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Robin excuses herself for the bathroom, and the second she disappears, I feel it.

The shift.

Melanie, who had been flipping absentmindedly through a wedding magazine while waiting for me to make payment and get the dress packed, now watches me with an expression I can't quite place. It isn't outright hostility, but it isn't friendly either.

It's calculating. Knowing.

I force myself to keep a neutral expression as I smooth down the fabric of the dress.

"You okay?" I ask, attempting something casual.

Melanie exhales through her nose, setting the magazine down on the chair beside her. "I know what you're doing," she says.

A strange chill runs through me. My heart stammers against my ribs.

I know what you're doing.

There's a lot she could mean by that.

But I already know what she means because, remember that guy feeling? Yeah, I'm never wrong with that.

I scramble for something to say, but my mind is completely blank. The boutique suddenly feels suffocating, the air thick and pressing in on me.

Melanie watches my reaction carefully, then sighs, shaking her head like she didn't want to be having this conversation either.

"I wasn't sure at first," she admits. "I mean, it didn't make sense. You're engaged to my brother, and Robin-" She cuts herself off, her lips pressing together. "But I found your slippers and bonnet in her room that morning of the picnic and ..."

She trails off.

I swallow hard.

Shit.

I knew I left something behind. I was in such a rush to sneak out before anyone noticed, I didn't even think to double-check. But it could have been Robin's bonnet!

Wait, I've never seen her in one before.

"I didn't say anything then because, well..." Melanie shrugs. "I wasn't sure." She tilts her head slightly. "But now? I heard you two. I saw you."

Her voice is calm, like she's stating an observation, not confronting me about one of the worst decisions I've made.

"Those curtains? They're thin as hell. The light exposes everything."

I go still.

There's no lying my way out of this. No making up excuses.

She knows.

I glance toward the boutique's hallway, willing Robin to come back and save me, but she's taking too damn long. My pulse is hammering, my face hot, and I feel cornered.

But I don't beg. I don't even ask Melanie not to tell anyone.

Instead, I say the only thing I can.

"This is just an obligation for me, Melanie," I murmur, my voice quieter than before. "I feel I have the right to do what I please before I'm finally signed off to Javis."

The words come out sharper than I intended, but it's the truth.

Melanie studies me, her eyes unreadable. And then, to my surprise, she doesn't look angry. Just... confused. But only for a second. A flicker of emotion before she smooths it over.

"I don't know what's happening between Javis and you," she says finally. "And honestly? I don't care."

I blink.

She leans back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other, looking completely unaffected.

"You're adults. I assume this is mutual for my brother too." A small, dry chuckle leaves her lips. "I won't school you on your morals, but sleeping with your fiancé's sister? Not the best way to live it out."

I nod stiffly because-she's right.

This whole thing is wrong, and I don't even know how I let it get this far. It started as something small. A fleeting curiosity. A slip-up I told myself wouldn't happen again. It was supposed to stop the moment I learnt Robin would be my sister-in-law.

But then it was just a heated gaze. Then a kiss.

Then another kiss.

Then another.

And now?

Now, Robin is in my head all the time, and I have no idea how to get her out.

"It was a mistake," I admit, my throat dry. "I didn't know at first. And now... I don't know how to stop. Or stay away."

It's the first time I've ever voiced it out loud.

Melanie watches me carefully, and for a moment, I swear I see a flicker of understanding in her eyes. Like she gets it, even if she doesn't approve.

She exhales. "Javis is fragile," she says, her voice quiet but firm. Then, after a pause, "But Robin? Even more so."

Something about the way she says it makes my stomach drop.

"You're going to hurt them both if you don't pick one."

I tense.

"My advice?" she continues. "Call off the wedding now, or shut down the thing with Robin." Her voice is like ice, sharp and to the point.

Not much of a choice there.

We hold eye contact, a silent stare-down, because I don't have a response to that. Because she's right.

I should have stopped this a long time ago. I should have pulled away when I realized what was happening. But I didn't, and now, I've backed myself into a corner with no easy way out.

Robin is taking too long. I'm drowning in this conversation.

I finally open my mouth to say something, but before I can, the bathroom door swings open.

Robin steps back inside, wiping her hands on the front of her jeans.

"Did I miss something?" she asks, raising a brow.

My mouth is still dry. My body feels stiff, like I've just been caught in some kind of crime.

Melanie doesn't say anything right away. She just looks between me and Robin, her face unreadable again. Then, after a pause, she picks up her magazine, flipping it open like nothing just happened.

"Nothing important," she says, voice smooth. "Just dress talk."

Robin doesn't look convinced. Her gaze flickers between us, like she can feel the tension lingering in the air.

But Melanie gives her a small, tight-lipped smile. "Ready to help her out of that dress?"

Robin hesitates for only a second before nodding. "Yeah."

Melanie doesn't say another word.

She just crosses her legs again, puts on her headphones, and acts like she didn't just throw a live grenade into my life.

I swallow and follow Robin into the fitting room, but my heart won't stop pounding.

Melanie knows.

And now?

Now, I have to make the choice I've been dreading.