Hannah smiled. “That was my plan. But Chandler’s mother suggested jazzing it up a bit by adding some Chinese elements. I thought it sounded like a good idea.”
If that was her decision, who was I to say no to my friend? And besides, Hannah looked good in anything. “This looks amazing on you, especially with the phoenix coronet,” I commented. After a brief pause, I leaned into her and whispered, “Actually, I think I prefer this look to the previous one.”
Hannah laughed out loud before turning to Chandler. “Let’s mix the theme of our wedding then! We’ve still got time to make changes, so let’s make it fun!”
“If we’re going to mix it up, can you go home with me tomorrow?” Chandler asked a little awkwardly.
“Are we going back to let your parents know of the changes?”
Chandler nodded shyly before continuing, “Actually, my mother had already made a Chinese-style wedding dress for you, but she doesn’t have your measurements. If we go back tomorrow, she can note down your measurements and make the necessary adjustments!”
Seeing Chandler so shy and innocent instantly melted Hannah’s heart. She couldn’t help but hug him tight. “Silly you! If I had known about this, I wouldn’t have come here to shop for wedding dresses. We can’t let your mother’s efforts go to waste!”
“My mother said to go with what you like. The dress can be her wedding gift to us.”
Hannah’s eyes were welling up with tears as she lightly hit Chandler’s chest. “If I had found out about this later, I’d have been so upset! I can’t let your mother down, especially when she’s put in so much effort to make a beautiful dress just for me.”
Looking at the happy couple, I knew they no longer needed my help. When I turned around and saw John staring in our direction, I let out a sigh again. I could only imagine how he felt at that moment, knowing that he was to blame for throwing away the best thing he ever had.
“Okay, you two lovebirds, carry on with what you’re doing. I’m going to wait outside,” I said to Hannah and Chandler, who merely exchanged glances with a smile.
Yvonne had just come out in a wedding dress and was firing questions at John. John looked bored with his hands in his pockets, replying with hardly any enthusiasm.
“Ms. Stovall, can you see if this dress suits me?” Yvonne asked when she saw me walking toward them. “I’ve tried two dresses, and John didn’t like them both. I don’t even know what I should wear now.”
“That looks pretty good!” I said, after having looked her up and down.
She thanked me even though she was a little stunned at how patronizing I sounded.
John seemed to have lost his patience when he frowned at her. “You can continue trying the dresses, but I’m leaving first. I’ve still got work to do.” After that, he turned to me and asked, “Want me to send you back?”
I shook my head, feeling appalled at how dumb he acted. He had only just told Yvonne he was busy, yet he still asked if I wanted a lift home. Could he have made it any more obvious about how impatient he was with her?
John swiftly fished his car keys out and made a beeline for the exit. Yvonne tried to stop him, but the dress was so long and heavy that she couldn’t keep up.
I decided there and then that it would be better to make things clear with Yvonne. “You don’t have to subject yourself to such embarrassment. I know you like money, so why don’t you name your price? As long as it’s reasonable, my family will give it to you. Please just stay away from John.”
I was in the same situation with Cameron many years back. She had wanted to pay me to leave Ashton so Rachel could be with him. It was ironic how I had become the person I hated the most.
Yvonne’s lips curled into a smirk, tears welling up in her eyes. “Is that what people like you think of me? That I’m only with John because of money?”
If she was trying to look for sympathy, I had none for her. After having seen Hannah at her lowest point and knowing that John had no love for Yvonne, I couldn’t bring myself to sympathize with her at all. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re with John for money or not. What matters is that you leave him. You know very well that he doesn’t love you and that he’s only using you. Marrying you was never his intention. As his sister, I shouldn’t be interfering in his affairs. But, I’m a Stovall after all, and I know that my family would never accept someone like you. We’re offering you money so you can leave with your dignity intact. You wouldn’t want this to turn ugly when the media gets wind of it.”
