After her bath, the makeup stylists who had been booked were ushered into her room. They moved around her with practiced ease, one working on her hair, another carefully applying her makeup.
Aria sat still the entire time, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror. Her face remained devoid of emotion, like a lifeless doll.
One of the male stylists noticed her unusual silence. He tried to lighten the mood with a few jokes, his tone playful and warm.
But Aria only let out a soft, hollow chuckle, one that didn't reach her eyes. Her expression remained unchanged.
When they were done, she was helped into her wedding gown.
Even then, she thought it looked just as ugly as before
When Aria stepped out of her room and descended the stairs, the maids trailing behind her, the entire Dawson family turned to look at her.
They froze.
Awe filled the room.
She looked breathtaking, far more beautiful than anyone had expected. Even the gown, which should have diminished her beauty, somehow failed to do so.
Only Tiffany and her mother wore expressions of disdain, their eyes narrowing as jealousy flickered across their faces.
Mr. Dawson walked toward her and gently took her hand as she reached the last step. His eyes softened, filled with pride and something deeper, something almost nostalgic.
She looked so much like her mother.
"You look beautiful," he said quietly.
"Can we leave now?" Vanessa cut in with a frown. "She's already wasted enough time with her makeup."
They left in separate cars.
Noah insisted on staying with Aria. No matter what anyone said, he refused to leave her side.
Throughout the ride, he clung to her, holding onto her hand as if afraid she might disappear.
When they arrived at the court registry, Old Man Sterling and Butler Ian were already waiting outside, surrounded by a line of bodyguards.
The scene immediately drew attention.
People gathered at a distance, whispering among themselves, wondering what kind of elite wedding was taking place.
Both families exchanged greetings.
Aria stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Old Man Sterling. He smiled at her kindly.
But her eyes kept wandering.
She still hadn't seen Adrian Sterling.
A flicker of unease passed through her.
Old Man Sterling noticed immediately.
"Adrian will be here soon," he said reassuringly. "He got caught up in a bit of traffic."
In truth, he knew better.
Adrian would come, but try to show his resistance by coming late.
Just then, the low roar of engines filled the air.
Four black SUVs pulled up in perfect formation.
Everyone's attention snapped toward the scene.
Butler Ian and Old Man Sterling exchanged a look.
Old Man Sterling groaned softly.
He knew exactly what this meant.
The driver of the second SUV stepped out and walked to the back door. He opened it with careful precision.
A man stepped out.
He was dressed casually, in a simple shirt and jeans, but nothing about him felt ordinary.
The sunlight hit his golden-rimmed glasses, casting a faint glow that made him look almost unreal… like a god descending to earth.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Some women stared openly, their eyes filled with admiration. A few brides even forgot themselves, momentarily abandoning their grooms as they watched him.
Jealousy quickly followed, as several men pulled their partners closer.
Aria found herself staring too.
For a brief moment, she forgot everything.
He was… stunning.
Then suddenly, his gaze locked onto hers.
And he started walking toward her.
Her breath hitched.
She didn't look away.
She couldn't.
Before she knew it, he was standing right in front of her.
Too close.
His presence was overwhelming, an invisible pressure that made her chest tighten.
Aria swallowed hard, her heart pounding.
She was pulled back to reality by Old Man Sterling's voice.
"Adrian, you're finally here."
The relief in his tone was noticeable
Adrian.
The name echoed in her mind.
This man… is Adrian?
She screamed internally.
Behind her, the rest of the Dawson family
stood frozen in shock.