iling mirrors reflected rows of exquisite wedding gowns, each more extrav

hispered, elbowing

you to say. You're not the one be

zzling. "Ah, Sophia! Right on time. We've selected a

m lost on Penelope, who clapped her hands

far end of the room, his presence impossible to ignore. He looked every bit the composed

ere, you know," Sophia

k up. "Consider

ty for

amusement dancing in his eyes. "For eve

elope reappeared, followed by two assistants car

our collection. Handmade lace, Swarovski crystals

ress, her stomach chur

enelope countered

e fitting room. The assistants worked quickly, fastening t

ress gleaming under the boutique's soft lights

n st

nguarded in his expression. His phone was forgotten, his ga

ed, trying to s

said, his tone c

rified. "It's stunning! Sop

ittle haughty, maybe

ad returned to his phone, his

ly, turning back to the fitting

ut another dress. And another. Each time, Penelope gushed, Mi

ut in a sleek, minimalist design, its simplicity a stark cont

," she sa

owned. "It'

ophia replied, meeting he

wing slightly. "Are you sure? It's your

hin lifted. "I don't need a

at the corner of his

ded. "If that's what the bride wants

ed as the assistants hel

he main area, Ethan wa

quiet today," she sai

t want my opinion,"

d be

The wedding was becoming more real with each passing moment, and she wasn't

her, his expression unreadab

said, sliding

elt a strange tug in her chest-a connection she

he window, her thoughts swirling. She might have chosen th

fied her more