“Are we taking them with the families too?”
“I don’t think so. The reporters made everyone leave in a hurry. But unless you want us to take one together, that won’t be a problem.”
“No, I’m good.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay then,” he said, standing up.
They left the hotel to meet Sharon, who was waiting patiently at the mall. As soon as she saw them, she grinned and hurried over to greet them.
“Oh, my beautiful daughter,” Sharon said, embracing Clarisse, who felt a bit uncomfortable. “Congratulations, my darling,” she added, smiling.
“Congratulations to hell,” Clarisse thought to herself.
“Thank you, ma’am,” she said, still unsure how to address her.
“Ma’am? I’m hurt by that,” Sharon said, feigning a frown, which surprised Clarisse. She didn’t want to make any more mistakes, so she stayed silent.
“Anyways, we need to do some changing,” Sharon continued, winking at Clarisse before pulling her away to the bridal dress section.
“She acts like I’m invincible,” Christian muttered, feeling a slight pang of jealousy. But before he could think much about it, his phone rang. It was his investigator, whom he had sent to inquire about Clarisse. He had been waiting for the update.
“Hello, sir.”
“Find anything?” Christian asked.
“More than anything,” the investigator replied.
“What did you find?”
“I found a lot,” he began, recounting what he had learned. He detailed how Clarisse had started living with the Ferdinands, how she stopped going to school and was forced to study at home, doing Alice’s assignments until she graduated from college. He continued with the story of her marriage, how it ended in divorce, and how she was remarried soon after.
By the time the investigator finished his report, Christian’s fist had clenched in anger.
“Well done,” he said through gritted teeth before hanging up.
Now, everything made sense. He understood why she seemed so distant, blank, and detached. The pain and emptiness in her eyes, the lifeless expression-everything she said and did now had context. It made his blood boil, and his knuckles were turning red with anger. The information stirred something inside him, a deep desire to protect her, to hold her and shield her from the world’s cruelty, and, above all, to get revenge.
He looked in the direction they had gone to and said, “They shouldn’t have done all that,” he said, his voice laced with anger. “Now that you’re with me, I’ll be your shield and your safe haven. I’ll protect you with everything I have, and no one will ever dare lay a finger on you. I’ll make them tremble just by hearing your name. I promise you, Ari.”
Clarisse followed Sharon into another section, her eyes watching Sharon, who seemed absorbed in the joyful atmosphere as they embarked on the search for the perfect wedding dress for her. Clarisse felt a strange sense of longing, and her heart ached. She imagined what the moment would have been like if her mother had been alive. The feeling of motherly love overwhelmed her, and the ache was deep. Though her eyes were on Sharon, it was her mother’s face she saw.
Sharon sifted through the collection of dresses, growing more frustrated by the moment. The dress Clarisse was wearing made her angry; she wanted her to look her best, to make this day unforgettable for her. Sharon had to hold herself back from hugging the fragile, lean Clarisse. Now that Clarisse was married to her son, Sharon felt an excitement she hadn’t expected. She was gaining another daughter, and she wanted this wedding to be perfect. When she learned of Clarisse’s real parents, Sharon assumed the role of mother, and she was determined to make this day special for her.
“Why do you want to buy me a new dress, ma’am?” Clarisse asked.
Sharon turned to her with a frown. “Ma’am?”
The frown deepened, making Clarisse feel uncomfortable.
“M…mum?” she corrected.
At that, Sharon’s frown instantly transformed into a wide grin.
“What was your question again, my daughter?” she asked with a warm smile.
Clarisse’s heart raced as she tried to explain, unsure whether it was fear or nervousness. “I…I was asking… why are we buying… a new dress?”
“How can my daughter wear something so big?” Sharon asked with a disapproving look. “The person who picked that dress must have been blind. I need to pick something beautiful, something that highlights your beauty, not hides it.”
Clarisse lowered her gaze, feeling lost and uncertain.
Finally, Sharon found a stunning dress. She quickly shoved it in Clarisse’s direction and urged her to try it on. When Clarisse emerged, Sharon and the attendants gasped. The dress was not only beautiful but perfectly captured Clarisse’s essence. The moment, filled with emotion, brought tears of joy and warmth to both their hearts.
“One final touch,” Sharon said proudly. Two women stepped forward, taking Clarisse away to apply her makeup.
Meanwhile, Christian waited patiently in the waiting room. He checked his wristwatch for the fifth time. As the minutes stretched on, he muttered, “You’d better go to sleep now, or you might wake up and they’ll still be not done.” He shook his head in disbelief; he had already spent two hours waiting for them, and they were still not out.
