When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 114

**Chapter 114**

070

Chiara stood completely still for a heartbeat, her eyes transfixed on the wedding dress hanging elegantly behind her. ‘When on earth did Titus have this custom-made?’ she mused, a sense of disbelief washing over her. The intricate lace and delicate fabric seemed to shimmer under the soft light, almost as if it were calling out to her.

“Mrs. Goodman, would you like us to assist you in getting into it?” one of the staff members inquired, breaking her reverie.

Chiara blinked, pulling her attention away from the stunning gown and nodding appreciatively. “Thank you, I’m sorry for the trouble,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Not at all, it’s our pleasure to help,” the staff member responded warmly.

It took a small team of four to help Chiara into the wedding dress. The garment wasn’t particularly heavy, but it required a careful touch to ensure it was worn perfectly. The soft rustle of fabric filled the air as they worked, each person contributing to the delicate process.

Once she was finally dressed, the room fell into a hushed silence, everyone momentarily spellbound by Chiara’s radiant beauty.

“Mrs. Goodman, you look absolutely breathtaking in that dress. It fits you like a dream,” one of the staff members exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.

“Honestly, Mrs. Goodman, you’re stunning!” another chimed in, her voice filled with genuine awe.

They gently turned Chiara around to face the mirror, and she caught sight of her reflection. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. She truly looked beautiful, a vision of grace and elegance.

Her mother had always said that every woman deserved a day like this—the most beautiful day of her life. Chiara had never had a wedding, so slipping into this wedding dress for photographs felt like her own slice of that dream, her most beautiful moment to date.

She remembered how lovely she had felt back then, but Titus had been too preoccupied to notice her beauty. The memory stung, a reminder of the emotional distance that had lingered between them.

Now, this was the second time she had donned a wedding dress. The first time, she had been the one waiting for him, filled with hope. But now, the roles had shifted; it was Titus who was patiently waiting for her.

“Mrs. Goodman, when’s your wedding with Mr. Goodman? We haven’t heard anything about Mr. Goodman tying the knot,” one of the staff members asked curiously.

“Is it a secret? Don’t worry, Mrs. Goodman, we’re very professional. Your secret is safe with us,” another added, a playful twinkle in her eye.

Chiara lowered her gaze, a small smile creeping onto her lips. “We actually got married three years ago.”

“Wait, three years ago?” one of the staff gasped, her eyes widening in surprise.

“That early? And nobody outside ever caught wind of it…” another remarked, clearly astonished.

“It seems Mr. Goodman really is super busy…” someone else quipped, shaking their head in disbelief.

Chiara couldn’t help but reflect on her own thoughts, ‘It’s not just about being busy. Sure, that’s a factor, but it shouldn’t serve as an excuse. If you genuinely care for someone, no matter how hectic life gets, you’ll always carve out time for them.’

Back then, Titus had been so consumed by his work that he barely ever came home. It had been a clear indication that he wasn’t fully invested in their marriage—or in her.

Suddenly, a saying popped into her mind: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

070

Now, she found herself comparing the Titus of today to the man he had been just two months ago. The contrast was stark, like the difference between day and night.

At that moment, a staff member knocked gently on the dressing room door and peeked inside.

“Mrs. Goodman, Mr. Goodman asked me to check if you’re ready. Can you come out soon?” she inquired.

“We’re all set. We can head out now,” Chiara replied, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves.

“Great! I’ll let him know,” the staff member said, retreating from the room.

“Mrs. Goodman, shall we make our way out? Mr. Goodman must be eagerly waiting to see you…” one of the staff said with a bright smile.

Chiara merely nodded, a shy smile gracing her lips. ‘Not exactly the blushing bride, more like the same old wife,’ she thought, a hint of self-deprecating humor surfacing in her mind.

One staff member gently took Chiara’s arm, while the others carefully lifted the train of her dress, ensuring it flowed gracefully behind her.

“Mr. Goodman, Mrs. Goodman is coming out,” one of the staff called out, her voice echoing in the quiet space.

Titus was already impeccably dressed, his hair styled to perfection, casually flipping through a magazine on the couch.

The moment he heard the announcement, he looked up in an instant.

The sight of Chiara took his breath away, leaving him momentarily speechless, utterly captivated by the vision before him.

His gaze was fixed on her, a mixture of admiration and awe reflected in his eyes; she was so stunning that he found it hard to tear his gaze away.

Chiara felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over her under his intense scrutiny. Three years ago, when she had seen him rushing toward her, she had been filled with excitement and anticipation, longing to hear him say, “You look beautiful today.”

But instead, he had simply looked her over, his eyes appraising her, before reaching out his hand.

Despite the silence, she felt a warmth in her heart. Yet when their hands finally met, he had said, “I only have ten minutes. Is that enough?”

Her heart had plummeted at his words, and after a brief moment of hesitation, she forced a smile and nodded. “That’s enough.”

‘What else could I have said?’ Chiara pondered internally.

070

Chiara felt an awkwardness settle between them as their eyes locked, especially since she wasn’t accustomed to Titus looking at her in such a way. She tilted her head slightly, attempting to avoid his piercing gaze.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify