The Dress

The ride to the wedding shop was wrapped in cold silence.

Rosita sat with her arms folded, her face turned toward the window, refusing to spare Sebastian a glance. She didn’t want to speak to him. She didn’t want to hear his voice, not after everything. And if he noticed the distance she was putting between them, he didn’t say a word. He simply sat beside her, relaxed, unbothered as usual. Or maybe he was plotting his next move—either way, she didn’t care.

When the car finally slowed to a stop, Rosita blinked in surprise.

In front of her stood what looked like the entrance to a royal palace. Towering glass walls shimmered under the afternoon sun, gold handles gleamed like treasure, and the soft scent of fresh white roses floated through the air. A golden plaque hung proudly at the top of the double doors, spelling out the name of one of the most exclusive wedding boutiques in the city.

Rosita stepped out of the car slowly, her lips parted slightly in awe. She tried not to show too much, but her eyes widened despite her effort to stay indifferent.

Inside, the boutique was a dream. Rows of luxurious wedding gowns lined the walls—some satin, some lace, others glittering with hand-stitched diamonds and pearls. Soft lighting made every inch of the room feel ethereal. The veils floated like clouds. Every mannequin looked like a queen about to be crowned.

Sebastian watched her silently, a subtle smile curling at the edge of his lips. He saw the way her expression shifted, even if she tried to hide it. That flicker of awe on her face was everything. He had brought her here on purpose. To surprise her. To see her smile—even if only for a moment.

And he saw it.

A small, fleeting curve of her lips that she tried to bite back.

She was trying so hard to be angry, to stay distant. But he saw right through her. And for a second, it satisfied something deep in his chest.

Rosita’s attention snapped back when a woman in her late forties, graceful and well-dressed, walked over to greet them.

“Mr. Sebastian,” the woman said warmly, bowing her head slightly.

“Get her the best gowns you have,” Sebastian instructed. “Especially the one with diamonds across the skin. Make sure she looks like the queen she is.”

Rosita rolled her eyes at his words but didn’t argue. Of course, he wanted to dress her like a doll. This wasn’t about her happiness—this was about control. About appearances. Still, the mention of diamonds piqued her curiosity, even if she didn’t show it.

The woman gestured politely. “This way, miss.”

Without sparing Sebastian another look, Rosita turned and followed the woman deeper into the boutique, disappearing behind a velvet curtain.

Sebastian took a seat on one of the plush chairs and pulled out his phone. He answered a call, speaking in hushed tones, but his attention wasn’t on the conversation. Not really. His mind wandered. To her. To how she looked the moment she stepped in—like a child seeing magic for the first time. To the way she tried not to smile.

He hung up, pocketing the phone.

Then he looked up.

And time stopped.

There she was.

Rosita stepped out from behind the curtain, wearing a gown that made the world go quiet. It was breathtaking. The diamonds across the bodice sparkled with every movement she made, catching the light like stars trapped in silk. The gown hugged her gently before flowing out in soft layers, cascading like a waterfall of crystals. Her shoulders were bare, the skin of her collarbone glowing under the soft light, and a sheer veil trailed behind her like mist.

Sebastian stood. Slowly. His mouth parted slightly. For the first time in a long time, he was stunned.

Jaw dropped. Heart unsteady.

He had seen her angry. Sad. Even amused. But this—this was something else entirely. She looked like a dream. No, she was a dream. And for a second, he forgot about everything—the power plays, the cold war between them, the lies, the arrangement.

She was just… her. And she was his.

Rosita met his gaze, her expression unreadable. But there was a flicker of something in her eyes. Pride. Pain. Maybe both.

She tilted her head slightly and said, with cool confidence, “I guess you like it.”

Sebastian swallowed hard, his gaze still locked on her. “Like it?” he muttered under his breath, almost too low for her to hear. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

But she didn’t smile.

She only turned away, letting the woman guide her to the mirror.

And he watched her. Speechless. Awed. Knowing in that moment that no matter how much she fought him, no matter how much she hated him right now… he was never going to let her go.

Not ever.