As the tension in the air grew, each second seemed to stretch into eternity. Then, his phone rang-it was his brother. Gael had just finished dealing with his best friend, who wouldn’t stop whining and complaining about missing the wedding. He hadn’t expected such a situation, and by the time he arrived at the venue, reporters were already leaving.
“Hello, husband,” Gael’s teasing voice came through the phone.
“What is it?” Christian replied.
“Come on, it’s your wedding day. Sound more joyful! Why, is the bride not beautiful?”
“Far more beautiful than your girlfriend.”
“Oh, so you’re admitting my girlfriend is beautiful?” Gael teased.
Christian sighed, growing irritated. “What do you want, Gael?” he asked.
Gael continued laughing, seemingly unaware of his brother’s frustration. “I can’t believe you’re getting married before me. I was…” But Christian didn’t hear the rest of his words. What he saw at that moment drowned out everything else.
The door opened gently, revealing his radiant bride. Her beauty took his breath away. Time seemed to slow as he took in the sight before him. The intricately designed dress enveloped her in a dreamlike haze, with sparkling details catching the light, creating an ethereal glow.
Her eyes met his, uncertainty in them. She wasn’t sure of his thoughts, but his gaze was fixed on her. Standing beside her was her mother-in-law, grinning.
Christian’s heart swelled with a whirlwind of emotions: pride for the beautiful woman standing before him, a deep sense of protection and love for her, and an overwhelming anticipation for the life they were about to begin together.
Every intricate detail on the dress, from the delicate lace to the elegant veil, seemed to radiate a harmony that mirrored the love they would share. The mesmerizing vision before him was a serene, whimsical reflection of the journey he dreamed of embarking on with her.
“Go and meet your husband,” Sharon whispered in her ear, and Clarisse nodded.
Christian was mesmerized. She looked even more beautiful as she slowly walked toward him, and the air grew thick with emotions. Her heart beat faster, and though she had been feeling so numb lately, this moment suddenly stirred something deep inside her. Yet, the tears wouldn’t come; they had stopped flowing for some time now. Christian’s heart was pounding as he admired her, his throat tightening as he recalled what the investigator had told him. It made him angry once again, but the scent of her, as she came closer, eased all of his anger, replacing it with a new feeling-one he had never experienced before.
He stood up slowly, his eyes fixed on her, and whispered just loud enough for her to hear, “You look absolutely stunning.”
Her eyes glistened. The words felt so strange to her, and everything about this moment felt unfamiliar. She needed a break, a moment alone. She wished time would stop, as she was terrified this might all be fleeting.
“Time for wedding pictures now, guys,” Sharon said with a grin.
What’s the purpose of all this? she thought. I’m sure there’s a reason why they’re being so sweet and friendly. Me? Stunning? When I look so lean? She sighed inwardly. It’s going to be over soon. That, I’m certain of.
Clarisse sighed and leaned back, taking a deep breath.
Is he after my death? she thought. This is the second time I’ve been in a helicopter today.
Her mind wandered to the worst-case scenario as she felt exhausted and hungry. The situation was only making things worse. The photoshoot had taken so long, and now they were headed to-well, only heaven knew where.
She gripped her gown and tried to relax, focusing on steadying her breath. Gradually, she began to calm down. The cool breeze against her skin was soothing, and the noise of the helicopter faded. The atmosphere felt peaceful. Have we arrived?
She opened her eyes, expecting to see their destination, but what greeted her was a breathtaking and serene environment. The beauty of the place overwhelmed her. Birds were soaring in the sky, trees had blossomed beautifully, and the ground was covered with various flowers, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
“Where am I?” she asked, her voice a whisper as she took in the peaceful surroundings. It felt like heaven. Looking around, she realized she was no longer in the helicopter, but sitting on a bench in the middle of this paradise.
Is this… a dream? she wondered, sinking back against the bench. She couldn’t remember the last time she had dreamt. Her expression remained blank, neither pleased nor amazed by the surroundings. It was as if she were expecting something unpleasant to happen, as if she didn’t belong here. The beauty of the scene felt temporary, like a dream that would be taken away. She had grown used to pain, rejection, trauma, nightmares, and loneliness. Emptiness had become her constant companion. So, being in such a beautiful place seemed strange, and she was certain it would disappear.
“Clarisse,” a voice called from beside her, but her body stiffened, and she couldn’t move.
It was a voice she had nearly forgotten. Everything around her seemed to stop, except for the rapid beating of her heart.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.