บท 37: Chapter 37 Trying on the Wedding Dress

"Maddie!" Gregg called out, shooting a frosty glance at Alicia before running after his daughter. The small garden returned to its peaceful state.

Alicia reached out and silently hugged Louis, her heart in turmoil and a lump forming in her throat. She buried her face in his chest, unable to hold back her tears any longer. At that moment, she felt reluctant to leave him and didn't want to divorce him. She clung to his waist tightly, feeling utterly helpless.

Feeling the dampness on his shirt, Louis pinched her delicate chin and asked, "Are you crying?"

Alicia didn't respond, her eyes red as she pressed her face back against his shirt.

"Don't cry anymore, or your eyes will puff up," he said gently, trying to comfort her patiently.

"Why are you so good to me?" Alicia asked.

Louis raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his lips. "Just a few words, and you think I'm good? You're so easily satisfied, sweetheart."

"Why are you so good to me? Answer that." Alicia repeated, ignoring his teasing.

Louis's eyes softened as he stroked her head, "It's a wild world, and you don't have other guys to protect you. So I feel like I should."

Alicia's heart ached. The better he treated her, the worse she felt. She asked softly, "Is it worth it?"

What she wanted to ask was, "Is it worth offending your business partner, your future father-in-law, and your childhood sweetheart just for me?"

Louis understood her underlying question, and he pressed her closer to him, "From a business perspective, it's not worth it. But if I didn't do it, my conscience would hurt."

Alicia said nothing, only hugging him tighter, wishing they could become one. That overwhelming sense of helplessness washed over her again, trapping her in its depths.

She thought, "Madelyn was right about one thing--she's just better at choosing her birth, so she has been winning since day one!"

Back at the museum, Haley immediately grilled Alicia upon seeing her, asking, "My brother told me that handsome guy's name is Louis, the second son of the Martinez family.And… He's your cousin?"

For a moment, Alicia wanted to tell her that he was her husband whom she was about to divorce. But she wasn't the type to share everything with everyone she met. Even if she did, given Haley's personality, she would undoubtedly pry for every detail. It wasn't something to be proud of, so she didn't want to make a fuss.

After a moment of silence, Alicia gave a noncommittal hum and walked listlessly into the restoration room. She sat quietly in a corner, watching a group of experts from across the country argue over whether to use some modern method for repairing the hole in the painting.

Alicia felt overwhelmed by the noise and wished she could just step in, fix the painting, and leave. With the time they spent arguing, she could have already repaired the hole.

By the afternoon, the experts dispersed to their hotel for dinner and drinks, and Alicia left.

As she stepped outside, Alicia received a call from Louis, saying, "My mom wants to see us. My car's parked in front of the museum. Head over."

Once in the car, Alicia asked, "Have you been at the museum all day?"

Louis started the engine, "No, I arrived an hour ago. The director had a donation event that just finished."

They reached Paige's bridal shop, situated in the heart of a bustling downtown shopping center. The entire ten-story building belonged to her and was extravagantly decorated.

Paige was undeniably a formidable woman.

Alicia and Louis took the elevator to her office. As soon as they entered, Paige greeted them warmly and took Alicia's hand, guiding her to the computer. She pointed at the designs on the screen, saying, "I created three wedding dresses for you. Have a look and tell me which one you like best."

Alicia was slightly taken aback, her heart feeling a sharp pinch. She glanced at Louis and said with a smile to Paige, "I won't need them anymore. Louis and I are about to get divorced."

Paige hesitated, her eyes filled with sadness. "I know, but I still want to give you a wedding dress as a gift, no matter who you marry in the future."

Alicia felt both touched and sorrowful, her heart aching as if being scratched. She forced a smile and replied, "Thank you, Paige, but really, I don't need it."

Alicia had a dedicated personality. It was difficult for her to fall in love, but once she did, it was hard to end it and move on. Remarriage seemed like a long shot.

Paige's expression grew slightly unhappy, "Even if you divorce Louis and can't be my daughter-in-law, I'll always treat you like my own daughter. I've already designed these, staying up late for several nights. I'd be so disappointed if you don't want them."

