Chapter 9

Claire had followed Selena back to the house after she dropped her off. She wanted to put things in order, especially after what had happened at the café.

Back in high school, Claire had allowed a lot of things to happen to Katie because she was desperate to fit in with people who didn't understand her. Katie had always told her she wasn't hurt because they were sisters and she understood that Claire had only wanted to make friends. Unfortunately, those friends had turned out to be terrible people, and Claire had eventually dropped them when they started behaving strangely.

But today, Claire had realised that forgiveness wasn't always as simple as she had believed.

She had cried but hadn't called Katie. She wanted to apologise and talk to her sister, yet she couldn't help thinking about how selfish she'd been.

A knock sounded at her door. Since she was standing nearby, she opened it immediately.

"Why are you here?" Selena asked, not even bothering to step inside before posing the question.

"At least come in first, please."

Claire gently pulled Selena into the room by the hand and led her to the bed.

"Start talking."

Selena didn't hesitate. She was happy to see Claire again, but there was still a lot she needed to explain.

Claire didn't want to say anything, but she knew she had to.

"It started during our time in high school."

Selena stared at her in shock.

"I wasn't jealous of Katie or anything like that. She just always got the nice things, and I wanted to share them with her. But somehow, I started feeling entitled to them and ended up taking everything instead."

She sighed sadly.

"Then I thought being the older sister gave me the right to everything she had. Dad would insult her because I'd lie and tell him she'd done something when I was the one responsible."

Tears streamed down her face.

"I asked her about it once, and I apologised so many times when we were in college. She always said it was fine, but I was a fool to think someone could easily get over that kind of hurt."

Selena pulled her into a tight hug. She could tell Claire was genuinely sorry.

"What you did was wrong, and I can't pretend it's all in the past. It might be over for us, but for Katie, it's still happening. You should have told me instead of letting me find out this way."

"I know, and I'm sorry. But right now, I just want my sister and best friend back."

Claire cried harder as memories flooded her mind.

There had been the time Katie got herself a boyfriend, only for Claire to steal him. He turned out to be a jerk, but that didn't erase what Claire had done. There had also been the times Katie performed well in her exams, only for Claire to switch their papers. And when their mother couldn't find her expensive jewellery, Katie had taken the blame after Claire hid it in her room.

As Claire recounted everything, Selena could hardly believe what she was hearing. How could someone treat her own sister that way?

Claire continued apologising, but Selena gently pulled away.

"You know who you need to apologise to, right? It's not me."

With that, Selena left the room.

The following morning, Selena went to take Claire some brunch. When she entered the guest room, she found Katie there with her sister.

Neither of them said anything to her. Selena simply dropped off the food and left.

"When did Katie arrive?" she asked one of the maids on duty.

"About an hour ago, ma'am."

The maid returned to her duties, leaving Selena to head towards Brandon and Louisa's room.

She had learned the previous evening that the wedding would take place during the first week of the following month. She was surprisingly fine with the arrangement and wanted to check on the preparations.

She found Lucian in his parents' room, snuggled between them on their bed.

Selena blinked.

Since when did he enjoy cuddling with his parents? He had never struck her as someone who liked being affectionate with them. Or had she simply never noticed?

She shrugged and approached them.

"We're surprised too," Brandon announced, raising both hands in surrender.

Selena burst out laughing and climbed onto the bed, settling between Lucian and his father.

She loved parental affection, too.

Lucian shot her a sideways glance, clearly unimpressed by her sudden appearance. Selena ignored him and joined Brandon in teasing him.

Before long, their bickering turned into a pillow fight.

Louisa laughed as she tried to stop them, but that only made things worse. For a while, the four of them forgot about the wedding and simply enjoyed themselves.

Eventually, they settled down and began discussing the arrangements. They talked about the venue, the guest list, the wedding colours, the decorations, the bridal party, and the suits for the groom and groomsmen. Louisa and Selena also agreed to visit a bridal boutique that evening to choose her wedding dress.

When the discussion ended, Louisa asked Selena to step outside with her.

"Are you all right, dear?" she asked gently.

Selena knew what she meant. Louisa was aware that Katie was in the house, and she hadn't missed how quiet Selena had been since the previous day.

"Honestly, no. But I will be."

