Chapter 455
“I’m all done p>
The makeup artist steps back with a satisfied smile and finally, I gather enough courage to lift my eyes toward the mirror.
The breath leaves my lungs and for a moment, I just stare because the woman staring back at me almost doesn’t feel real.
The soft white gown wraps around my body perfectly, flowing down like water while lace hugs the sleeves and trails over my skin. Tiny crystals shimmer against the fabric every time I move, making it look like starlight has been sewn into the dress itself. My hair falls in curls around my shoulders, pinned at the back beneath the veil, and my makeup is light enough that I still look like me… just softer, happier, and lighter.
I can’t stop thinking about how beautiful and happy I look. Those two words echo over and over again until my vision blurs and tears start filling my eyes. Before they can even fall, Lilly appears beside me so fast it startles me.
“If you cry and ruin your makeup,” she warns while pointing a finger at me dramatically, “I’m going to kill you and bury you right here p>
A laugh bursts out of me before the tears can even fall. “Wow… is that your version of being supportive? You’re supposed to cry with me, not threaten me p>
“I could cry with you, but I also don’t want to ruin my makeup… who knows, maybe I’ll catch the attention of a hot guy.” she says, winking at me.
I shake my head smiling before my eyes drift toward her dress. The soft pink bridesmaid gown fits her perfectly, the color making her skin glow beautifully.
Before I can even finish admiring just how gorgeous my best friend is, the door opens again and Juliette walks in wearing the exact same dress and looking just as gorgeous as Lilly.
Over the past two years, the three of us have somehow become inseparable. Lilly and Juliette still argue like two toddlers fighting over toys, but beneath all the bickering is genuine love. Sometimes when I watch them together, I think about Chloe and how this was what I once imagined for the three of us, but Chloe destroyed that dream long ago when she let envy rule her.
Thankfully, life gave us someone better. Someone loyal and with no speck of malice inside her. Every time I see Juliette, I thank God that she became part of us because now we can’t imagine life without her.
“You definitely look worse than me,” Juliette says while looking Lilly up and down critically.
Lilly gasps. “Excuse you? Look at your eyebrows p>
“My eyebrows are perfect p>
“They look like something a toddler drew p>
“You’re just jealous because you basically have no brows p>
Before their argument can escalate further, the door swings open again.
“If you two don’t stop bickering,” Mom says sternly as she walks inside, “I’m going to put both of you over my knees and spank you so hard you won’t be able to walk down the aisle p>
Both Lilly and Juliette turn to stare at mom, both of them looking completely unfazed.
“Seriously, Aunt Ivy?” Lilly asks, “We both know you wouldn’t p>
Mom’s eyes narrow. “Is that a challenge p>
“No-No, Aunt Ivy… we’ll behave. I promise.” Juliette jumps in to say.
I bite my lip hard to stop myself from laughing, knowing very well it’s that ‘mom’ look that made Juliette back down so easily.
Mom looks serious, but I can see the anxiety beneath it. The nervousness she’s trying so hard to hide because she’s just as emotional about today as I am.
Her eyes finally land on me properly and Instantly they fill with tears.
“Oh sweetheart,” she whispers. “You look beautiful p>
I smile softly. “Thank you p>
Mom laughs shakily while wiping at her eyes.
“I’m just so happy this day finally came,” she admits. “For a while there, I thought I’d never get to walk you down the aisle p>
“Oh my God, Mom.” I groan immediately.
“I’m serious p>
Lilly bursts out laughing. “Remember when she swore off men completely and announced she was going to stay single forever p>
My face burns instantly. “Please don’t remind me p>
Juliette gasps dramatically. “Wait, was that before or after the speech about becoming a rich aunt who raises horses and lives alone in a barn because Val will be in the city p>