My Mate Gave My Dress Away. I Rejected Him

To ensure I was the center of attention at my birthday party tonight, my mother, Elena, had commissioned a one-of-a-kind gown from a top designer a year in advance. It was covered in crushed diamonds and moonstones.

But just hours before Hurley was due to pick me up, my gown still hadn't arrived at the manor.

My mother contacted the designer.

His voice was full of apology. “I arrived a while ago. But Mr. Hurley picked me up first and took me to Miss Rachel’s apartment. He said you’d already given your permission for Miss Rachel to wear the gown.”

I froze.

I knew nothing about this.

I called Hurley. His voice drifted through the phone, utterly unconcerned.

“Oh, that. Rachel’s dress got ruined, and she was crying her eyes out. We couldn’t find a replacement in time. You two are about the same size, so I just let her borrow it.”

“She’s like a little sister to me. As her future sister-in-law, you should try to be more understanding.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “So, on my birthday, you went behind my back and gave the million-dollar gown my mother had made for me to another woman?”

He was starting to sound annoyed. “It’s just a dress. Besides, I remember you have a few backups, right? Why don’t you just wear one of those tonight?”

I glanced at the clock. Three hours until the party.

I swallowed my anger and tried to explain patiently. “It’s not the same! My mother had it custom-made for me. She wanted me to be the star of the show. It means something to me!”

“Rory, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world to me, with or without that dress.”

“Alright, let’s not waste any more time on something so trivial.”

Beep, beep, beep. He hung up.

I clutched my phone, my chest constricting until I could barely breathe.

Seven years together, and in that moment, our relationship felt so fragile.

What was the point of this party anymore?

My two best friends, who had heard the whole call, just stared at each other.

Stella, my fiery friend, was the first to erupt. “What is wrong with Hurley? Doesn’t he know the birthday girl is the most important person at her own party?”

“Letting her wear a million-dollar gown your mother had made? The nerve of that girl!”

“She sounds more like his other fiancée!”

Maya, the gentle one, tugged on her sleeve. “Don’t say that. The most important thing right now is getting the gown back.”

The smile my mother had worn all day vanished. She took my hand and spoke decisively. “Rory, don’t worry. I’ll send someone to get it right now.”

“As long as we get it back in time for you to wear it, we can figure something out.”

I stared out at the darkening sky, nodding numbly.

My mind drifted back to yesterday. Hurley, who never cared about these things, had suddenly asked for the designer’s contact information. He’d even asked if a top designer’s gown was more stunning than regular couture.

I thought he was just showing how much he cared, so I’d happily bragged to him.

“Of course! It’s one-of-a-kind! You can’t get it with money alone; it’s all about connections. Just you wait. I’m going to leave every wolf in the room breathless tonight.”

What a fool I’d been. This was his plan all along—to hijack my one-of-a-kind gown for Rachel.

My mother called Rachel herself. The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.

Rachel’s sickly sweet voice came through the speaker. “Is that you, Elena? I’ve already put the gown on. It fits perfectly.”

My mother fought to control her temper, her voice as steady as she could make it. “That was custom-made for Rory’s birthday party. If you don’t send it back now, you’ll ruin the event! You should know better.”

Rachel’s voice turned whiny. “But… I felt the waist was a little loose, so I had it taken in a little. It probably won’t fit Rory anymore…”

“You—! You did this on purpose!” My mother was so furious her chest heaved. She slammed the phone down.

“She’s had the dress altered. She never planned on giving it back.”