Chapter 7

Seeing her expression, Gus suddenly felt a wave of inexplicable panic wash over him. He abruptly stood up and pulled Amara into another room without waiting for the family dinner to end. "Amara…" He closed the door behind them and began explaining in an urgent tone, "Rose has been a bit depressed lately, and the doctor said her emotional instability could affect the baby. I'm just trying to keep her happy so she can safely deliver the child." He cupped her face in his hands, his voice almost pleading. "Please just bear with this a little longer. It'll be over soon. Once the baby is born, I'll send her away immediately, and we can live as a family of three. Okay?" A family of three? Amara looked at his anxious expression and suddenly found it laughable. He wouldn't need to send Rose away. This time, she would be the one leaving. "Okay," she said quietly. "I agree." Gus visibly relaxed and pulled her into his arms, his tone joyful. "I knew you'd understand. You're always so reasonable." Wedding planning kicked into high gear. Rose spent every day excitedly selecting wedding rings and dresses, even deliberately bringing brochures of wedding venues to ask for Amara's opinion. "Amara, what do you think of this venue?" she asked with a sweet smile, though her eyes held a hint of provocation. "Mr. Manning says he wants to give me the best." Amara calmly flipped through the brochure and replied evenly, "They all look lovely." Rose felt like she was hitting a brick wall, biting her lip in frustration. Finally, only the wedding dress remained to be chosen. Rose clung to Gus' arm and said coquettishly, "Mr. Manning, I want to wear Amara's wedding dress. Would that be okay?" That wedding dress had cost Gus millions of dollars, commissioned from an internationally renowned designer as a custom piece. It was a testament to their love. Gus' expression shifted, and he instinctively began to refuse. But Amara suddenly spoke up, "That's fine." Gus whipped around to stare at her in disbelief. "Amara?" Amara's expression remained calm. "Didn't you tell me to be more generous with her?" She stood up and walked toward the closet, her voice light and detached. "Besides, it's just a wedding dress. Why wouldn't I agree?" She took down the snow-white gown and handed it to Rose. Gus stood frozen in place, watching her serene expression as an unprecedented wave of panic washed over him. It felt like she was slowly disappearing from his life, piece by piece. But he quickly pushed down his unease. Amara loved him too much to leave him. Besides, if he could just endure one more month, just until Rose delivered the baby, everything would be over. Amara would wait for him. Rose had no idea what Gus was thinking. She clutched the wedding dress in ecstasy and dragged him to the wedding venue that very day for rehearsal. She couldn't wait to slip into the designer gown. Standing before the mirror, she twirled around and smiled smugly at Gus. "Mr. Manning, do I look beautiful in this dress?" Gus stared at the dress, his emotions conflicted. This was his and Amara's wedding dress. He had personally placed the veil on her head and made his vows before the priest. "For the rest of my life, you're the only one I want." Now, another woman was wearing it. His throat tightened as he forced out a smile. "You look beautiful."