Tears welled up in Alicia's eyes. Unable to refuse Paige, she sat down beside her and carefully chose a dress. She liked simple and elegant styles, so she picked a white, slim-fitting gown with a long train, the fabric as light and white as a cloud.

Paige picked up the mouse and asked, "Are you sure you want this one?"

"Yes, thank you."

"In that case, I'll have someone come and measure your size shortly. Once that's done, I'll have someone make the pattern tomorrow. Crafting a wedding dress takes time," said Paige as she called her assistant.

Alicia looked around the office. It also served as Paige's design studio, spacious and bright, with many beautiful wedding dresses displayed on mannequins against the wall.

People's love for wedding dresses was innate, and Alicia couldn't help but walk over.

The impact of the real dresses was much greater than that of the designs. Alicia thought they were all so beautiful, and she couldn't help but touch the silky fabric. She imagined herself in a wedding dress, a smile forming at the corners of her mouth, but her heart ached a little.

Three years ago, when she married Louis, he couldn't stand on his legs, and they didn't have a wedding ceremony. There was always a lingering sense of regret in her heart.

Paige glanced up to see Alicia daydreaming at the wedding gown and chuckled, "If you like it, go ahead and try it on. Whichever one you want, it's on me."

Alicia's spirits instantly lifted, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Really? I can try it on?"

"Absolutely," Paige replied softly, her eyes filled with affection as if looking at her own daughter.

Just then, her assistant entered, removed the wedding gown from the display mannequin, and accompanied Alicia to the fitting room.

Getting into the gown was a bit of a hassle, but the assistant helped Alicia. About ten minutes later, Alicia emerged, graceful as a swan.

The pristine, form-fitting gown accentuated her slender waist and elegant figure. Her delicate, fair face was perfectly balanced, with big, watery eyes, cherry-red lips, and a refined nose. The backless design revealed her beautiful spine and shoulder blades.

Looking in the mirror, Alicia marveled at her beauty. "It's true; wedding gowns are the most gorgeous attire," she thought.

Louis, long legs crossed, lounged casually on a sofa, watching from a distance. His expression was neutral, but there was a spark of admiration in his eyes.

Paige walked over and helped Alicia straighten the gown's hem, praising her, "You have a slender waist, long legs, a swan-like neck, fair skin, and great poise. You looks even more stunning than a celebrity in this gown. Why don't you become a model for me?"

Louis smirked, "Alicia makes good money restoring antique paintings, remember? How much would you pay her for modeling? Seems like a waste of her talent."

Alicia blushed, recalling how she had bragged about her income and offered to support Louis not long ago.

Paige rolled her eyes at Louis, "Exactly, she is talented and beautiful and kind-hearted, yet someone here has poor judgment and insisted on a divorce."

"It's not his fault," Alicia said softly.

Paige smirked, "Don't defend him. His father may share some blame, but he's the one most responsible."

Alicia was deeply touched. Most mothers-in-law would side with their sons, but Paige was on her side.

After trying on the gown, the assistant helped Alicia with the train as they returned to the fitting room.

Paige fetched a glass of water and sat down next to Louis. After a moment of silence, she spoke with a hint of sadness, "You clearly love her, so why not find a way to keep her?"

Louis, lost in thought, sipped his coffee and absentmindedly replied, "My father disapproves. If she stayed, she'd only be mistreated."

"Your father may disagree, but with your abilities, you could live well without him. People need to prioritize love; material things are secondary. When you're my age, you'll understand that money, power, fame, and fortune are all secondary. Love is what matters most. Once you miss someone, the regret can last a lifetime." Paige's gaze grew distant, her thoughts drifting to times long past, and she sighed softly.

Louis's eyes darkened, and after a long pause, he said, "It's her decision, and I respect it."

Deep down, however, Louis knew the real reason: Alicia loved someone else, and she didn't love him. He didn't want to trap her by his side, forcing her to suffer nightmares every night, calling out for her Chuck Hanson in her dreams.

He loved her, so he had to set her free.