“Oh my, she’s absolutely breathtaking!”
“I never imagined anyone could bring such life to this gown.”
“Ma’am, your elegance is simply unparalleled.”
The purple strapless gown clung to Linsey, its luxurious fabric caressing her smooth skin, making her glow under the soft lighting. Her arms, graceful and poised, delicately lifted the hem of her dress as if she were a princess stepping right out of a fairy tale.
The gown hugged her waist, emphasizing her slender silhouette, and the deep purple-a notoriously challenging shade to wear-complemented her calm demeanor without overwhelming her natural beauty.
Catching her reflection in a mirror, Linsey paused, a wave of disbelief washing over her. She hardly recognized the stunning woman gazing back at her.
“I absolutely love the gown you picked for me. Thank you,” she murmured, her eyes twinkling with a grateful smile.
The makeup artist, touched by her sincerity, gave her a heartfelt smile in return. “Mrs. Riley, you might not know this, but it was Mr. Riley who personally selected this gown and the accompanying jewelry for you.”
Surprised, Linsey’s heart fluttered. “Collin?”
“Yep, that’s right,” the makeup artist replied with a nod.
Linsey blinked, her eyes dropping to the exquisitely tailored gown she was wearing. A hint of awe tinged her voice. “The measurements…”
The makeup artist leaned in, her tone bright with a hint of pride. “Your husband provided them. Not only that, but he knew exactly what colors and styles you would want. From the way your face lit up earlier, it’s clear you really love this dress.”
Still enveloped in her reverie, Linsey listened as the hairstylist chimed in, her voice laced with a touch of envy. “You’re so lucky! Mr. Riley really gets what you like-it’s not every day you find someone so thoughtful.”
Linsey was surprised by how caring Collin was.
She had only moved into Vista Villa a month prior, and her interactions with Collin had been scarce, his frequent absences leaving them precious little time together. Yet, despite this, he had discerned her favorite colors and styles with uncanny accuracy. His attentiveness spoke volumes.
That he had noted such details was a testament to his desire to understand her completely.
These preferences were subtly woven into her everyday life and habits; without keen observation, they would be easy to miss.
The realization left Linsey feeling slightly bewildered, yet deeply touched.
Apart from her childhood friend Dolores, Linsey had never felt such genuine care from anyone else.
Her past relationship with Felix had started with gentle attentiveness, yet as the years wore on, he became so distant he even neglected to remember her birthday.
Lost in her reverie, Linsey was startled when Collin’s rich, deep voice cut through the silence. “Do you like the dress you’re wearing?”
His question was straightforward yet tinged with a hint of curiosity. Jerking back to the present, Linsey realized that Collin had slipped into the room unnoticed.
Catching her first glimpse of him today, she saw he had opted for a change in his usual attire.
He was dressed in a deep navy-blue suit that hugged his shoulders snugly, the fabric looking like it was spun from midnight itself. The suit was impeccably tailored, and his tie was knotted to perfection, giving him an aura of refined elegance. His hair, slightly tousled, lent him an effortlessly sophisticated appearance, enhancing his already striking features.
As Collin wheeled himself closer, his eyes lingered on her, a subtle glimmer of admiration flickering across his expression.
“Collin,” Linsey whispered, her voice a soft murmur as she uttered his name, her heart fluttering slightly.
In that intimate moment, Linsey realized the hairstylist and the makeup artist had discreetly exited, leaving them in a quiet bubble of newfound closeness.
“Hmm,” Collin murmured, his deep voice vibrating with a barely concealed concern. He leaned slightly closer, his gaze probing as he repeated his earlier inquiry. “How’s the dress working for you? If it’s not your style, I can have them bring you a different one.”
Linsey’s gaze remained steady, her heart fluttering with intensity. As she looked at his familiar face, a heavy lump of emotion began to build in her throat.
“The dress is lovely, really,” Linsey assured him, her voice a soft whisper laced with a tremor she couldn’t quite mask. She inhaled deeply, attempting to compose herself, but the effort made her vulnerability all the more evident.
Collin’s expression darkened with a mix of confusion and concern. “You don’t seem like it,” he noted, his brow furrowing as he took a subtle step closer. “Your eyes… they tell a different story.”
Indeed, her eyes were glassy, the rims tinged with red, betraying her inner turmoil. Linsey blinked rapidly, a solitary tear escaping despite her best efforts to remain composed.
Collin’s heart constricted at the sight, a pang of something resembling pain threading through his chest.
Linsey’s eyes flickered with nervousness as he spoke, and a tear slipped gently down her cheek.
She turned her head away, her voice shaky as she feebly attempted a diversion. “It’s nothing, really. Just something in my eye, that’s all.”
She made to move away, to hide her tears, but Collin was quicker. His hand reached out, capturing her wrist with a tender yet firm grip.
Collin’s grip remained steady, the warmth of his palm grounding Linsey as his fingers rested lightly against her wrist. Beneath his touch, her pulse trembled-unsteady, yet alive.
“You’ve got makeup on. Stay still,” he said, his voice a quiet command.
Linsey froze, her breath catching as their eyes met. She felt the weight of the moment press against her chest, making it impossible to move. Her lips parted, but no words came. A shimmer of unshed tears clung to her lashes, catching the dim light.
A flicker of something unreadable passed through Collin’s gaze. She looked so fragile, so small, that it made his chest tighten.
He let out a slow breath before reaching up, his rough fingers brushing away the dampness collecting at the corners of her eyes. His touch was careful, deliberate.
“I just want to know if you like the dress. No lies,” Collin said, his tone measured.
A flicker of surprise crossed Linsey’s face. For a beat, her heart stuttered-then surged forward, sending warmth rushing through her veins.
“Yes.”
The single syllable barely made it past her lips before dissolving into silence.
“Hmm?” A quiet hum left Collin’s lips, the depth of his own patience catching him off guard.
Answers might not come easily, but he found himself strangely content to wait.
Linsey’s breath stuttered before she finally spoke, her voice fragile yet sincere. “I love it. Every word is true.”
After a pause, she confessed, “Marrying you… it’s something I’ll never stop being grateful for.”
The instant the words slipped from her lips, something inside him stirred, a feeling too powerful to suppress.
Though his expression remained composed, his next words carried an unmistakable weight. “And why is that? What makes someone like me worth your gratitude?”
Doubt lingered beneath the surface, an unspoken need for reassurance gnawing at him.
Yet in the end, uncertainty kept him from pressing further.
Before she could respond, he flicked something toward her. “Catch.”
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.