Dignity of the Cold CEO’s Wife

Chapter 7

Mari had been humming excitedly since breakfast, the kind of high-pitched, sugary sound that made Selene's temples throb. FOr the fourth time that morning, Mari twirled in front of the hallway mirror, her curls bouncing wildly.

"Do you think the reporters will come?" Mari asked, checking her reflection again. "I should prepare a pose. Maybe like--" She lifted her chin dramatically and angled her body sideways.

"Mari," Selene murmured, adjusting the sleeve of her light blue blouse, "it's an engagement party, not a premirere."

"It is my premiere," Mari corrected with a grin. "And yours, i suppose, though your fiance won't even look at you."

Selene swallowed but didn't respond. She'd learned quickly: challenging Mari's arrogance only fed it.

Their mother clapped her hands. "Girls, the driver will be here soon. YOu need to try on your dressed before the tailors finish the adjustments."

Mari squealed -- actually squealed -- and rushed to get her purse. Selene followed more quietly, smoothing the pleats of her skirt. Even her breaths felt careful today. The engagement party was only days away.

A party filled with the Ravenson elite. A party where Selene would be judged from every angle. A party where she'd have to stand beside Damien -- cold, unreadable Damien -- and pretend she wasn't terrified.

She squared her shoulders.

I can do this.

The tailor's boutique was tucked into a quiet street of high-end shops, the kind Selene rarely visited. The enterance smelled faintly of jasmine perfume and polished wood.

A seamstress approached with a bright smile. "Welcome! You must be the Ravenson brides."

Mari beamed. "Yes! Well, i am. She's the other one."

Selene offered an apologetic smile. "We're both here for the final fittings."

"Of course," the seamstress said warmly. "Your dresses are waiting."

Mari practically sprinted after her.

Selene walked slower, taking in the soft lighting and immaculate displays. Mannequins wore shimmering gowns -- feathered, beaded, embriodered. Everything sparkled.

Her dress hung near a window, protected by a sheer cover. When the seamstress removed it, Selene's breath hitched.

It was elegant. Soft ivory. Long lines. A fitted waist and flowing skirt. Graceful but not flashy. Perfect for a woman who wanted to look dignified rather than loud.

"Try it on," the seamstress urged.

Selene changed in the fitting room, fingers shaking slightly as she fastened the hidden claps. When she stepped out, her mother covered her mouth with a small gaps.

"Oh... Selene." Her eyes glistened. "You look beautiful."

Selene lifted her gaze to the mirror. The dress makde her look taller, her skin luminous, her dark hair fuller where if fell over one shoulder. The soft ivory complemented her warm tone, and the delicate embroidery along the neckline created a quiet elegance.

She looked liked someone who belonged in the Ravenson world -- even if she didn't feel it yet.

Mari burst out of the next fitting room.

"Look at me!"

Her dress was bright gold and tight as a second skin, sequins covering practically every inch. It shimmered so loudly that the room felt smaller.

Mari posed with ine hip popped dramatically. "Isn't it incredible? Ethan will faint."

Selene blined. "It's... eye-catching."

Mari rolled her eyes. "Please. Just admit i look stunning."

Selene smiled gently. "You do."

Mari smirked. "And you look like a librarian who wandered into a wedding."

Their mother snapped, "Mari!"

Mari shrugged. "What? I'm honest."

Selene didn't flinch. She simmply turned back toward the mirror, letting her calm expression do the talking. She wouldn't let Mari ruin this.

Not today.

As the seamstress marked adjustments on Mari's dress, the bell over the boutique chimed softly.

Selene didn't need to look to know who entered. The shift in the air was enough -- colder, sharper, weighted.

Damien.

She froze.

Her mother straightened immediately. Mari squealed, nearly slipping off the fitting platform.

Damien stood in the doorway with one hand in his pocket, wearing a crisp black suit that somehow made the boutique feel too small. His dark hair was perfectly syled, and his expression was as unreadable as ever.

But his eyes -- briefly, fleetingly -- fell on Selene.

Just for a second. A flicker. A pause.

As if he hadn't exprected her to look... like this.

Selene lowered her gaze politely.

Ethan followed behind him, grinning broadly. "Wow! Well, this place is fancy. Hi, ladies!"

Mari elbowed him playfully. "Ethan, do you love it? Be honest -- do you love it?"

Before Ethan could answer, Damien spoke.

"We're here to confirm the transportation arrangements and the schedule for the night of the party." His gaze flicked once more toward Selene -- professionally, but not entirely cold. "I didn't realize fittying were today."

Selene clasped her hands. "We didn't want to disrupt your time."

"It isn't dirupted," Damien replied smoothly. His tone remained neutral, but the lack of dismissal surprised her.

Mari immediately shoved herself between them. "Damien, doesn't Selene's dress look a little plain? You can tell her -- it's okay."

Damien stared at Mari, expression flat. "Plain," he repeated.

Mari smriked victoriously.

Then Damien turned to Selene.

"No," he said simply. "It suits her."

Selene felt her breath catch in her chest.

Mari's smile cracked like glass.

Ethan stifled a laugh.

Their mother beamed silently in the corner.

Selene kept her voice steady. "Thank you."

Damien nodded once, as if satisfied, then addressed the seamstress about arrival times and exit routes for the engagement party. The sightest softening around his eyes. The smallest hesitation before looking away.

A crack in the ice. Tiny, but real.

As the sun set, Selene sat on her bed, running her fingers over the soft fabric of her gown. Mari had argued with their mother all the way home about wanting a "more dramatic neckline," but Selene had stayed quiet, list in the memory of Damien's words.

It suits her.

He hadn't needed to say anything. He could have ignored her completely. He usually did. And yet...

Selene exhaled, steadying her heart.

In just a few days, she would stand beside him at the biggest even of her life.

A room full of strangers would judge her. Her sister would undermine her. Damien would watch every move -- even if he pretended not to.

She touched the gown again, fingers gentle.

I'll show them who i am.

And for the first time, she felt a spark, not fear, but determination.