Chapter 23

Patrick and Antoinette’s wedding reception was an outdoor classic adorned with bouquets of white roses on top of rounded tables covered in white and rose gold linens. Chatters and laughter floated like bubbles as guests skittered around a long table filled with silver trays of food. It was a feast. Though, in Yves’ eyes, it was like a typical image of heaven with people dressed in gowns and suits. Add the thousands of glowing butterflies surrounding each and every one, and it already felt like a scene out of a fairy tale.

Except it was not.

Yves fiddled with his fork while Timothy, beside him, wolfed down on his food as if he were an inmate on death row enjoying his last meal. It could be his last day on Earth in a literal sense, and the thought only sapped the fun out of him. He used to enjoy this kind of gathering, but not today, even if he tried.

“Yveybs,” Timothy coughed, pounding on his chest. “Water, please? I’m dying.”

Yves resisted rolling his eyes as