But she pleaded with me. And how could I refuse? She said no one else could create a dress that would be as flattering for her age and figure, and she begged me to make her something straight out of a dream.
“Nobody else can do it like you, Hayley. Please make me feel like a princess in my wedding dress.”
I’m not sure why I agreed. Maybe a part of me yearned to feel connected to Adam again. Or perhaps I just couldn’t resist the curiosity that was gnawing at me.
Over the next few weeks, I threw myself into creating the dress. The fabric was like spun silk, soft and otherworldly, with delicate beading adorning the bodice. I spent countless late nights perfecting every single stitch. Lena had wanted a lacy dress that would make her feel like a princess.
“I know it might seem silly, darling,” she said. “When I married Adam’s father all those years ago, I wore a shapeless white dress that did nothing for my figure. I want to live out my dream of a perfect wedding dress now.”
Lena had given me her measurements, and to my surprise, they were exactly the same as mine.
I tried not to dwell on it. But it wasn’t entirely unexpected. During the time I was dating Adam, Lena was always at Pilates, yoga, or swimming with her friends.
The morning of the wedding finally arrived. I carefully packed the dress into a garment bag, loaded it into my car, and drove to the venue. It was a magnificent country estate, hidden away like something out of a fairytale.
If I ever got married, I could easily see myself choosing this as a venue.
The moment I pulled up, a sense of unease settled in my stomach.
Something’s not right, I thought. But I shook it off.
Clutching the garment bag, I walked inside. Soft music filled the air, and guests in elegant suits and gowns were chatting and laughing. But then I saw it.
A huge banner near the altar, shimmering softly in the light.
It displayed the names of the couple getting married.
It was Adam’s name. And mine.