Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
The dining room was a study in refined elegance, its long oak table adorned with an intricate cascade of ivory roses and the soft flicker of candlelight. The chandelier above bathed the room in a warm, golden glow, but for Nadine, the atmosphere felt stifling, as if the air itself carried the weight of expectations.
Her parents sat across from her, their postures as poised as the setting, but Nadine's gaze drifted to the empty seats beside them. Her grandparents' absence left a hollow void in the already formal space. Off on another cruise, they were sailing across blue horizons with laughter and lightheartedness—a sharp contrast to the suffocating decorum that surrounded her now.
Her father's voice broke the silence, measured and deliberate. "So, Nadine, how are the wedding preparations coming along?"
The words hung heavy in the air, turning the rhythmic clink of silverware into white noise. Nadine set her fork down carefully, buying herself a moment. She'd anticipated this conversation but still wasn't ready for the tension it would bring.
Her mother, ever the opportunist, seized control of the topic. "I've taken care of most of it, of course. The decorators are on schedule, and the ballroom at the Four Seasons is being transformed as we speak. Nothing less than perfection will do. Noah's mother agrees with the direction, naturally."
The pride in her tone was unmistakable, but to Nadine, it felt suffocating. Each mention of grandeur pulled her further from the modest, intimate gathering she had once envisioned—a dream now drowned in layers of extravagance.
She forced a polite smile. "You're doing a wonderful job, Mom. I trust you to handle it."
Her father leaned back, folding his hands. "Are you sure that's what you want?"
Her stomach tightened. She didn't lift her eyes from the floral pattern etched into her plate. "It's easier this way. Mom knows what she's doing."
"Easier doesn't mean right, Nadine." His tone sharpened ever so slightly, but the undercurrent of care remained. "This is your wedding—your life. You only get one chance to do it your way."
Her mother placed her napkin on the table, her posture stiffening. "She's being pragmatic. Nadine has a lot on her plate right now, and it's better this way. Besides, she's always been more hands-off with these kinds of things."
The conversation dropped after that, tension settling over the room like an unwelcome guest. Nadine's appetite vanished as her parents continued their meal.
Later, she escaped to her grandmother's greenhouse, a sanctuary of warmth and life nestled away from the rigidity of her world. The air here carried the earthy scent of soil, mingling with the faint sweetness of orchids. She trailed her fingers along the vibrant petals as she moved to the wooden bench in the center, sinking into it with a sigh.
The chaos of her thoughts dulled slightly in the serenity of the space, but it was far from silenced. The weight of her family's expectations, the looming wedding to a man she barely knew, and the demands of her business swirled in her mind like a storm she couldn't outrun.
Her father's voice startled her from her reverie. "I called your name twice before coming in," he said gently, stepping into the greenhouse.
Nadine blinked, sitting up straighter as he approached. "Sorry, I was... lost in thought."
He took a seat across from her, the faintest smile curving his lips. "That much is obvious. What's weighing on you?"
She hesitated, her fingers tracing the edge of a fern leaf. "The wedding. Maybe I should look for a new planner. Mom fired the last one."
He chuckled softly. "That sounds about right. But do you really need a new planner, or do you need to decide what you want?"
Her shoulders sagged. "It's easier to just let her handle it. I don't have the energy to argue."
"Nadine," he said gently, his expression softening. "You've always been strong, even when you didn't realize it. I remember when we took you to that wedding in America when you were ten. You hated it. Do you remember why?"
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Because no one seemed happy. It felt more like a business meeting than a wedding."
"Exactly," he said, leaning forward slightly. "You've always known how things should feel, not just how they should look. That's a gift. Don't let anyone—your mother, me, or anyone else—take that away from you."
Her voice wavered. "What if I don't know what I want? What if I'm not ready?"
Her father paused, studying her intently. "It's okay to feel that way. Marriage is a leap of faith, and it's natural to have doubts. But," he added with a knowing smile, "I think Noah might be the one person who can surprise you."
She frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"Because I see how he looks at you," he said simply. "And I see how you look at him, even if you don't realize it yet."
His words lingered in her mind as he left, leaving her alone with the quiet hum of the greenhouse.
---
Later that night, Nadine lay in bed, her phone buzzing softly on the nightstand. She reached for it, her brows lifting at the name that appeared on the screen.
**Noah:** *Hey, are you free for lunch tomorrow? Thought we could grab something before the fitting session.*
Her lips twitched into the faintest smile. For reasons she couldn't name, the casual normalcy of his message made her chest feel lighter.
**Nadine:** *Lunch sounds good. Any ideas where?*
The reply came quickly.
**Noah:** *That little bistro near the park. I heard they make great pasta.*
Her smile grew. It was an unexpected choice—simple, cozy, nothing like the extravagant settings she associated with him.
**Nadine:** *Sounds perfect. What time?*
**Noah:** *Noon. I'll pick you up.*
Setting her phone down, Nadine sank into her pillows. For the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to think that maybe, just maybe, there was more to Noah than she had realized.
And perhaps, there was still a chance for her to reclaim this journey as her own.