Page 79 of Beautiful Deception

Without even thinking about it, I throw my arms around Mrs. Green. “Thank you. For being understanding.”

Flustered, she hugs me back. “You’re very welcome. I know you don’t have your mother any more, child. I can fill that place for you.”

I blink back my tears before they can fall. “Thank you.”

For the first time in weeks, I feel truly happy.

No amount of anxiety is going to ruin this moment for me.

The bridal boutique is filled with so much white, it’s almost blinding to my eyes.

But Mrs. Green seems to know exactly what she’s doing and she walks right up to the sales associate and tells her we’re here to try on dresses for my upcoming wedding.

The three of us go through the shop, looking at dresses for me to try on. As I do this, all I can think about is how I wish my mom could be here for me. She’s been gone for five years now and I still miss her all the time. She won’t be at my wedding. She isn’t here to help me try on dresses.

I can’t even invite Elena to come with me because Viktor knows exactly who she is. He was engaged to her at one point!

It dawns on me just how alone I really am. I can’t trust anyone with my true secrets or it might end with me dying.

“Are you ok?” Mrs. Green asks.

I quickly wipe away my tears. “I’m fine. Just missing my mom.”

“I know. Here. Why don’t we try this on?” She hands me an off shoulder flowy gown with layers and lace to it. Flowers are embedded into the silk.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe out.

“I saw it and knew it would look beautiful on you. You already have an ethereal quality to you. It’s not surprising Mr. Smirnov would fall in love with you.”

“Mrs. Green…”

She holds up a hand. “I’m not judging. I’m just pointing that out. Now, try this on.”

I do as she says and once I’m in the dress, I can barely believe my eyes. It was made for me. It does have a fairy princess quality to it. It’s perfect.

I show Mrs. Green the dress. “Well? How does it look?”

“You look beautiful. Mr. Smirnov will die when he sees you walking down the aisle towards him in this dress.”

I twirl around in it and let myself laugh and smile. I let myself believe that I am deserving of a fairytale ending.

Until the bell over the door jingles with a new customer.

And when I look over, I see that Natasha has entered the boutique.

And she’s coming right towards me with a glare on her face.

Chapter Twelve

Inessa

Istumblebackwardandfalldown, tripping on my dress.

“Inessa,” Mrs. Green gasps as she rushes over to my side. Natasha uses that to her advantage to stand over me.

“You thought you could marry him?” she hisses.

Mrs. Green helps me stand up. “You need to leave,” she says. “You are not welcome here. Not after what you did to Inessa.”

---