The next day, Vanya and Catherine, Nolan's mother, set out to shop for the wedding dress. As they arrived at the boutique, Vanya was greeted by the friendly sales associate, who showed them to the wedding dress section.
Catherine was beaming with excitement as she began to browse through the racks of dresses. "Oh, Vanya, look at this one! It's perfect for you!"
Vanya smiled politely as she examined the dress. It was a beautiful, lace-covered gown with a delicate train. But Vanya's heart wasn't in it. She didn't want to marry Nolan, and she certainly didn't want to wear a wedding dress that would symbolize her union with him.
But Catherine was undeterred. She continued to pull out dress after dress, each one more beautiful than the last. Vanya tried on several of them, but none of them felt quite right.
Just when Vanya was about to give up, Catherine pulled out one final dress. It was an elegant, strapless gown made of silk and lace. The moment Vanya put it on, she knew it was the one.
Catherine gasped in delight as Vanya emerged from the dressing room. "Oh, Vanya, you look absolutely stunning!" she exclaimed.
Vanya couldn't help but smile as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. The dress was indeed beautiful, and it made her feel like a princess.
But as she looked at Catherine, Vanya's smile faltered. She knew that Catherine was only doing this because she wanted to see her son happy. But Vanya also knew that Nolan didn't want to marry her, and that their union was doomed from the start.
....
The day of the wedding had finally arrived, and Vanya was sitting in the dressing room, surrounded by her stepmother, Victoria, and stepsister, Elena. The makeup artist was busy applying the final touches to Vanya's face, while Victoria and Elena chatted and laughed, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
Vanya, on the other hand, looked stunning. The wedding dress, which Catherine had helped her choose, was a perfect fit, accentuating her curves and making her look like a goddess. Her hair, which had been styled by a professional, flowed gracefully down her back, framing her face and highlighting her delicate features.
As the makeup artist finished her job, Victoria and Elena stepped forward, admiring Vanya's reflection in the mirror. But their admiration was laced with cruelty, and Vanya could sense the malice behind their words.
"You look absolutely beautiful, Vanya," Victoria said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "I'm so happy for you. You're finally going to be part of a respectable family."
Elena snorted, her eyes rolling with disdain. "Yes, you're really lucky to have snagged Nolan Carter," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "I mean, who wouldn't want to marry a crippled, arrogant rich boy?"
Vanya's eyes flashed with anger, but she didn't respond. She knew that Victoria and Elena were just trying to get a rise out of her, and she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction.
Meanwhile, James, Vanya's father, was happily receiving guests and bragging about his daughter's upcoming nuptials.
"My daughter is marrying into one of the most prestigious families in the country," he boasted to anyone who would listen. "She's going to be set for life, and I couldn't be prouder of her."
As the guests began to arrive, the atmosphere in the dressing room grew more tense. Vanya's nerves were starting to get the better of her, and she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Nolan.
Would they be happy together, or would their marriage be a disaster? Only time would tell.
Victoria and Elena, sensing Vanya's unease, began to taunt her even more. "Oh, Vanya, are you getting cold feet?" Victoria asked, her voice dripping with malice. "Don't worry, dear, Nolan will take good care of you. He'll make sure you're well provided for, even if you are just a trophy wife."
Elena snorted, her eyes rolling with disdain. "Yes, because that's all you're good for, Vanya. You're just a pretty face, a trophy to be won. Nolan doesn't care about you, he just wants to possess you."
She rolled her eyes, stood up, her eyes locked on the mirror. She took a deep breath, smoothing out her dress and adjusting her veil. She was ready to face whatever lay ahead, even if it meant marrying a man she didn't love.