The next morning dawned with an eerie stillness, broken only by the distant chirp of birds and the occasional whisper of the wind through the mansion's windows.
Two ladies from the city's most renowned bridal salon arrived, their heels clicking against the marble floor as they bustled into the room.
They were flanked by a trio of maids, they helped her into a sitting position.
The wedding makeup artists were known for their ability to transform any woman into a vision of beauty.
Evangeline stared at the mirror as the makeup artist began their work, their hands fluttering around her face like butterflies.
The cool touch of the foundation brush was almost comforting.
They painted her eyes with smoky shadows and lined her lashes with the finest kohl.
Her hair was coaxed into soft, shining waves that cascaded down her back, and the scent of their luxurious products filled the room.
The dress they had brought was a masterpiece, a confection of ivory silk and lace that seemed to have been spun by angels themselves.
The lead makeup artist, a statuesque blonde named Sophia, worked with meticulous precision, she shaped Evangeline's eyebrows and applied a base that somehow managed to make her skin look flawless.
Her assistant, a young brunette named Isabella, flitted around her, passing her brushes and palette with quiet efficiency.
The assistant asked out or curiosity "Miss, how old are you? You seem pretty young."
Evangeline looked at the assistant's reflectio on the mirror and replied "I'm 19." Which seemed to surprise the assistant lady but said nothing else.
"Turn your head to the right, Miss," Sofia murmured, her soft voice almost lost in the bustle of the room.
Evangeline complied.
The maids hovered nearby, their hands busy with the intricate lacing of the corset that would hold her in place during the long wedding ceremony.
"Your skin is so pale," Lily the assistant said with a frown, her dark eyes scanning Evangeline's face. "We'll have to add a bit of blush to give you some color." Her voice was gentle.
Sofia's gaze met hers in the mirror, her expression with professionalism. "Don't worry, Miss," she assured her. "We'll make sure you look stunning for your special day."
"Thank you," Evangeline murmured, she didn't even care about this wedding.
Sophia stepped back to admire her handiwork. "You're welcome," she said, her voice warm and genuine. "You truly are a vision."
Evangeline's eyes searched the mirror, not recognizing the woman who stared back at her.
Her cheeks were flushed with a delicate blush, and her lips were a soft shade of pink that made them look fuller.
The dark circles under her eyes had been artfully concealed.
"Miss, it's time to get dressed," Clara said, her voice gentle as she approached with the wedding gown.
Evangeline took a deep, shaky breath as she was lifted from the chair, her legs still weak.
The dress was slipped over her head with careful precision, the fabric whispering against her skin.
As the maids worked on fastening the countless buttons and laces, she felt numb.
"Miss, you look exquisite," Clara said, with a bright smile.
Evangeline looked down at her trembling hands, clutching the bouquet of white roses. She felt like a doll who had no choice but to do as he pleases.
"You look breathtaking," said Lily.
Evangeline stared back at her reflection in the mirror, the heavy wedding dress weighing on her like a funeral shroud. "Thank you," she said with no emotion.
The red veil was pinned in place, cascading down her back like a river of blood.
The makeup artists then left saying goodbye.
"Miss, the car is ready," one of the maid, who seemed in her early twenties announced.
Evangeline nodded, steeling herself. She took a tentative step forward, her legs wobbling beneath her.
"Miss, you need to lean on us," Clara said, her voice a mix of kindness and urgency. "Your legs aren't fully healed yet."
Evangeline nodded, her eyes welling up with tears of pain and humiliation.
She took a deep breath and placed her trembling arms around Clara and the young maid's shoulders, allowing them to guide her to the car.
As they approached the sleek black limousine waiting outside the mansion, Clara whispered, "Miss, are you okay?" As Evangeline stopped suddenly.
"Is... is Mr. Castellanos already at the wedding location?" she asked, her voice quivering.
"Yes, Miss," Clara replied softly, her eyes avoiding Evangeline's. "He left early to make sure everything was in place."
With a heavy heart, Evangeline allowed herself to be guided to the limousine, she was carefully lowered into the car.
The maids arranged her dress around her, tucking in the folds.
Then they closed the door of the limousine.
The seats were softer than the most luxurious pillows, and the leather was buttery smooth under her fingertips.
A bar with gleaming chrome fixtures reflected the soft, ambient light.
A bottle of champagne chilled in an ice bucket.
The limousine pulled away from the mansion's gates, and the world outside was a blur of colors and shapes through the tinted windows.
Evangeline leaned her head back against the seat, her eyes closed tightly.
The engine hummed a solemn tune,
Evangeline felt the warm trickle of a tear escaped slide down her cheek.
Her chest heaved with the effort to hold back the sobs that clawed at her throat, begging for release.
The limousine glided to a smooth stop, the world outside coming into focus as the engine's purr died down.
Evangeline felt her stomach lurch with a mix of dread and anticipation.
The grand hotel loomed before her.
The doors swung open, by the guard standing at attention, and the cool evening air whispered across her skin.
Vincente Castellanos emerged from the Hotel'sentrance, his figure tall and imposing. He was resplendent in a tailored tuxedo, the fabric a deep, midnight black that seemed to absorb the very light around him.
His white shirt was as crisp as the snow that had yet to fall that winter, and the tie was knotted with a precision.
His dark hair was styled back in a sleek, sharp wave, each strand in place as if held there by an invisible force.
His eyes, cold as the steel of his heart, locked onto hers, sending a shiver down her spine.