“It’s fine. If you’re still tired, sleep a little longer. Let them wait. Your health is the most important thing,” Julian said gently, running his fingers through Aurora’s hair.
“Julian, I’m already awake. Let’s get up and go now. Ashy said he’d help me pick out my wedding dress today,” Aurora replied with a soft smile.
“Alright, as long as you feel up to it. I’m just worried about you,” Julian said, his tone full of care. The more tender he was, the harder it became for Aurora to even think about leaving him.
“Julian, I’m really not that weak. Other than being a little sleepy, I feel just as good as I used to. Besides, I went to bed at nine last night and slept well. I’m fully rested,” Aurora reassured him, her tone almost pleading.
“Alright then,” Julian finally conceded.
The two got up, quickly freshened up, and drove to the photo studio. This wasn’t just any studio-it was an exclusive location that the public didn’t even know existed.
Reserved by celebrities and elites, appointments often had to be made a month in advance. That Julian had managed to book it overnight spoke volumes about his capabilities.
When they arrived, Asher was already there. He was more excited about Aurora’s wedding shoot than she was, and he hadn’t been able to sleep at all that morning.
“Ashy, you’re so early,” Aurora greeted as she spotted him standing under the sunlight. His well-fitted attire and those striking blue eyes, as pure as the clear sky, made him stand out even more.
“You’re not late either. Come on, let’s pick out your dress,” Asher said with a bright smile.
Aurora held Julian’s arm as they walked in. Asher stood to her right. Seeing the trio enter-a stunning woman flanked by two strikingly different men-many onlookers couldn’t help but wonder if both men were grooms.
It wasn’t until they noticed Aurora holding Julian’s arm that they realized who the groom was. Even the studio manager greeted Julian with familiarity.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, almost three years, hasn’t it?” Julian replied with a smile.
“This must be your wife. She’s stunning,” the manager said, glancing at Aurora.
Aurora smiled shyly. “Thank you.”
Julian, on the other hand, responded with a calm but proud expression. “Of course, she is.”
“You haven’t changed a bit. And this is…?” The manager’s eyes shifted to Asher.
“This is my good friend, Asher,” Aurora introduced warmly.
Earlier, she had been curious about how Julian had managed to book the studio so quickly. Now it was clear-he and the manager were old acquaintances.
After brief introductions, they got down to business. The manager asked, “Shall we decide on the style first? Are you thinking of outdoor or indoor shoots?”
“Outdoor,” Aurora said.
“Indoor,” Julian countered.
Julian glanced at Aurora. “Outdoor shoots are exhausting. The indoor sets here are excellent, and the post-production effects are just as good. Plus, you can rest whenever you need to.”
“In terms of authenticity, outdoor shoots are unmatched. We’re only taking wedding photos once, and I want them to be perfect. I’m not as fragile as you think,” Aurora responded, understanding Julian’s concern but unwilling to compromise on her vision.
“Who said you’d only take wedding photos once? If you want, we can do this every year. Right now, your health matters most,” Julian insisted firmly, refusing to agree to outdoor shoots.
The manager, experienced in handling such situations, quickly intervened. “How about this: we shoot one or two sets outdoors and the rest indoors. That way, it’s less tiring. We can do the outdoor shoots in the morning while it’s cooler.”
Aurora nodded. “Alright, let’s do two outdoor sets.”
“Two sets won’t be too much?”
“Really, it won’t,” Aurora replied, feeling that Julian saw her as far more delicate than she actually was.
With the style decided, it was time to choose outfits. The first outfit, of course, had to be the main wedding dress.
“Mrs. Barnet, the wedding dresses are this way. Please follow me,” said one of the staff members.
“Mr. Barnet, the suits are over here. Please come with me,” another staff member directed.
Since their outfits were in separate sections, Asher followed Aurora to the wedding dress room.
Aurora had always admired wedding dresses from afar, gazing at them through window displays. Now, standing so close and choosing one for herself, the experience felt surreal.
“Mrs. Barnet, these are all new arrivals. Each one is a limited edition, personally designed by Miranda. You don’t have to worry about anyone else wearing the same dress.”
“Alright, I’d like to look around on my own first. I’ll call you when I’ve decided,” Aurora said.
“Of course. Please, take your time,” the staff member replied, leaving Aurora and Asher alone in the room.
Asher, clearly more excited than Aurora, asked, “So, Little Monster, do you prefer a fishtail train or a ballgown?”
“Either is fine,” Aurora replied, her tone calm and her mood subdued.
Asher, realizing her lack of enthusiasm, turned to see her staring blankly at a dress in the display case. Her expression wasn’t one of joy but rather of distraction, as though her mind was elsewhere.
“What’s wrong, Little Monster?” he asked, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.
Aurora had been acting strangely all day, and Asher couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Ever since Mira had brought her to that mansion, Asher had doubted that it was just to reveal some family secret. If it were that simple, why had Tina avoided acknowledging Aurora all these years?
It wasn’t the wedding photos themselves that seemed unusual but rather the urgency with which Aurora wanted to have them taken.
“It’s nothing,” Aurora said softly, snapping out of her thoughts.
“Is there something you can’t even tell me?” Asher asked, his voice laced with concern.
Aurora had spent more time with Asher than anyone else. In some ways, he understood her better than Julian did.
“Ashy, do you think if I forgot him, I could love him all over again?” Aurora’s voice was calm, but her eyes were filled with sorrow.
“Why would you say that?” Asher asked, gripping her shoulders tightly. “Little Monster, what are you planning? Did that old man threaten you?”
Unable to hold back, Aurora told Asher the truth. After listening, Asher fell silent for a moment.
“…So, you’re going to accept his proposal?”
“I want to start over. But the only thing I can’t let go of is Julian. Forgetting him feels so unfair to him.”
“If you know it’s unfair, then don’t do it! Look at me, Little Monster. You’re Aurora, the future Mrs. Barnet. The company, the family-they have nothing to do with you. You don’t have to carry other people’s burdens. Just be yourself!” Asher said, his voice filled with frustration and disbelief.
“Ashy, this is my responsibility. My mother has carried it for me all these years. You’ve seen her condition. If she suffers even one more shock, she might not wake up again.
“She gave me life, raised me, and protected me. I can’t keep running away. I need to protect her now. Can you understand that?” Aurora’s voice trembled slightly.
Asher sighed, his resistance crumbling in the face of her resolve. “Even if I said I couldn’t understand, what difference would it make? Once you’ve decided on something, you never change your mind.”