Chapter 9

A few days later, Seraphina Vance found me.

She haughtily told me, “Aria Blackwood, Dominic and I are getting married. From today on, you’ll be with me. Help us prepare for all the wedding arrangements.”

I looked at Dominic. The moment our eyes met, he showed a hint of impatience.

“Why are you looking at me? Seraphina is Thorne Inc.’s future lady boss, just do what she says.”

My heart ached as I nodded.

He was bound to get married and have children eventually.

Why was I still so sad?

Seraphina was very invested in her wedding to Dominic.

From major details like the hotel and emcee, down to minor ones like nail designs.

She made me accompany her, comparing one option after another.

Everything was already perfectly exquisite, yet she always felt something was missing.

Finally came the day Seraphina was to try on her wedding gown.

Early in the morning, we arrived at Harbor City’s largest bridal shop.

When I got there, Seraphina was already wearing a wedding gown with a long train, and not far away, Dominic was distractedly fiddling with his phone.

Seeing me, Dominic’s face immediately darkened.

Seraphina, on the other hand, looked triumphant.

She asked me, “Aria Blackwood, what do you think?”

“It’s great, very beautiful.”

She rolled her eyes at me and told the sales assistant, “This one isn’t fancy enough. Get me that one.”

She pointed to a mermaid-style gown adorned with tiny scattered diamonds.

Dominic and I looked at that dress simultaneously, and both froze.

Five years ago, I had pulled Dominic past a bridal shop.

I pointed to a similar mermaid gown and said, “Dominic Thorne, when we get married, I’m going to wear that dress. I want to show off my bombshell figure, make sure everyone knows you, Dominic Thorne, hit the jackpot marrying a gorgeous woman like me!”

Dominic put his arm around me, his face full of adoration. “Whose 'gorgeous woman' are you? No manners.”

He glanced at the price of the dress and said, “Looks like I’ll have to work hard to earn money for a wedding dress, or I won’t even be able to marry my wife.”

Now, his assets were enough to buy the entire bridal shop.

Unfortunately, everything had changed.

Dominic stopped Seraphina. “Don’t wear that one, it’s ugly. Change to that one.”

He pointed to an off-the-shoulder, floor-length gown not far away.

The sales assistant quickly praised it. “Mr. Thorne has excellent taste! This gown is a handmade designer piece. Only one in the world, truly unique.”

Seraphina’s heart swelled with delight.

She immediately had the sales assistant take her to the fitting room.

I followed her.

When we came out, the mermaid gown was gone.

It must have been bought by someone else.

I hadn’t expected it to disappear so quickly, in just a moment.

Well, who would wait around forever?

Still, a part of my heart felt a little lost.

After leaving the bridal shop, they went to dinner.

Seraphina no longer wanted me to follow them.

I went to the hospital to see my mom.

Her lucid periods were becoming more frequent, and she had even accepted the reality of Dad’s passing.

She held my hand, her face full of tenderness. “Aria, you’ve suffered so much all these years. It’s all because your mom was a burden.”

I leaned gently into her arms, acting like my old self. “Mom, don’t talk about burdens. Just get well soon, okay? I miss your homemade chicken pot pie. You wouldn’t believe how many I’ve tried these past few years, none of them were authentic.”

A long-lost smile appeared on my mom’s face. “You, you’re still a little greedy cat. I’ll make it for you once I’m out of the hospital.”