Page 16 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"Take a look."

I opened the lid and pulled out a stunning gold necklace with a teardrop diamond. "Oh, wow! This is beautiful."

"It's for you to wear today if you're comfortable with it. Consider it your something borrowed."

"I don't know what to say. I've never worn anything as nice as this."

"May I help you put it on?"

I nodded, turning around as she fixed the clasp. And then I walked over to the mirror, shocked again by how beautiful it was, simple yet elegant. "It's perfect."

"Well, that's what this is all about, isn't it? Perfection? That's what Victor keeps telling me, that this resort will embody perfection in every way, especially for potential brides and grooms. This will be the ultimate in destination wedding locations. And you are our first bride, so you must look the part."

I turned away from the mirror, beginning to once again feel like an imposter in my own life.

"It looks good on you." Paula gave an approving nod as we faced each other. But the moisture in her eyes didn't match that approval.

"Is everything all right?" I asked as she dabbed at her eyes with her fingers.

"I was thinking about my wedding, how excited and optimistic I felt. Victor's mother put that necklace on me, and I also thought it was perfect. So perfect, but perfection is really just an illusion…" Her voice faded away. Then she immediately straightened and shook off whatever emotion had her in its grip. "Anyway, Victor said you needed a special piece of jewelry for the wedding photos, and he thought this might be the best choice, so I offered to lend it to you for the evening."

"It's very generous, but it feels like it's too much."

"Don't be ridiculous. Nothing is too much, not when it's representing my family."

"Then I'm honored to wear it. Thank you. I'll return it right after the ceremony."

"Tomorrow is fine. I hope you'll be very happy in your marriage, Lauren. I'll let you get back to your friends, and I'll see you at the wedding."

I walked her to the door. "Thank you again."

She paused once more as if she wanted to say something else, but in the end, she simply smiled and left.

As I closed the door, Harper and Jamie came out of the bedroom with questions in their eyes.

"What was that about?" Harper asked. "And what is that around your neck?"

"Mrs. Carrington is letting me wear one of her necklaces. In fact, it's the one she wore at her wedding."

"It's gorgeous," Jamie breathed as they both moved in to take a closer look. "This must be worth a lot of money."

"They thought I needed to wear a signature piece of jewelry for the photos."

"You're quite the Cinderella, aren't you?" Harper asked, a bitter edge to her voice. "I hope everything won't turn back to ashes at the stroke of midnight."

"This is all about the campaign; it's not about me. I'm representing the Carringtons. They probably thought any jewelry I would wear would look cheap, which it would, compared to this."

"It will go perfectly with your dress, which probably also cost a fortune," Jamie said, a wistful note in her voice. "And the necklace can be your something borrowed."

"That's what Mrs. Carrington said."

"And your something old," Jamie added. "It looks vintage."

"It belonged to her mother-in-law."

"Well, you still need something blue," Harper commented. "Is there a sapphire coming your way, too?"

"No. And remember how you told me you were going to be supportive? That's not happening right now, Harper."

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