He Prepared Our Fifth Ring, I Vanished In Seven Days

Celeste's POV: The gown did not fit. The bodice pinched across my chest, and the hips were half an inch tighter than they had been at the last fitting. I was about to ask the sales associate what had happened when Sebastian Shaw noticed it too. His gaze swept toward the boutique manager, who stood trembling off to the side. "It seems a little tight," Sebastian said. The manager stammered, "Ms. Vale came in yesterday to try on Mrs. Shaw's gown. She asked us to take in the measurements. She said it was perfect and that she was very pleased with it." I went still. So Lydia Vale had worn it first. Beside me, Lydia bit her lip. "Sebastian, I forgot to tell you," she said softly. "The gown was so beautiful that I got a little jealous, so I had them alter it to my size. I never thought Mrs. Shaw wouldn't be able to fit into it." Her voice trailed off, but her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "I just wanted to wear it for you," Lydia said. "We ruined Mrs. Shaw's anniversary gown before she even got to wear it. Doesn't that make it more exciting?" "You two really know how to have fun," Noah Brooks said, letting out a suggestive whistle. Lydia blushed and looked up at Sebastian anxiously. Sebastian was not angry. He even laughed and tapped the tip of Lydia's nose with easy intimacy. "You little minx," Sebastian said. "How could I blame you? Some women spend years trying to stay beautiful, but time catches up with them anyway. You are different. You are young, fresh, and beautiful in anything you wear." A dull ache punched through my chest, so deep and sudden that I could barely stay on my feet. Sebastian did not notice. He kissed my forehead and signed, "Celeste, if the gown is uncomfortable, do not force yourself to wear it. Choose another one. Pick whatever you like, and I will have it rushed before the gala, no matter how much trouble it takes. Do not worry." Then he turned back to Lydia. "Can't wait that long, can you?" he asked, his voice low with amusement. "Put on this gown and wait for me next door." They spoke as if no one else were in the room. The fabric stretched painfully across my body, and all at once, it felt like a thousand knives cutting into my skin. My hands shook as I clenched the diamond embroidery at my waist. Then I pulled hard. The fabric tore with a sharp rip. The sound split the air. Tiny diamond embellishments scattered across the floor, glittering at everyone's feet. The gown had cost a fortune and taken months to make. The boutique manager could not hold back a gasp. Lydia's face twisted, and her voice went shrill. "How dare you?" The room went utterly silent. Sebastian froze. His gaze moved from the torn fabric on the floor to my face. His eyes sharpened. In that instant, I clearly saw the flash of suspicion in his gaze. This time, he did not sign. He spoke out loud. "Are you angry?"