CHAPTER 27As the initial shock wore off, he turned his gaze towards me, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity.I splashed cold water onto my face once more, the refreshing liquid soothing my heated skin. As I gazed at my reflection, I realized that my sudden rush to fix my appearance was not solely because of Alexander. It was an instinctual desire to present myself in the best possible light, to feel confident and put together.With newfound determination, I rummaged through my drawer, selecting a simple, flattering outfit and carefully applying a light touch of makeup. Each stroke of mascara and swipe of lip balm was an act of self-care, a way to enhance my own natural beauty rather than seeking validation from others.As I stood before the mirror, I couldn't help but question my motivations. Why was I going through all this effort to look good for a conversation with Alexander? Was it merely an excuse I had concocted to justify my actions? Or was
CHAPTER 28What did Alexander want to talk about? Was everything alright? A whirlwind of thoughts swirled in my head, but I tried to remain calm. Once we reached my room, Alexander stepped inside, his eyes scanning the space with curiosity. I couldn't help but blush, feeling self-conscious about the mess that was scattered across my desk and the half-finished art projects strewn about."Wow, Emma," Alexander said, breaking the silence. "Your room is beautiful. It's got this perfect girly aesthetic. I love it."A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, grateful for his kind words. "Thanks, Alexander. I've put a lot of effort into creating a space that reflects my personality."He walked around, touching the trinkets on my bookshelf and examining the art pieces adorning the walls. I watched him, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. It was the first time he had been in my room, and I hoped he liked what he saw."Your art is so beautiful, creative and
CHAPTER 29As the weight of our conversation hung in the air, I suddenly pulled away from Alexander, a surge of excitement coursing through me. "Wait, Alexander! What about my wedding dress? And will I have bridesmaids?"A mischievous smile danced upon his lips as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope. "That's exactly why I came here so early. I wanted to give you this."He handed me the envelope, and inside was a handwritten note, along with his credit card. My eyes widened in astonishment as he continued, "Emma, this credit card is now yours. I've written down the PIN for you. I want you to go shopping for your perfect wedding dress, and whatever else you need. I want you to have everything you've ever dreamed of."Tears welled up in my eyes as gratitude overwhelmed me. Alexander may not be able to offer me love, but he was determined to give me everything else in abundance. It was an unexpected gesture, and I felt my heart swell
CHAPTER 30"Oh my goodness, Emma, you look absolutely breathtaking!" Laila exclaimed, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Alexander won't know what hit him when he sees you in this."Natalie jumped up and down, clapping her hands. "I told you, Emma! This is the one. This is just perfect. You have to get it!"I smiled brightly at her words and stared back at myself in the mirror. As the excitement began to fade, a pang of sadness crept into my heart. I looked at myself in the mirror, the gown clinging to my body in just the right places, a wave of emptiness washed over me as I thought of the reality. No matter how perfect the dress was or how beautiful the wedding would be, it couldn't fill the void within me.A tear welled up in my eye as I turned to Natalie and Laila, my voice filled with a mix of disappointment and resignation. "You guys are right. The dress is stunning, but it's just a dress. It can't replace what's truly missing."Natalie's expression sof
CHAPTER 31Natalie nodded. "It's a bit too revealing. Just a bit tho."Choosing the perfect bridesmaid dress was proving to be a lot harder than I had anticipated. But despite the disagreements and the endless changing rooms, I couldn't help but smile. I was with my best friends, preparing for the most important day of my life. And despite the dress disagreements, I wouldn't have it any other way.With our spirits dampened by the dress debacle, we decided to take a break and grab some lunch. We found a charming little cafe nearby and settled down at a corner table. The aroma of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee filled the air, instantly lifting our moods.I was so hungry, my appetite seemingly insatiable. I ordered a Caesar salad, a mushroom and cheese panini, and a side of sweet potato fries. As the waiter took our orders, Natalie and Laila exchanged a glance and broke into giggles."Planning on eating for two already, are you, Emma?" Laila teased,
CHAPTER 32Natalie, my maid of honor, leaned in closer, her eyes wide with admiration. "Emma, you look absolutely stunning! Alexander is going to be floored when he sees you."I smiled, my heart swelling with joy. "Thank you, Nat. You and Laila look breathtaking too. I'm so lucky to have you both by my side on this special day."Laila, beamed at me, adjusting the delicate flowers in her hair. "Emma, you're the one who's lucky. Alexander is such a wonderful man, and you two are perfect for each other. He is also lucky to have you and soon you both would be married and complete each other as a family."I blushed, feeling the warmth of their love and support. "I truly believe that, Laila. Today is the beginning of our forever. And I can only hope that our forever is just perfect with less hurdles in our path."As the makeup artist put the finishing touches on my look, she handed me a mirror. I held it up, my breath catching in my throat. The reflection stari
CHAPTER 33As I reached out to hold Alexander's hand, a sense of confusion washed over me as he pulled away, his gaze suddenly cold and distant. My heart sank, and doubts began to creep into my mind. What had happened? Why was he acting this way?But I couldn't allow those doubts to consume me, not on this day that was supposed to be filled with love and joy. I pushed them aside, determined to focus on the vows we were about to exchange.I looked towards a woman in the crowd, her presence giving off an air of authority. Could she be Alexander's mother? I had never met Alexander's mother before neither had I seen her in pictures either, but something about her icy demeanor sent shivers down my spine. Her cold smirk made my heart skip a beat, but I quickly dismissed it as nerves.With a deep breath, I turned my attention back to Alexander, staring into his eyes with love and hope. It was as if I was pleading with him, silently asking him to let me in, to share
CHAPTER 34The reality of our situation weighed heavily upon me, and the hope that had flickered within my heart extinguished.But deep down, a small ember of hope refused to die. Perhaps, just perhaps, love could find its way into Alexander's heart. Maybe, with time and patience, our fragmented promise could be mended, and the icy walls around him would thaw. The car rolled to a stop in front of Alexander's grand mansion, a symbol of his wealth and power. As I stepped out, my heart heavy with the weight of his words, he marched forward without sparing me a glance. I followed, my steps faltering, as if I were an unwelcome intruder in my own life. Once inside, a woman approached me with a warm smile. "Hello, I'm Maria, Mr. Alexander's maid. Welcome to your new home Miss Emma." Her kindness provided a fleeting moment of solace amidst the storm brewing within me. "Thank you, Maria," I managed to utter, my voice betraying the sadness that clung to me like a