The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 93

Before the sun had even fully risen, the Lehman Estate was already operating at breakneck speed, humming with a frantic, electrified tension.

A brand-new crimson carpet had been rolled out, stretching all the way from the front gates to the main doors.

Vans plastered with elite luxury wedding planners' logos darted in and out, while staff in tailored uniforms swarmed every corner, making their final adjustments.

In the massive kitchens, a three-Michelin-star culinary team flown in straight from France was prepping for the spectacular midday banquet.

Security guards in sharp black suits and white gloves stood stone-faced at every entrance, wanding down every single arrival with metal detectors.

Annelise woke up precisely at 5:00 AM.

She didn't ask anyone for help. She simply walked into the bathroom alone.

The hot water cascaded over her, washing away the lingering exhaustion from her sleepless night.

From her closet, she pulled out the dress she had selected days ago—a sleek, deep navy-blue silk gown.

It wasn't as somber and heavy as black, nor was it as aggressively flashy as red.

It wasn't a color meant for an extra in the background, but it certainly wasn't the color of the star attraction, either.

It was simply Annelise.

Sitting at her vanity, she applied minimal makeup, using just enough concealer to hide the faint, bluish shadows beneath her eyes.

Then, she pulled her long, raven-dark hair back into a sleek, effortless low ponytail at the nape of her neck.

The woman staring back in the mirror had a calm face and crystal-clear eyes, betraying absolutely no emotion.

She looked like someone marching toward a beautiful execution—or perhaps, a total rebirth.

"I'd heard the second Mrs. Lehman studied floral design before, but I had no idea she was this gifted."

"Right? This level of taste and execution... even the top event planners in Cresthaven couldn't pull this off. What a tragic waste..."

What was a waste went completely unsaid.

It was a tragedy that a woman with such extraordinary talent was completely barren, ultimately reduced to personally decorating a wedding for her own husband and his "sister-in-law."

Annelise stood a few feet away, listening to the chorus of fake pity and backhanded compliments, maintaining a flawless, humble smile.

"You're too kind, ladies. I just threw a few things together to show my support for Elias and Clarissa."

She smiled warmly, gracefully absorbing their condescending stares and faux sympathy. Inside, her heart remained as dead and still as a stagnant pool of water.