Page 58 of Theirs to Corrupt

But I won’t be sharing this moment with anyone who matters, and life has turned my dreams into nightmares.

When I step out of the dressing room, the expressions on Link’s and Pax’s faces tell me everything I need to know.

“That’s the one,” Link says softly, his eyes never leaving me.

Pax nods in agreement. “You’re even more gorgeous than ever, Tessa.”

The dress is elegant without being too formal. It suits me—or at least, the version of me I’m slowly becoming.

As I continue to gaze at my reflection, a different feeling hits me.

Peace.

Eloise is standing to one side, slightly behind me. She’s smiling. “Tessa, is this your gown?”

I blink back tears, but one clings to my eyelashes.“Yes.”

Once we’re back in the dressing room, Eloise brings a selection of veils for me to try. “So your gentlemen have some surprise for the wedding, no?”

Not that it should matter to me.

“Which one?”

I settle for one that will attach to the back of my hair.

“This dress was made for you,ma chérie.”

Even I’m captivated by my image. The addition of the beautiful veil has made the outfit complete.

She asks her assistant to fetch the seamstress.

When she arrives, the two converse in French, and pins are stuck into the dress.

“What time is the wedding?” Eloise asks.

“Evening.”

She nods.

A few moments later, the seamstress stands, studies me in the mirror, then nods in satisfaction and leaves.

“You are a beautiful Lumière bride,” Eloise says, embracing me.

The dress is so beautiful that I don’t want to take it off.

Five minutes later, I’m Cinderella again, and the princess becomes just another role I play.

In the showroom, Link and Pax have their arms full of lingerie.

Horrified, blushing, I hurry over to them. “What are you doing?”

“Thinking about the honeymoon.” Link shrugs.

Pax nods.

Wearing a smile, an assistant joins us. “May I wrap these for you, gentlemen?”

Showing no signs of embarrassment, they hand them over.

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