Louisa nodded.

"Then handle the situation like an adult. Give yourself time to heal, but don't let hurt make your decisions for you."

Selena nodded before returning to her room to get ready.

It was Saturday, so she didn't have work, but she still had wedding arrangements to attend to.

She had barely taken a few steps when she stopped.

"Where's Noah?"

She immediately went to the guest room where Claire had been staying, but neither of her friends was there.

"Madam Cayenne, have my friends gone out?" she asked the maid she had spoken to earlier.

"No, ma'am."

Selena shrugged. If they considered her a friend, they could have told her where they were going.

She returned to her room, pushed open the door, and stopped dead.

Both sisters were sitting on her bed, chatting as though nothing had happened.

The audacity!

"What is the meaning of this?"

She was happy to see them. Truly, she was. But they didn't need to know that.

The sisters exchanged glances, and Claire nodded at Katie before standing up and approaching Selena.

"I'm sorry," Claire began, taking Selena's hands. "I'm sorry about what I said yesterday. I shouldn't have said—"

"Yes, you shouldn't have," Selena interrupted.

Her expression softened, but the hurt in her voice was unmistakable.

"Everyone here knows I lost my parents. Even the staff knows. But out of everybody, I never expected you to say something like that to my face."

"I'm really, really sorry. I wasn't trying to hurt you. I was upset because you kept asking about Noah's father, and—"

"Where's Noah?" Selena interrupted again, suddenly remembering why she'd gone looking for them.

Katie burst out laughing.

"You've interrupted me twice just to ask about that brat?"

"Don't you dare call my nephew a brat! You're the brat."

Selena folded her arms across her chest, looking like a child throwing a tantrum.

Katie laughed and pulled her into a hug.

"He's with Madam Cayenne. They've been inseparable since the first day he arrived."

Selena smiled. Noah had always been such an affectionate little boy, and knowing he was comfortable with the head maid warmed her heart.

She hugged Katie back briefly before pulling away.

"I still haven't forgiven you completely, you know. You hurt me, baby girl, and you know it."

Katie's smile faded.

"Is the identity of Noah's father so important to you that you're willing to fight your friends over it?"

Katie shook her head vigorously.

"No! Never. You two come first in my life, and you always will."

She sat beside Selena, who joined her.

"I'm really sorry, okay? I never meant to hurt you. The moment those words left my mouth, I regretted them. That's why I walked away. I was angry, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

Selena studied her for a moment, pretending to consider the apology.

Then she sighed.

"I forgave you a long time ago, but I appreciate the apology. Just don't ever say that shit again. Don't even think it."

Katie immediately stood at attention and saluted.

"Aye, aye, Captain!"

Selena burst out laughing and pulled her into another hug.

By evening, the women of the household had gathered at a bridal boutique to find Selena's wedding dress.

She tried on several gowns, but none of them seemed quite right. Just when they were beginning to consider other options, the manager brought out a dress that had been purchased by another client.

She suggested that Selena try it on, and the moment Selena stepped out in the gown, everyone fell silent.

The dress was an ethereal masterpiece woven from starlight and spun ice, cascading down the steps like a shimmering river of frost-dusted tulle. A high, intricate lace collar dripped with fine pearl strands across her shoulders, leading down to a sharply sculpted sweetheart corset that caught every beam of light with a million subtle sequins.

The skirt swept outward from her waist into a breathtaking, cloud-like ballgown silhouette, pooling around her in dramatic, luminous waves. It was a gown fit for royalty, made for grand entrances and unforgettable moments.

"We'll take this!" Louisa and the sisters declared in unison.

The manager smiled apologetically.

"I'm delighted that you love it, but unfortunately, this gown has already been purchased by another client. I only brought it out for Selena to try because I thought it might help us determine the style she prefers. However, if you'd like something similar, we can arrange to have this design recreated in her measurements and completed before the wedding."

They understood and immediately made the necessary arrangements.

Louisa, however, was already thinking ahead.

The dress was far too beautiful for only a hundred guests to witness, and she had no intention of letting such a gown go unnoticed. She began making changes to the wedding arrangements, revisiting the venue, adjusting the schedule, and expanding the guest list.

The girls laughed at her enthusiasm as they left the boutique and headed to their next destination.