Chapter 19–See You At The Wedding

Natasha’s POV

I turned to Ananya. “You haven’t said a word about your dress.” I faced the saleswoman now. “Please, I need you to get my friend a dress too. She’s my maid-of-honour. I love this dress I’m putting on. We’ll take it.”

“What about you, Patricia?” I said, adjusting my hair.

“It’s handled,” she replied.

“Okay.”

In no time, different dresses were brought in for Ananya. She scanned through them.

I’d already taken off my dress for minor adjustments.

Ananya held up a dress. “I think I like this one.” She disappeared behind the curtain to fit into it. “It fits perfectly! No adjustments needed.” Her voice carried through the room.

Adelina stood slowly. “Patricia and I will leave now. Goodbye, Natasha,” she said, pulling me into a hug. “Be good, okay?”

I nodded once. “Of course. And you too.”

“Bye Ananya, it was fun meeting you.” Patricia called, not loud, just enough for Ananya to hear. “See you soon, sister-in-law,” she said to me.

I smiled.

“Likewise, Tricia. See you at the wedding!” Ananya yelled.

I watched as Patrica draped her arms around Adelina, guiding her out.

The room went silent again.

Ananya finally stepped out. “They seem… cool,” she said, folding the dress and handing it to the saleswoman.

I gave a light shrug. “I guess so.” I pulled out my card from my purse, turning to the saleswoman. “Can I have the bill for the dresses?”

She looked surprised. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but Mr. Castillo asked to put everything on his account.”

I pulled my brows together slightly. Of course he had done that.

“I’d like to pay for the dresses myself,” I insisted. “Here, swipe my card.”

“He gave us a clear instruction not to take anything from you ma’am.” The saleswoman explained.

Why the heck would he do that?

“But—”

Ananya gripped my arms firmly. “If Tristan already asked for the bills, you don’t need to worry about it so much.”

“No!” I snapped. “He’s already doing so much for my family. This isn’t right!” I wasn’t even sure why my voice had suddenly risen. My breathing turned uneven.

Ananya pulled me aside. “Calm down, Tasha. I understand how all this is taking a toll on you, but you need to give yourself some grace. You’re also doing so much for your family right now. And if Tristan wants to pay, it doesn’t take anything away from you. Just breathe.”

I exhaled quietly. “Okay, okay.”

“Good.” She smiled at the saleswoman. “Please, pack the dresses for us. We’ll meet you shortly.”

“Very well, ma’am.” The saleswoman headed out.

Ananya patted my back gently, guiding me to the couch nearby. “Take your time, okay? When you’re feeling better, we’ll leave, yeah?”

I nodded, slowly resting my head on her shoulder. She brushed strands of hair away from my face.

After a moment, I raised my head quietly. “I think I’m fine now.”

Ananya's eyes searched mine. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

We moved through the room into the lobby.

The saleswoman was standing near the entrance. Ananya stretched out a hand for the shopping bags, but the woman insisted. “Don’t worry ma’am, I’ll help you with it.”

We stepped out, heading straight to my car across the street. I clicked on the unlock button, reaching for the back seat. The saleswoman dropped the bags there.

I reached for the driver’s seat and Ananya stopped me. “ Don’t worry, I’ll drive,” she said, turning to the saleswoman. “Thank you so much.”

“No… thank you for shopping with us,” she said. “And you, Miss Natasha, will make a beautiful bride.”

I offered a small smile that didn’t reach my lips before taking the passenger’s seat.

The ride home was silent. Neither of us said a word.

The city blurred past the windows in streaks of light. I rested my head against the glass, staring out the window without really seeing anything. Every now and then, I caught Ananya glancing at me.

We finally got home. She pulled the car into a smooth stop in the garage.

I stepped out first and the atmosphere felt… different. But it didn’t matter right now.

I entered the house, and it was busier, louder than usual. Voices overlapped from different parts of the house. Staff moved in and out carrying boxes, flowers—preparations already in motion.

Victoria yelled at a maid while giving instructions to the others. She looked even more stressed than me—the bride. Like she couldn’t wait for me to leave the house.

“Your father wasted no time,” Ananya murmured behind me.

I barely responded. I just needed to be in my room. I was already moving toward the stairs when—

“Natasha.” Victoria’s voice stopped me. “You’re back. Did you at least pick a dress you like?”

She studied my face briefly. “You know… for someone getting married in three days, you don’t look excited.”

I curled my hands into tight fists at my side.

“Hey, Victoria, now is not the time,” Ananya said carefully.

“What? Did I say anything wrong? It’s nothing to fuss about.”

“You may be right,” Ananya replied, handing over the bags to one of the maids. “But now is really not the time.”

I didn’t wait to hear her response. I climbed up the stairs as if the weight of the entire day was strapped to my back, because somehow… it was.

I pushed the door to my room open and slammed it harder than I intended to.

Ananya and the maid came in after. The maid dropped the bags on the dresser before leaving.

I sank deep into my bed.

“Nat—”

“I’m sorry, Ananya,” I cut her off softly. “I need to be alone… please.”

She hesitated for a second, but didn’t push. “Okay. I’ll check on you later.”

Without another word, she left the room, the door clicking gently behind her.

My head was pounding from exhaustion, and I couldn’t think past it.

The sleep came fast, and I drifted off.