Chapter 7

Irina walked away toward her bedroom, leaving Lilian and Aaron alone.

Seeing Aaron’s face no longer brought her heartbreak. It only made her feel sick—with disgust born not from lingering pain, but from memories of every cruelty and every moment of neglect she had endured because of him in her previous life.

I was never worth anything in your eyes, Aaron, Irina thought calmly as she climbed the stairs.

A few hours later, the boutique staff arrived to deliver the luxurious wedding gown that had been ordered earlier.

Once the mannequin, elegantly dressed in the beautiful gown, had been placed in her bedroom, Irina gave the maid a cold instruction.

“Take all of this to Lilian’s room, including the jewelry box on the table.”

The next morning, Irina stood before the large mirror, gazing at her reflection.

She was not wearing the diamond-encrusted wedding gown from the boutique.

Nor was she wearing the dress Lilian had chosen.

After leaving the boutique two days earlier, Irina had opened the chest containing her late mother’s belongings and taken out the wedding gown her mother had worn twenty-five years ago.

Landon had been stunned, his eyes misting with emotion when he saw the dress brought out again.

Irina had merely smiled and asked the staff to have it professionally cleaned and slightly altered to fit her.

And now, the precious gown steeped in family history draped elegantly around her figure.

Mommy, I hope this dress carries your blessing and guides me toward a life where I can finally be truly happy, Irina prayed silently.

Two luxurious wedding cars were already parked in the courtyard of the Crawford residence.

In her previous life, Lilian had never shown up, sending everyone into a panic until they discovered a letter stating that she had run away because she was afraid of Elijah.

But in this life, Lilian walked out with her chin held high.

She was wearing Irina’s elegant wedding gown and the gemstone necklace Rebecca had given her.

The staff couldn’t stop praising Lilian’s beauty, while Irina merely watched from a distance with a faint smile on her lips.

“Uncle,” Lilian greeted sweetly as she approached Landon.

“You look so beautiful, sweetheart… Just like your mother,” Landon said emotionally. “Today, both of my daughters are getting married. I truly hope you’ll both live happy lives.”

Landon embraced Lilian affectionately, treating her as though she were his own daughter, before pulling Irina into the same loving embrace.

Before getting into their respective wedding cars, Lilian approached Irina and whispered triumphantly, “I hope your marriage to that monster lasts a lifetime, Sis.”

Irina didn’t respond.

Behind her veil, she merely smiled slyly.

The luxurious cars came to a stop in front of the five-star hotel where the wedding was being held.

Irina had actually wanted a private wedding, but Lilian had insisted on a grand outdoor celebration.

Elijah had never cared enough to argue about the details, while Aaron—as always—simply agreed to whatever Lilian wanted.

And so, the two bridal couples from the Wellington and Crawford families would hold their wedding ceremony and reception together in the hotel’s backyard, with a breathtaking view of the beach as their backdrop.

Irina and Lilian were placed in separate waiting rooms.

While Irina was waiting alone, Aaron suddenly walked in.

“What are you doing here?” Irina asked softly, her voice cold.

“Lilian, I’m sorry,” Aaron said, gazing at the bride in the wedding gown that had once belonged to Irina’s mother. “I couldn’t help you escape this marriage. But, just as I promised, I’ll protect you once we’re at the Wellington residence.”

Irina gave him a faint smile.

For a moment, she forgot that the dresses—and the brides—had been switched.

She had assumed Aaron had somehow realized the exchange, especially since the updated documents had already been sent to the Wellington residence.

Yet, right up until this very moment, the man still had absolutely no idea that the woman standing before him wasn’t Lilian.

She was Irina—the very woman whose wedding gown he had just been discussing moments ago.

“Thank you, Aaron. I hope that someday we can forget everything that happened in the past and embrace the future with open hearts,” Irina said sincerely.

At least, that was the future she wished for herself.

Irina drew a deep breath as the wedding organizers entered and ushered Aaron out.

Irina and Lilian walked side by side toward the altar.

With every step, Irina could hear the guests whispering about the wedding gowns and the brides themselves.

But she chose to ignore them.

“I hope you don’t regret this, Sis,” Lilian whispered again, her voice low enough that only Irina could hear.

“No. I’m actually wishing happiness for both of you.” Irina turned her head slightly and smiled behind her veil. “I hope you both get everything you want in this life.”

With that, Irina reached out and accepted Elijah’s hand first, since he was the elder of the two brothers.

“Are you sure about all of this?”

Elijah Wellington’s deep, resonant voice made Irina look up.

This was the first time they had ever stood so close to each other.

Somehow, Irina felt an unfamiliar flutter in her chest when Elijah’s firm fingers closed around her hand, which was covered by a delicate lace glove.

“Yes. I’m absolutely certain,” Irina replied firmly.

On the other side of the altar, the priest began reciting the sacred vows.

“Do you, Elijah Wellington, take Irina Crawford to be your wife…”

The sentence abruptly came to a halt.

Aaron’s eyes widened in shock as he stared sharply between the bride standing to his left and the priest, convinced that the priest had simply read the wrong bride’s name.