jeb finally looked up. His eyes quickly swept over Kelsi. "It's great. You look beautiful."

He immediately looked back down at his phone.

A cold sensation started at the base of Kelsi's neck. She pressed her hand flat against her stomach, a nervous habit she'd had since childhood. "You didn't even look at the lace detailing."

Before Jeb could answer, his phone vibrated loudly against the glass coffee table.

He snatched it up. The irritation on his face vanished, replaced by a sudden, intense focus. He pressed the phone to his ear.

"Seraphina?" His voice dropped an octave. It was soft. Gentle. "Hey, don't cry. Slow down. Tell me what happened."

Kelsi's breath hitched. Her lungs suddenly felt too small.

Seraphina Vale. Jeb's sister-in-law. The widow of his older brother.

Jeb stood up from the sofa, pacing the length of the private fitting room. He completely turned his back on Kelsi. "Okay. Okay, I hear you. Don't be scared. I'm coming right now. Don't go anywhere, just wait for me."

He lowered the phone and turned around. He was already reaching for his suit jacket.

"Jeb," Kelsi said. Her voice shook. She pointed a trembling finger at the massive white dress swallowing her body. "We are trying on my wedding dress today."

Jeb paused, but his feet were already pointed toward the door. He walked over and pressed a quick, absentminded kiss to her forehead.

"The dress is stunning, Kelsi. You look beautiful in anything," he said, his words rushed. "But Seraphina is having a breakdown. You know how hard it's been for her since my brother died. I have to go."

"Now?" Kelsi whispered. Her throat felt tight, like someone was wrapping a cord around it.

"She needs me. Be good," Jeb said, already stepping backward. He looked at the attendant. "Chloe, help her out of this. Put the balance on my card."

He turned and walked out the door. He didn't look back.

The heavy oak door clicked shut. The silence in the room was deafening.

Kelsi stood frozen in front of the mirror. She looked like a clown wrapped in expensive toilet paper.

Chloe stepped forward hesitantly, holding a glass of water. "Miss Owens?