and the wedding day

whirlwind of romance-dinners under candlelight, long drives

asured conversation in his study. She'd buried herself in resea

ies agreed to host both weddings on the same day-a

a box of glittering accessories arrived at Gracie's door

de in public, presenting her with all th

te couture gown Mr. Brayden Stanley commissioned three months ago. And these are rare blue diamon

ight, the necklace catching gl

smile. "Thank you," she said softly, her ton

long as she upheld their agreement, she fig

rned back and found Ellie li

nt edge of envy glinting in her eyes. "Marryi

so small-minded. Her voice remained calm and cool. "You and Theo seem to get along well. I doubt he

ree months after their marriage. Before that wedding, the gown and jewelry he'd arranged for her, w

alm remark cut deep

ld on the same day-and Brayden was the family heir-it wo

elegant enough, beside Gracie's dazzling

curled her lips into a spiteful smile, her

had destroyed Brayden, leavi

with Theo's love, she could li

ling to waste another word, and br

m showed up. Gracie and Ellie were ass

aught an hour of sleep. Even as the stylist unpacked her brushes and palett

d, frowning as she twisted open a tube. "Th

h unease. "I think it's just how it is. We're running o

reached for another tube and l

ting a hand to stop her. "Let me t

nd for a split second, she caught the fl

"It does look odd, but maybe that's just how th

, we'll save this one in case we ne

udied the smooth surface. She lifted it closer, inhale

ntained peanut powder. And s

licious. Gracie couldn't imagine

such petty tricks, even

anded the lipstick back, then beckoned the makeu

listened while Gracie murmure

ly, straining to catch their

's face changed subtly, and she n

done, the bridesmaids entered the ro

Holt, her lifelong best fri

's set, just like you wanted. But seriously, how did you guess Lia w

in, desperate to claim Brayden for herself. In the end, she'd even joined forces with his enemy to orchestrate a

side for three months. But when she saw he could no longer

red, her lips curving into a serene smi

rged into the wedding and turned t

age to Brayden is just a contract and you're not coming between

n-because in that other lifetime, Jessie

his time, she wouldn't let an

ooms made their way to

Brayden standing at the forefront, poised and elegan

applause burst forth, echoing through the g

ed his hand, and Gracie took it, the

med every bit the elega

d a short dis

yer of lipstick, checked her reflection, and loop

the air went eerily quiet, the festive

llie. Heat flared along her lips, then cre

oward Theo. "What's happening? Is t

with concern. "Relax. It looks like a mild allergic r

An allergic reaction? That couldn't be right. The

k. Gracie had clearly meddled with it! That deceitful wom