Ella's POV:
I slumped onto Kate's couch, feeling like the weight of the world had settled onto my shoulders. The fake wedding, the endless pretending, it was draining every last bit of energy I had. I had just come from another meeting with the wedding planner, finalizing details I didn't care about for a wedding that wasn't real.
"So, how's the blushing bride-to-be?" Kate teased as she handed me a glass of wine. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, but I couldn't even muster a smile.
I groaned. "It's exhausting, Kate. Honestly, pretending to be excited about a wedding that's not even real is more draining than I thought it would be.
The dress fittings, the guest list, the flowers, none of it means anything, and I have to act like it does." I took a sip of wine and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "I'm pretending to be something I'm not, and it's getting to me."
