"This should help him want to have you immediately," Mrs. Adley said, not the least bit shy as she laid out another set of lingerie, even more revealing than the first. The delicate lace barely concealed anything, and the soft, transparent fabric left little to the imagination. "We should be having a baby in no time," she added with a wink, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Della felt her cheeks flush, heat rising to her face. She bit her lip, struggling to maintain her composure. She'd known that Mrs. Adley had strong expectations for her marriage with Hunter, but hearing her speak so openly about such intimate matters made Della's stomach twist. She forced herself to smile, knowing she needed to play along.
Mrs. Adley continued, pulling out a few more pieces and arranging them on the vanity table. "Your honeymoon is set at one of Hunter's beach houses- It's all prepared for you, darling, a perfect escape for you both." Her eyes were filled with excitement, and Della could only nod, pretending that this was the life she had always wanted.
Just as Della was about to respond, there was a gentle knock at the door. Someone peeked her head in, her expression polite and composed. "It's time to leave, Mrs. Adley. The couples are being called to the car."
Mrs. Adley's eyes lit up. "Oh, it's time! Let's get you ready, my dear. It's your moment." She gave Della's hand a reassuring squeeze before turning back to the suitcase, carefully packing the lingerie away with a satisfied smile.
Della took a deep breath, willing herself to stay composed. The night was far from over, and she knew she had to continue a little longer. With a smile, she nodded. "Yes, let's go."
It was time for them to leave. The guests had formed a line, offering their final congratulations and well-wishes as Della and Hunter prepared to depart. The air was heavy with the bittersweet emotions of the moment, and Della could feel every gaze, every whispered word of blessing as she moved through the crowd.
Mrs. Adley's eyes shone with tears, her usually bright smile trembling at the edges as she tried to keep her composure. "Oh, my dear," she murmured, pulling Della into a tight embrace. The scent of her familiar perfume filled Della's senses, and she felt her own eyes well up as she clung to Mrs. Adley's warmth. "Take care... remember, we'll always be here for you," she whispered before pressing a tender kiss to Della's cheek. Her tears dampened Della's skin, and the emotion in her voice made Della's chest tighten.
Emily's father stood beside his wife, his eyes misty as he placed a firm hand on Della's shoulder. "We are so proud of you," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "You've grown into such a beautiful, strong woman." His words were filled with pride, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes, as if he were already missing the girl he had raised. Della felt the ache in her heart deepen, and she fought to keep the tears from spilling down her own cheeks.
Nearby, Hunter's mother clung to her husband, her face buried in his shoulder as she struggled to hold back her sobs. Hunter's father rubbed her back soothingly, his own expression somber. It was a moment filled with both the joy of new beginnings and the sadness of letting go.
Della looked at the faces around her, the people who had cared for Emily and raised her, and she felt an overwhelming rush of gratitude and guilt. *If only they knew the truth,* she thought, her heart heavy with deception. As Hunter's hand found hers, she turned to him, their eyes meeting. His gaze was steady, She took a deep breath, squeezing his hand as they stepped toward the car waiting outside.
Mrs. Adley dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice breaking as she called out, "Be safe, and take care of each other." She blew a kiss, her hand trembling as she waved them off.
Della forced a smile, waving back as she slipped into the car beside Hunter. The door closed, and as the car pulled away, she caught one last glimpse of the teary-eyed faces of the family she had grown to love. Her heart ached with every mile that separated them, and she wondered how long she could bear her secret.
The car glided smoothly along the coastal highway, its headlights illuminating the winding road that stretched ahead. Outside, the moon cast a silvery glow over the restless waves crashing against the shore. The rhythmic sound of the ocean was punctuated by the occasional cry of a distant seabird, and the salty breeze swept through the open window, teasing Della's hair as she stared out into the vast, dark expanse.