Page 110 of The Rogue and His Flower

“No, Dalton,” she replies, stepping into my room as she hangs it up on the open door of my wardrobe, right next to the wedding dress I bought with Lia, a beautiful cream and gold embroidered gown that now seems to mock me with everything it represents.

I turn back to Tessa, frowning. “What is it?” I question.

“He said it was a gift to you, somethingnew,” she explains softly, her eyes darting to the wardrobe where the bag now hangs. “He also wanted me to give you this.”

Reaching inside the pocket of her dress she pulls out an envelope, handing it to me. “Would you like me to stay and help you with your dress?”

“Thank you, yes, I’d appreciate that…” I reply, my voice catching.

Lia had offered to come this morning, knowing I’d have no one else, but I’d told her that it wasn’t necessary. Truth is, I couldn’t face another conversation about Dalton and our relationship, despite how supportive and understanding she’s been. Opening the envelope, I find a handwritten note fromDalton, his neat cursive a blur of words that make my heart clench with unexpected emotion.

Dear Daisy,

As you already know I tend to say and do the wrong thing and fuck things up, so instead I wanted to give you something that I hope will, at the very least, make this wedding bearable,it begins, the words so simple yet so laden with unspoken feelings.But what I will say is this; whilst I can’t give you your dream wedding, I can give you your perfect wedding dress.

“What?” I whisper, my eyes flicking to the cloth garment bag, before I drag my gaze back to the letter.

I took the liberty of contacting Matilda a few days after you showed me your drawing, and she very graciously agreed to bring your beautiful design to life. I hope it’s everything you wished for. Even if I can’t make you truly happy like a husband should, then I hope this dress will give you some happiness, however fleeting, Dalton.

“He didn’t?” I say, my eyes brimming with tears as I fold the letter up and slide it back into the envelope.

“Is everything okay?” Tessa asks me, concern etched in the gentle lines of her face as she looks at me.

“Have you seen what’s inside?” I ask her, trying to compose myself as I reach for the garment bag.

“No, Miss, I haven’t,” she replies.

With trembling fingers, I unzip the bag, gasping at the beautiful layered chiffon that reveals itself to me. The dress is breathtaking, a vision of pale pink, baby blue, soft yellow, subtle green and muted lilac that seems to shift and change colour as I run my hands over the delicate fabric. An exact replica of my design, the dress is like a rainbow woven together, each hue blending seamlessly into the next, creating a stunning ombre effect that takes my breath away. More tears blur my vision asI run my fingers over the coloured gems that adorn the bodice catching the sunlight that filters into my bedroom.

“It’s…”

“Beautiful,” Tessa says, as my own words fail me.

“It’s my design,” I whisper, my throat clogged with emotion as I’m faced with a decision. Do I wear this beautiful gown, the dress of my dreams that Dalton has gifted me, or choose the wedding dress that would meet the expectations of his father and everyone else who will be in attendance today?

I flick my gaze between the two dresses, knowing that my decision will be a pivotal moment in defining my own sense of self. The dress I had chosen with Lia, though stunning, symbolises my marriage into a family who have certain expectations of me, and only serves to remind me of that moment I signed the contract to save my brother from a life he didn’t deserve, and binding me to a man who had once only ever thought of himself.

Yet within the delicate threads of the gown Dalton unexpectedly gifted me lies a glimmer of hope, a shard of kindness and understanding amidst the chaos of my emotions. In this singular act of generosity, Dalton has given me something far more precious—a reminder that even in moments of heartache and uncertainty, there can be grace and unexpected beauty.

There really is only one choice I can make, and so with a deep breath, I slip off my dressing gown and reach for the ombre dress, a warm smile pulling up my lips.

Drix is waitingfor me on the steps of St Augustine’s church as I step out of the chauffeur driven car, his expression a mixtureof love, admiration, and fleeting concern that he hides with a beaming smile. I know today is hard on him, but having him here means everything to me.

“Daisy, you look incredible,” he says, as his eyes fall on my stunning wedding dress.

“Thank you,” I reply, offering him a small smile as I walk towards him, the cool breeze causing my dress to flutter around my legs in a cascade of colours.

“Your dress is exquisite,” he exclaims, grinning broadly. “Lia said it was beautiful, but this is just… Soperfectlyyou.”

“This wasn’t the dress I chose with Lia,” I reply.

“It’s not?”

“No. This is a dress I designed. Dalton surprised me with it this morning. He had it made for me,” I say softly.

Drix’s eyes widen. “He did? That’s… thoughtful.”

“It is,” I agree. “Despite everything, Dalton is really trying, Drix. Maybe it’s time you two sorted things out?”

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