"What are you two whispering about?"
Noticing them huddled by the door, Mrs. White waved them over.
"Coming, Mom!" Damaris pulled Nathalie's hand away, yelled her response, and shot Nathalie a quick wink before dragging her deeper into the store.
The boutique was dazzling. Exquisite gowns of every style were displayed in glass cases, a brilliant array of silk and lace that was almost overwhelming.
Nathalie browsed the selection quietly, her expression calm.
"Nathalie," Mrs. White asked, "what kind of dress did you wear for your wedding?"
Nathalie's long lashes fluttered as she lowered her gaze. "Lance sketched the design for my dress himself."
Mrs. White beamed at the revelation. "Really? Lance must love you so much. I'm sure he poured his heart into your wedding."
Standing off to the side, Damaris scoffed and muttered, "What does it matter how much he cared when he still let some homewrecker steal his attention?"
Mrs. White frowned, turning to her. "What are you mumbling about now?"
"Nothing," Damaris deflected. "I just said we should pick whatever. I only have to wear it for one day, so there's no need to be picky."
"Absolutely not! How many times does a woman get married in her life? The wedding is incredibly important. It's supposed to be your most beautiful day, so you have to wear the most stunning dress possible." Mrs. White stood her ground, then let out a heavy sigh. "It's just a shame everything is so rushed. Otherwise, I would have designed a dress for you myself. You would have looked breathtaking."
Damaris glanced lazily around the room and pointed at a strapless mermaid gown. "How about that one? It looks fine."
Mrs. White studied it critically. "It is beautiful. It will definitely accentuate your figure." She turned to Nathalie. "What do you think?"
Nathalie offered a soft smile. "As long as Damaris loves it."
Damaris put on her sweetest smile. "Hi, Octavia."
Octavia smiled back warmly. "Hello. You have wonderful taste. That gown will look gorgeous on you."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted to Nathalie.
The last time she had seen this beautiful girl was before her marriage to Lance. Seeing her now, the transformation was jarring. She was still just as stunning, but an unmistakable aura of quiet composure clung to her. There was a distant, guarded coldness in her eyes, a far cry from the vibrant, lively girl she used to be.
It seemed the past few years had taken a heavy toll on her.
With the dress decided, Bagot went to pay. Mrs. White smiled and said, "You're shooting the wedding photos this afternoon, so I'll leave you kids to it. It'll be more relaxing without me hovering."
She turned to Damaris. "Be good, make sure the pictures turn out beautifully, and send me a few, understand?"

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