Chapter 5
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Seeing the way Dario’s eyes were fixed on me, Miley couldn’t sit still any longer.
She walked over, putting on her most pitiful expression. “Edith, it was my idea to come to the bridal shop. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Then, her tone shifted. “But, Edith, that wedding dress you’re wearing is just gorgeous. I actually think it would suit me even better. Would you mind letting me try it on?”
I didn’t miss the challenge flickering in her eyes.
The sales associate stepped in immediately. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but this gown is a custom order for Ms. Paxton.”
Miley noticed the mocking look in my eyes and clenched her fists, a flash of anger crossing her face. The very next second, tears welled up in her eyes, making her look heartbreakingly aggrieved.
She grabbed Dario’s hand. “Dario, I know Edith has never liked me. She won’t even let me try on a wedding dress.”
She let out a couple of sobs and turned as if to leave. “I’ve caused you both so much trouble. Since Edith doesn’t want me here, I’ll just go.”
That move worked on Dario every single time.
He immediately stopped her, gently wiping away her tears, and shot me a look of disapproval.
“Edith, it’s just a dress. Let Miley try it on. When we get married, I’ll buy you something even better.”
Looking at Dario’s face, I suddenly found him utterly uninteresting.
How had I ever fallen for a man like this?
Not bothering to argue, I slipped out of the dress.
Miley shot me a triumphant glance as she walked over, reaching to take the gown from my hands.
The moment she got close, her eyes turned vicious.
I heard her hiss under her breath, seething with jealousy and resentment, “You bitch! Don’t think wearing a wedding dress is going to win Dario back. Pathetic.”
Her expression was both taunting and venomous. Then, just as she brushed past me, she suddenly shrieked and stum- bled backward in terror.
The entire shop was filled with Miley’s screams.
She clutched her stomach in pain, her face pale as a sheet.
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Chapter 5
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Dario rushed to her side, panic written all over him. “Miley! Miley, are you okay?!”
She cowered in his arms, looking at me with tears in her voice. “Edith, if you didn’t want me to try on the dress, you could’ve just said so. Why did you push me?”
Her shoulders shook as if she might collapse to the floor in apology. “I know you hate me, but I’m carrying Dario’s child. How could you be so heartless?”
She clung to his shirt, sobbing, the very picture of wounded innocence.
Dario’s gaze toward me grew darker, edged with anger.
“I didn’t push her,” I said calmly, defending myself.
But Dario shouted at me, “Enough! Edith, have I spoiled you so much that you’ve become this cruel?”
His words were full of accusation. “I’ve told you, I only see Miley as a sister. The baby was a mistake. I’ll take care of it. Why do you keep going after her?”
His voice took on a bitterness even he didn’t seem to notice. “Are you trying to hurt Miley and the baby?”
Even though I thought I’d moved on, seeing the hatred in Dario’s eyes still made my breath catch.
This was the same man who once stood with me under the northern lights, swearing he’d love me forever. Now, be- cause of Miley, he looked at me as if I were his enemy.
Dario shielded her with one arm and grabbed me with the other, issuing an ultimatum. “Apologize to Miley right now. If you do, I’ll pretend none of this happened. Otherwise, I’ll have to reconsider our relationship.”
I looked at him, a mocking smile tugging at my lips.
I ignored him, shook off his hand, handed the gown to the associate, and walked toward the door.
After a few steps, I stopped, turned back to meet Dario’s furious glare, picked up a cup of coffee from the counter, and dumped it right over his head.
Coffee ran down his face and soaked his clothes as he stared at me in disbelief.
I met his eyes and smiled slightly.
“Dario, you’re nothing.”
Stepping out of the bridal shop, I felt the air was fresher than ever.
I texted Alden, telling him I hadn’t found a dress I liked.
He replied almost immediately, “No worries. I’ve had one custom–made for you in France. I think you’ll love it.”
A few days later, I received the custom gown.
It was beautiful–and it suited me perfectly.
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Chapter 5
Even my dad couldn’t stop praising it, saying Alden was truly thoughtful.
Dario, as if suddenly waking up, started messaging me to apologize.
I couldn’t be bothered. I blocked him and put him out of my mind.
Before long, my wedding day with Alden arrived.
Backstage at the ceremony, I met Alden for the first time.
He wore a suit and looked at me with a gentle smile.
“Nervous?”
I shook my head.
I felt no resistance toward this stranger who was to be my husband.
His gaze was warm, lingering, filled with a deep tenderness.
Before I could think more, the wedding host called for the bride and groom to take the stage.
I took a deep breath, slipped my arm through Alden’s, and walked toward the center with a smile.
The Tavin family had spared no expense; the wedding was grand and elegant.
Dario arrived with lavish gifts.
He’d promised Edith he wouldn’t lose face in front of the Paxton family.
He regretted what happened at the bridal shop and had been messaging Edith for days, but she never replied.
“She must still be mad,” he thought.
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Dario had made up his mind–during the bouquet toss at her sister’s wedding, he’d catch it and propose to Edith on the
spot.
Then she’d have to forgive him.
But as Dario looked around the room, he couldn’t spot me anywhere.
A strange sense of dread crept over him, his heart pounding.
He turned to a guest nearby. “Where’s Ms. Edith? Hasn’t she arrived yet?”
The guest looked at him in surprise and pointed to the stage. “Ms. Edith? She’s right there.”
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