Chapter 15
1458 Words
Ellie’s P.O.V.
The moment I stepped outside the mansion, a black luxury car rolled to a stop in front of me.
The driver immediately got out and opened the rear door.
“Good afternoon,ma’am.”
I nodded and asked carefully.
“Where are we going?”
“The mall.”
He stepped aside respectfully.
“Mr. Walton wants you to purchase a wedding gift for your sister and a dress for the banquet.”
Again Mr. Walton!
My mind raced as I simply stared at him, figuring out who had arranged this trip.
Then it occurred to me.
“Zack can’t be so generous as to ask me to buy a dress.”
So, this was my husband's arrangement.
First he gave me the bank cards, and now this, making me feel a bit strange.
Nobody had ever handed me money and said, ‘Spend it.’
Taking a deep breath, I climbed into the car, ready for this so-called banquet shopping. The engine had barely started when someone suddenly knocked against the window.
I looked up.
“Lilly?”
That old maid stood outside, slightly breathless. Lowering the window, I asked.
“What happened?”
“Master's orders.” She clutched her chest. “I am supposed to accompany you everywhere, ma’am.”
And that was… Zack!
I rolled my eyes inwardly and opened the door, shifting aside.
“Get in.”
Lilly smiled brightly and slid into the seat.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
The drive toward the city passed quietly. Soon the peaceful roads surrounding the White Mansion disappeared behind us, replaced by crowded streets, flashing signs, and endless streams of people.
The mall was bustling, bright and chaotic. The loud noise really made me feel uncomfortable.
I hadn't realized how much I had grown accustomed to the silence of White Mansion until now.
Maybe I preferred solitude or was simply tired of people’s judgmental stares.
I muttered under my breath.
“Dress shopping is going to be a struggle.”
Lilly noticed my conflict.
“Where shall we go first, ma’am?”
I adjusted my purse and sighed.
“Let's buy Alice's gift.”
We walked toward the shops, a luxury jewelry store welcomed us with sparkling displays and polite smiles.
I examined several diamond bracelets and rings while the sales assistant enthusiastically explained their features.
Behind me, Lilly leaned closer.
“Ma’am, perhaps consider a necklace set.”
I glanced back.
“A necklace?”
She nodded seriously.
“Mr. Walton likes grand things.”
“Oh.”
That actually sounded like something my husband would say. He gave me half a million dollars to spend for my needs, so giving a simple bracelet on his behalf would be wrong.
I turned back toward the display.
“In that case, may I see some complete sets?”
“Of course.”
The saleswoman immediately brought out three velvet cases. She opened them one by one.
The first was elegant, the second was extravagant, but the third one was… familiar.
My breath caught in my throat as I gazed at that perfect piece.
A delicate diamond necklace rested against black velvet. The centerpiece resembled a blooming flower crafted entirely from pear-shaped diamonds, surrounded by smaller stones that caught the light like drops of frozen rain.
The matching earrings, bracelet, and ring had the same pattern, complementing the necklace.
It took me only a second to recognize that set as memories pulled me back to my wedding preparations.
I wanted this exact set for my special day, this latest design trending on every site three months ago.
I remembered imagining myself wearing this, calculating budgets, cutting expenses, and making compromises to afford it.
But Jared dismissed my request when I asked him to contribute a thousand dollars.
“A necklace isn't important, Ellie. We shouldn't waste money on unnecessary things.”
My heart ached at the irony of the situation. It was funny how I could buy this set without even checking the price now.
But I was no longer that enthusiastic bride-to-be.
My love was someone else’s husband now.
Sighing, I pointed at the velvet case.
“I’ll take this once.”
A dull ache spread through my chest.
Alice got everything—my groom, my wedding, and the prestige of being Mrs. Jared Walton.
She could have the necklace too.
The saleswoman beamed with happiness, praising my excellent choice.
As the set was packaged, Lilly spoke gently.
“The gift is done. Why aren’t you buying something for yourself, ma’am?”
After buying this gift, I already wanted to leave everything and spend the rest of the day in a corner, no longer interested in shopping.
But I couldn’t tell her the truth, so I made an excuse.
“I still need a dress, Lilly. The matching jewelry can wait.”
A few minutes later, we left the store carrying the gift bag.
The weight in my hand felt heavier than diamonds should, my chest aching. I forced myself to move forward and walked inside a boutique, the colorful fabrics captivating my attention.
As I scrolled through the racks, Lilly asked curiously.
“What kind of dress are you looking for, ma’am?”
I laughed softly.
“Whatever exists in my size.”
Unfortunately, that answer proved painfully accurate.
I couldn’t find a single dress for the banquet after checking seven stores. Even Lilly looked exhausted, visibly struggling to keep up.
“Ma’am...”
She panted. “How is it possible that none of these stores have a suitable dress?”
I glanced at her flushed face. That poor woman looked seconds away from collapsing.
“Let's sit down first.”
Ten minutes later, we sat in the food court, sipping milkshakes.
She spoke gratefully.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
After several large sips, she finally looked alive again.
“Now,” she said. “You were going to answer my question.”
A small smile touched my lips.
“It seems you have never weighed over two hundred pounds.”
Lilly gazed at me quizzically.
I stirred my drink and spoke.
“Our society has a small circle. Pretty, slim, and rich—only those people are allowed to exist comfortably.
And everyone else?”
I shrugged. “We struggle.”
My gaze drifted toward the counter.
The teenage cashier had given me an odd look earlier when I ordered extra chocolate chips. The kind that reminded me I didn’t fit where everyone else did.
“The world is designed for certain people.”
I took a sip of my shake. “The rest of us have to figure out stuff. Perhaps custom made things.”
Lilly remained silent for a second. Then she suddenly looked alarmed.
“Ma’am, the banquet is in two days. No designer can make a custom dress in that amount of time.”
An idea clicked in my head.
Slowly, a smile appeared on my face.
“Actually, I know a*****e that can.”
Lilly leaned forward.
“Really?”
I nodded.
“Absolutely.”
Her eyes widened hopefully.
“Which store?”
I pointed toward myself.
“Your Style, Your Dress.”
Lilly looked around in confusion.
“I don't think I have seen that brand.”
“You haven't.” I chuckled. “Because I own it, Lilly.”
…
By evening, we returned to White Mansion carrying enough supplies for a gown, the shopping bags full of fabric, laces, threads, and lots of boxes.
Lilly struggled beneath her load.
“This is surprisingly practical, ma’am.”
I smiled delightedly.
“Trust me. It's easier than visiting twenty stores and hearing they don't carry anything above size sixteen.”
Without wasting a second, I began working in my room, turning the free space into my work studio.
When I spread the fabric on the table and grabbed my sketchbook, my mind felt clear for the first time in days.
There were no problems, just me and my designs as hours slipped by unnoticed. A rough version of the gown stood proudly on the mannequin when the dawn finally arrived.
I stared at it for a long while and smiled, warmth spreading in my chest. This is the first thing that was right after my wedding disaster.
Over the next day, I worked almost nonstop. Lilly repeatedly tried to force food into my hands, but I didn’t pay attention to her.
The banquet was tomorrow, and the dress needed to be perfect.
Late that evening, I was attaching the final embroidery details when a knock sounded at my door.
Without waiting for permission, the door opened. A familiar cold voice drifted into the room.
“So, you have found another method of suicide, Ellie Hunt?”
- Writer
