Chapter 17

Luna stood in the middle of a lavish dressing studio, surrounded by an array of wedding dresses.

The room was filled with soft lighting, mirrors reflecting every angle, and elegant designs draped on mannequins. Her mother, Mrs. Solace, busily fluttered around, inspecting each dress with a critical eye.

Luna was trying on a particularly ornate gown, the tight fit making it difficult to move comfortably. She looked at herself in the mirror, feeling more like a doll than a bride.

"How about this one?" her mother asked, adjusting the fabric and stepping back to scrutinize the dress.

Luna rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Why don't you just pick the dress, Mother? Since you're doing everything else," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Mrs. Solace's expression hardened. "Watch your attitude, young lady," she snapped. She walked over to Luna, patting her stomach through the tightly fitting dress. "And watch what you're eating. You're gaining weight."

Luna's jaw clenched, her teeth grinding together as she held back a retort. She looked away, her cheeks burning with a mixture of anger and humiliation.

"Stand up straight," her mother ordered, stepping back to examine the dress again. "This wedding is the most important event of your life. You need to look perfect."

Luna forced herself to comply, standing up straighter and lifting her chin. She stared at her reflection, trying to ignore the sting of her mother's words. The dress was beautiful, but it felt like a cage, tightening around her with every passing second.

"Better," Mrs. Solace said with a nod, oblivious to Luna's inner turmoil. "Now, let's try the next one."

Luna grit her teeth, determined to get through the fitting without another outburst. She stepped down from the pedestal, her movements stiff and awkward in the tight dress.

As she changed into the next gown, she couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, not just by the dress, but by the expectations and pressures surrounding her impending marriage.

The next dress was even tighter, and Luna struggled to pull it on. Her mother watched with a critical eye, ready to pounce on any perceived flaw. Luna took a deep breath, bracing herself for whatever came next, determined to maintain her composure.