The boutique was a temple of white silk and lace, the air thick with the scent of roses and the quiet hum of classical music. Ava stood in the center of the room, surrounded by racks of wedding dresses that seemed to mock her with their innocence. She didn’t belong here. She didn’t belong in any of this.
Elena, the wedding planner, hovered nearby, her tablet clutched in one hand, a measuring tape in the other. “What do you think of this one?” she asked, pulling out a gown with a sweeping train and delicate beading. “It’s very bridal.”
Ava’s fingers tightened around the fabric if her coat. “I told you. I’m not wearing white.”
Elena’s smile didn’t waver. “Of course. What do you want?”
Ava turned away, her gaze landing on a dress in the corner. It was ivory, not white, with a simple, eleg
