Chapter 82
Nicole became even more confused when Hayden walked out with a sketch in hand. To make matters worse, Gloria was nowhere in sight.
The scenario she had imagined never happened.
Hayden held the sketch carefully and approached her, taking one small step at a time. He stopped about 10 feet away from her and unfolded it.
A design draft of a stunning diamond–fringed wedding gown came into sight.
Gasps echoed across the room.
Nicole stared at the sketch in shock and remembered their prior conversations.
She’d once told him that it was a shame their wedding was rushed, and she never got to wear a proper
gown.
She even said that she wanted to design her wedding gown one day–something elegant with an homage
to tradition. She wanted a gown that shimmered like starlight, with tiny diamonds sparkling along the hem.
At that time, she had only mentioned it casually. Even if she liked the idea, she didn’t dwell too much on
- it. She never expected Hayden to prepare a design that looked exactly as she described it.
He then walked toward her, as if everyone else in the world had vanished, leaving just the two of them.
“I remember you once said that it was a shame you didn’t get to wear a wedding dress at our wedding.
You told me that if you could, you’d want an elegant gown like this and wear it while walking down the
aisle with me.
“I can’t build a chapel here, and the gown’s still being made, so the best I could do was show you the design first.
“Nicole, I want you to know that you’re the only one for me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
And if there’s another life after this, I want us to be together then, too.”
By the time Hayden finished, he stood before her, and his eyes were filled with deep affection.
Nicole froze completely because everything she had expected to happen simply didn’t.
She was momentarily lost as she looked into his steady and sincere gaze.
She didn’t understand why the anniversary banquet took such a turn. Why would Hayden go out of his way to show her off and prepare a wedding gown even after Gloria returned?
She had learned of a wedding gown designer contacting Hayden, but she certainly didn’t expect it to be for this surprise.
Nicole was too overwhelmed to process everything, so she stood stiff and motionless.
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Hayden let out a chuckle and gently ruffled her hair. “What’s the matter? Do you not like the design?”
Nicole took a breath and paused for two seconds before muttering, “There’s no going back now after
making such a big scene.”
She wondered how he would explain this heartfelt act when everyone else found out they were a fake
couple. And Gloria? Where did that leave her?
Hayden looked confused, and he had no idea what she meant.
Just as he was about to speak, a vehicle’s headlights flared and swept across the garden, flooding it with
light.
A certain car had rolled into the entrance, pulling to a slow stop.
Everyone instinctively turned to look.
Someone gasped in realization. “Isn’t that Mr. Spencer’s Rolls–Royce?”
The car parked at the entrance was indeed one that Hayden often drove.
Then, as if on cue, a figure stepped out of the vehicle.
Gloria wore the same red dress, her wavy hair cascading down her waist, and she held a long gift box in
her hand.
The crowd exchanged looks when they saw how she looked exactly like Nicole.
But Gloria smiled as if she didn’t notice Nicole wearing the same outfit. She strode through the parted
crowd before stopping in front of Hayden and Nicole.
She handed Hayden the gift box and congratulated them both. “Congratulations on your seventh wedding
anniversary.”
Just then, Matthew pushed through the crowd. “Mom!”
Nicole looked up reflexively and saw Matthew rush up to Gloria, throwing his arms around her.
“Mom, you’re finally here!”
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Chapter 83
