Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Jessica’s POV

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bridal suite, my hands smoothing down my gown for what felt like the hundredth time.

The fabric hugged my figure just right, flowing into a soft train that danced against the floor with elegance.

Today was the day—my wedding day. After everything we’d been through, the fights, the fears, and the moments that tested us to our core. Aaron and I were finally here.

My heart swelled with a mix of joy and nerves, a quiet heat rising to my cheeks as I thought about how far we’d come.

I blinked back the moisture in my eyes, not wanting to smudge the makeup Mika, David’s sister, had so carefully applied.

This was supposed to be perfect, and I wanted to look every bit the bride I’d dreamed of being.

The room buzzed with activity. My bridesmaids-Meiling, Aria, and Aaron’s cousins-darted around in their silk dresses, laughing as they fixed hair and adjusted hems.

Ella, my neighbor from the old apartment in Los Angeles whom hadn’t seen since my aunt’s funeral, fussed over my veil, pinning it securely into my updo.

She adjusted the bouquet of white roses and lilies in my hands, her eyes misty as she murmured, “You look just like Lydia would have wanted.”

A sad smile touched my lips; thinking about her triggered a fresh wave of emotion, but it was a good kind of ache.

Then there was Fallon, my old friend from the diner back in college. She had flown in from across the country just for this.

We hadn’t caught up in ages, but seeing her here, sharing stories from our younger days, made the morning feel complete.

The air smelled of fresh-cut flowers and a dozen different perfumes, a gentle reminder of the support system surrounding

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. One of the venue staff poked her head in.

“Miss Jessica, there’s someone here to see you. She says it’s important.”

I nodded, curious. “Let her in, please.”

The door opened wider, and in walked Mabel.

She was tall and confident, her dark hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, dressed in a pantsuit that looked remarkably polished.

I hadn’t seen her since she left me at the hospital with my aunt.

Sometimes I still think about the incident at the bridge-about how close I came, and how she was the only thing standing between me and the water below.

If she hadn’t saved me that night, if she didn’t talk some sense into my skull, I wouldn’t be standing here.

She was more than a bodyguard; she was a sister in arms.

“Mabel!” I cried out, her name escaping from my lips in a rush of pure shock.

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Chapter 179

I didn’t care about the dress or the lace. I lunged forward and threw my arms around her.

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We pulled apart, and I could feel the hot prickle of tears. Mabel reached out, her calloused thumb catching a stray drop before it could fall.

“Easy there, Princess,” she teased, that familiar, dry smirk playing on her lips. “Don’t go ruining all that expensive paint on your face. Damn! You’re still such a crybaby.”

I laughed through a sob, wiping my eyes.

“Shut up! You know how emotional I can get. What are you doing here? I thought you were on a secret assignment halfway around the world.”

She shrugged, her expression softening into something genuinely warm.

“Couldn’t miss this. Besides, I had to see if that handsome dude really won you over. You should’ve just said yes to me back in Spain-we could’ve run off together.”

We both burst into laughter, the kind of easy sound that settled the remaining nerves in my chest.

“As tempting as that sounds, I think Aaron had the upper hand. But seriously, thank you for coming. It means everything.”

Mabel squeezed my shoulder. “Wouldn’t miss it. Now go knock m dead out there.”

The moment passed quickly, and soon the coordinator was ushering everyone into position.

David stepped into the small foyer where I was waiting, and he stopped dead in his tracks, his breath hitching as he looked

at me.

His eyes welled up instantly, a single tear escaping and tracking down his cheek.

“Oh, Jess,” he whispered, his voice thick and rough. “You look… you look absolutely breathtaking.”

I felt my own throat tighten.

“David, please,” I giggled, though it came out as a shaky, watery sound.

I blinked rapidly, fanning my face with my free hand, the other clutching my bouquet tightly.

“I’m serious, Jess. You’re unreal right now.”

“Stop, or you’re going to make me a mess. You’ll make me cry right through this makeup.”

He let out a short, wet laugh and reached into his pocket, pulling out a perfectly pressed white silk handkerchief. He handed it to me with a steady hand.

“Can’t have that. Aaron would never forgive me if I brought you down the aisle with raccoon eyes.”

I took the cloth, and carefully dabbed the corners of my eyes so wouldn’t smudge Mika’s handiwork.

The fabric was soft, smelling faintly of the sandalwood cologne he always wore.

“Thank you, Jessica,” David said, his expression turning solemn and deeply sincere.

“Thank you for giving me the honor of walking you down. After everything I… after the ways our family failed you in the past, it means the world that you’d trust me with this.”

I reached out and squeezed his forearm, looking him dead in the eye.

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Chapter 179

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