The day of the wedding dawned clear and crisp, a perfect autumnal morning that promised photographic brilliance. Yet, inside the opulent suite of the Grand Regency, Amelia felt a stillness that had nothing to do with the weather.
The Bride's Preparations
Amelia sat before the mirrored vanity, a vision of sculpted elegance. Her gown, an ivory silk creation, was a masterpiece of minimalist design-powerful, chic, and utterly appropriate for the daughter of a business mogul. She watched her reflection as the stylist placed the final pins in her intricate updo, her expression meticulously neutral.
Sarah was bustling around the room, her energy a nervous counterpoint to Amelia's calm.
"Oh, Amelia, you look breathtaking. Truly," Sarah insisted, adjusting a stray crystal on the veil. "Everythi
