#Chapter 140: Understanding

Ella POV At some point, I managed to fall asleep, though far too late. When my mother knocked on the door to wake me for the rehearsal dinner, I was beyond exhausted. It took several attempts for me to stir, let alone keep my eyes open long enough to respond. Somehow, I forced myself out of bed and spent a little time getting dressed and doing my makeup. The result was passable—not glamorous, but at least I didn’t look like a zombie. By the time I made my way downstairs, Alexander had already arrived. I paused at the end of the hallway, unnoticed for the moment, and took the opportunity to observe the way my parents interacted with him in my absence. My mother, whose initial reservations about Alexander had been so evident, now smiled warmly and genuinely as they spoke. It wasn’t the polite smile she gave out of obligation; it was sincere, the kind that made the corners of her eyes crinkle. Alexander, to my relief, returned her expression with equal sincer