Page 120 of Beautiful Chances

Cutting off Christine, I turn my back on her and say, “You, nothing. Don’t make me repeat myself.” I know I have to be smarter about this, so I throw Lila an apologetic look before adding, “If I want her to make a fool of herself by trying to zip me up, then that’s none of your business, is it?” I hate that my words literally make Lila flinch. I can’t risk giving her any assurance. All I can do is hope she knows I only added the last part to keep up pretenses.

I decide then and there that once all this is over with, I will find a way to help Lila. I don’t know how or if I can, but I’ll go down trying.

As it turns out, Lila could help me into the dress. Although it wasn’t easy, despite how simple the dress is, it’s done. I look at myself in the mirror, hating that this is exactly the kind of dress I would have picked myself. It’s off-white with a plunging neckline and mermaid hem, and since it’s backless, I’m not wearing a bra.

Because of how low it is in the front, Luis demanded I don’t wear my bandage beneath and—much to my shame—I have to show off my brand. This makes the entire look somewhat macabre since the skin is still angry looking, barely healed thanks to the bandage keeping oxygen away, so my skin hasn’t been able to repair itself.

Unable to look at myself any longer, I bend down and put the shoes on. As much as I hate to admit it, these shoes are a work of art. The off-white peep-toe pumps with an ankle strap with a single pearl hanging from each strap are by far the most beautiful part of the outfit, but no one else will see them since the dress reaches the floor.

“Who cares? Snap out of it,” I hiss under my breath as I fasten the second shoe.

The closer we get to the time I have to walk down the aisle, the stiffer Lila becomes. She’s no longer trying to small talk, hell, she’s barely looking at me. Her shoulders have stiffened, and she looks… Determined, I think.

“It’s time,” Lila says, still not looking at me. She walks over to the door and holds it open for me, gesturing for me to exit before her. On the other side of the door, we’re greeted by a big and burly security guard.

“Luis didn’t think you wanted your dad to walk you down the aisle, so I’m here to do it,” he says as he holds out his arm for me to take.

I feel numb as I place my hand in the crook of his arm, not quite able to believe this moment has come. Didn’t Lila say Kas, Coen, and Alec are coming for me?

Where the hell are they?

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