Chapter 6 Give Her a Groom Too

"So, Ms. Graham, do you finally see what you are to him?" While trying on the wedding dress, Danica finally shed her innocent facade, revealing her true colors. But Louisa was already numb beyond feeling. "Ms. Watson, you abandoned Thaddeus in his darkest days and returned after his success. Who do you take yourself to be?" "So what?" Danica said smugly. "He still loves me, so I'm the one he's marrying. And you? It's true that he slept with you and that you stayed with him through his darkest times, but in the end, you're not the one he wants." Danica gloated openly, yet every word she spoke was the cold, undeniable truth. Louisa had no interest in competing over a man's affections or arguing about who was more deserving, so she simply asked, "What's the point in saying all this to me, Ms. Watson?" "I don't wish to ever see you again after the wedding, Ms. Graham," Danica said bluntly. Louisa smiled brilliantly. She was leaving, but she would not be chased away by anyone. She refused to satisfy the would-be bride. Instead, she retorted provocatively, "Well, why don't you get Thaddeus to talk to me about this?" "Louisa, are you still under the illusion that Teddy still loves you?" Danica asked, murderous intent blazing in her eyes. No! Louisa had severed all delusions the moment Thaddeus took the ring from her and slipped it onto Danica's finger. "This gown is gorgeous, Ms. Watson. You will certainly look stunning on your wedding day," Louisa said, leaving the fitting room with those words. Thaddeus had already changed into his suit. The dark groom's attire made him look even taller and more striking. The rimless glasses on the bridge of his nose added a touch of scholarly elegance, much like he had appeared when Louisa first met him. Back then, she had wondered how a man could possibly be so handsome. Now, his attractiveness had only increased with time. He was still pleasing to the eye, still capable of making hearts flutter. But if she could turn back time, she would never have approached him. She would have kept her distance. However, there was no turning back time. There was only the future. So, she would simply let him vanish from hers. "Go and pick out one that you like," Thaddeus said as he walked up to her, gesturing toward the array of wedding gowns. But what need did she have for a wedding dress? To crash his wedding with? She wasn't so childish as to pull something like that. "Mr. Cromwell, if you're giving me a wedding dress, then you might as well give me a groom too. Do you have one to offer me?" Louisa couldn't resist asking sarcastically. Thaddeus' expression darkened. "What's that supposed to mean, Louisa?" Louisa reached out and lightly brushed her fingers over one of the gowns in front of her. "I just got a sudden urge to get married too." "Are you doing this on purpose, Louisa? I already told you that—" Thaddeus began, but before he could finish, the fitting-room door opened and Danica stepped out. The million-dollar wedding gown made her breathtakingly beautiful. Louisa was momentarily transfixed. She, too, had once fantasized about a day like this, standing beside Thaddeus in a pure white gown. But ultimately, fantasies were just bubbles destined to burst. "How do I look, Teddy?" Danica asked, the picture of an innocent, carefree young lady without a hint of guile once again. "You look amazing as always, Dani," Thaddeus said, repeating the words he had once fed Louisa. They say that a heart didn't turn cold overnight. Likewise, Louisa hadn't given up on Thaddeus all at once. Instead, her love for him had diminished little by little, in every look, every word, and every action of his. "Don't I look good, Ms. Graham? You should hurry up and pick one too! Get Teddy to buy it for you when you get married," Danica said, grabbing Louisa's arm as she came closer. Louisa didn't know what Danica had in her hand, but she suddenly felt a sharp sting in her arm, as if being pricked by a needle. She instinctively jerked her hand away. With a terrified scream, Danica stumbled backward heavily, but not before grabbing Louisa's arm, pulling her down as well. "Dani!" Thaddeus called out, rushing forward. He caught Danica, but Louisa crashed heavily onto the cold, hard floor. Her head struck the ground with a sickening thud that seemed to reverberate through the entire bridal shop. Louisa felt her head buzzing loudly as the world spun around her. In that instant, she remembered Danica's earlier question—did she still harbor the illusion that Thaddeus loved her? Well, she got her answer now.