SEVEN

CHAPTER 7

Tatiana walked away, leaving the people behind her. Her entire body was trembling the moment she closed the door. The tightness she had been holding at the back of her throat finally felt like a pile of trapped air that was finally allowed to escape. She gripped the side of her knee-length dress, taking in as much air as she could before looking straight ahead.

The people in front of her were dressed in the same colors, black and white. Everything looked neat and professional. Then, one of the women who had been politely smiling at Tatiana since earlier approached her and said,

“The dress for your wedding day has been prepared inside, Miss Kensington.”

Tatiana nodded, and the woman gave her space to enter another room. Everyone there looked unfamiliar to Tatiana, so she already knew…

They had to be Moreira’s people.

A room that was usually only used for guests had now been transformed into a private room for Tatiana. A white dress with an off-shoulder design and a long veil was displayed on a mannequin in the center of the room. Pearls and diamonds surrounding it gave the dress an expensive aura.

Tatiana stepped closer, staring at the gown in admiration. She smiled, but then tears slowly fell down her cheeks.

She quickly put on the dress and stood in front of the mirror like a statue.

The upper part of the gown was designed with delicate lace details, carefully hand-sewn to create an elegant pattern along her shoulders and chest. Small crystals scattered across the fabric caught the light from the room, creating a soft sparkle like falling stars on white cloth.

The bottom part of the dress flowed beautifully, with layers of silk fabric so smooth that it looked like water moving.

No one could deny that the dress was a masterpiece. A dress that was probably the dream of many women.

But Tatiana only stood there with an empty feeling in her chest. This was only a uniform for a contract. A final sacrifice she had to make for a family that had never truly chosen her.

“It’s beautiful, Miss Kensington. Isn’t it?”

The woman’s voice behind her made Tatiana realize her thoughts had drifted away. The woman who had been helping her smiled softly while looking at Tatiana’s reflection in the mirror.

“This dress was made especially for the Moreira family’s brides,” the woman continued. “Many people would wait for months just to get the chance to wear something like this.”

Tatiana stared at her own reflection. A woman wearing an expensive white gown. A woman who looked like she was about to receive her happily ever after. But her eyes said something completely different.

“Funny,” she whispered softly.

The woman looked slightly surprised. “Sorry?”

Tatiana touched the fabric near her waist.

“People always think something beautiful must bring happiness.” Her smile was small, but filled with sadness. “But sometimes, the most beautiful things are actually just reminders that we don’t have what we truly want.”

The woman said nothing. She stayed silent because she did not know what she could say.

Meanwhile, Tatiana looked back at herself in the mirror with no excitement in her eyes.

“Miss Kensington, please allow me to put on your veil.”

Tatiana slowly nodded. The woman took the long veil made of transparent fabric with tiny embroidered details along the edges. Carefully, she placed it over Tatiana’s head and secured it gently.

The moment the white fabric touched her hair, Tatiana’s breath caught.

For a moment, she felt like she was back to being a little girl sitting on her mother’s lap. Hearing Arabella’s voice telling her that one day she would become an extraordinary woman.

But the memory only lasted for a few seconds. Because reality came crashing back. Her mother was gone. Her family had abandoned her.

And now, she was going to marry a man who did not even know he was about to become her husband.

Another tear fell.

This time, it hurt even more.

“Miss Kensington…”

Tatiana quickly wiped her cheek.

“I’m fine.” Her voice trembled slightly. She gave the woman a small smile. “Let’s just continue.”

Before the woman could say anything, the door suddenly opened.

“Wow!”

A voice Tatiana knew very well immediately made her body stiffen.

“Well… I have to admit, Tatiana.” Tatiana slowly turned around.

Oktavia stood at the doorway with a small smile on her face.

“I almost forgot you could actually look beautiful.”

Some people in the room immediately lowered their heads. They knew who that woman was. They knew the relationship between Oktavia and Tatiana.

But no one dared to interfere.

Tatiana only stared at her coldly. “What the hell are you doing here, Oktavia?”

Oktavia slowly walked inside, her eyes scanning the dress Tatiana was wearing from top to bottom.

“Giving you my congratulations.” She smiled. “After all, not everyone gets the chance to wear a dress this expensive.”

Tatiana said nothing.

Oktavia stepped closer. “You look beautiful.” She stopped a few steps away from Tatiana. “Too bad…”

Oktavia tilted her head. “…you have to marry and sleep with a corpse.”

Several people in the room immediately looked uncomfortable.

Tatiana clenched her fists. “Stop.”

But Oktavia did not stop. She let out a small laugh. “I’m just saying the truth. Rafael Moreira can’t even see you, can’t touch you, can’t even tell whether he likes this dress or not.” Oktavia leaned closer. “Maybe you should try harder.”

Tatiana looked at her sharply. “What do you mean?”

Oktavia smiled mockingly. “I mean…” She looked at Tatiana’s dress. “Maybe you should find a way to make your husband… turn on.”

Tatiana immediately turned away. “Enough, Oktavia!"

Oktavia only smiled. Then she raised her hand slightly. A simple gesture. But it was enough to make the Moreira people in the room immediately leave. Tatiana watched them walk away.

Suddenly, the room became much quieter.

Oktavia walked closer. “Finally.” She stopped right in front of Tatiana. “We can talk without people pretending they actually care about you.”

Tatiana did not step back.

“You’re still the same.”

“What?”

“Still pretending to be strong.”

Before Tatiana could respond, Oktavia pushed her shoulder. Intimidating her the way she always did. “Don’t touch me.”

Oktavia stepped closer. Her voice turned into a whisper. “You should have left the Kensington family a long time ago.”

Tatiana held her breath. “You don’t have any place in this fucking house, Tatiana.” Oktavia stared directly into her eyes. “You’re not your father’s favorite daughter. You’re not the sister Ethan and Dylan chose. And now things are even worse.”

Every word from Oktavia felt like a knife.

But Tatiana stayed standing.

She did not cry or step back.

She took a breath and looked at Oktavia seriously.

“Are you done?”

Oktavia was slightly stunned.

Tatiana looked straight at her. “I don’t need a place in the Kensington family anymore.” Tatiana smiled faintly. “That place has been dead for a long time.”

For a moment, Oktavia lost her smile. But before she could respond, another voice was heard.

“What is going on here?”

Both of them immediately turned around and saw a figure standing at the door with a shocked expression.