Chapter 2

The staff member was a sharp one.

She instantly sensed the undercurrent surging between us.

"Miss Swanson, I'm so sorry, I made a mistake!"

"Your custom wedding gown is finished. Come take a look!"

As she spoke, she drew back the curtain.

What came into view was a satin wedding gown.

No elaborate piles of rhinestones.

Just a simple off-the-shoulder cut.

Understated, not glaring, and yet stunning enough.

I spent three months designing this gown.

Every detail fit my figure perfectly.

From the first sketch to the final draft, I stayed up night after night.

Bit by bit, I polished it into the most beautiful version of the wedding I'd imagined.

I had pictured it countless times—myself wearing it.

Pictured us standing side by side in the hall, bringing seven years of love to a perfect close.

Even now, when I had made up my mind not to marry him.

This gown still carried the most sincere love of my past seven years.

The staff member spoke gently.

"Miss Swanson, let me help you into it."

I nodded softly and reached out to take the gown.

Just as I was about to turn and walk into the fitting room.

A sobbing sound suddenly came from beside me.

It was Simone.

She was covering her face, her shoulders trembling faintly.

The picture of hurt and loneliness.

Raymond instinctively looked over at her.

His expression tightened almost instantly.

"What's wrong, Simone? Are you feeling unwell?"

Simone shook her head lightly.

Her voice carried a trace of envy.

"It's nothing. I just saw the two of you finally getting your happy ending..."

"I'm so happy for you both, I couldn't help it."

As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly, the loneliness in her eyes deepening.

"I'm not as lucky as Mercedes, to find a husband as wonderful as you, Raymond."

"I don't even know... when I'll ever get to wear the gown I love..."

At those words, Raymond's heart softened instantly.

"What's so hard about that?"

He casually made the decision for me.

Like it was some trivial little matter.

"Mercedes, Simone has always loved wedding gowns."

"Be generous—let her try yours on first, okay?"

I instinctively gripped the gown tighter in my hands.

"Raymond, not this one."

"I designed it myself. It means something different to me."

The staff member could see my difficulty too.

She stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Miss Carter, we have plenty of other couture gowns in the store, all exquisite."

"Let me pick a few for you to try—I'm sure they'll look wonderful too."

Simone shook her head, a slight catch in her voice.

"No need, I already looked at them all last time I came..."

"Those styles are all so ordinary. None as lovely as this one."

She quietly lowered her eyes, twisting the hem of her dress anxiously.

"Never mind. I was being greedy."

"If Mercedes doesn't agree, then forget it. I just won't try it on."

A retreat meant to advance.

Played to perfection.

Sure enough, Raymond's brows knit tightly.

His eyes were full of displeasure.

"It's just a dress. Do you really have to be this petty?"

The next second, he reached out and forcibly snatched the gown away.

"Simone, don't be upset. Go try it on first."

Simone nodded obediently.

The delight in her eyes impossible to hide.

"Thank you, Raymond."

She took the gown.

And cheerfully went into the fitting room.

In the huge bridal shop, only Raymond and I were left.

It was terrifyingly quiet.

Raymond still seemed to be angry.

Frowning as he scolded me.

"Mercedes, you were really being difficult today."

"It's just a wedding gown. What's wrong with letting her try it on?"

I looked at this man I had loved for seven years.

And my heart grew colder, little by little.

"Being difficult?"

"Raymond, this gown took three months of my blood and sweat."

"To me, it's not just an ordinary dress—it's seven whole years of my hopes."

Raymond's brows twisted even tighter.

"It's just a fitting. Do you have to blow it so far out of proportion?"

"It's not like she won't give it back. Why throw a tantrum?"

A few light, careless words.

And they crushed my last shred of hope.

Just then, the fitting room door opened.

Simone stood there in that satin gown.

Standing quietly in the light and shadow.

Raymond looked over at the sound, a flash of amazement in his eyes.

He praised her with genuine admiration:

"Simone, you look so beautiful in this gown."

"It's practically tailor-made for you."

The words came out naturally, sincerely.

It was the favoring I had never once been given.

Hearing it, Simone smiled shyly.

And slowly walked toward us.

"Oh, it's nothing—it's all thanks to Mercedes's design."

But she had barely taken two steps when a ripping sound suddenly tore out behind her.