Chapter 256:

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Narrator’s POV

ONE YEAR LATER

The wedding preparations were in full swing, and Sydney rushed into the dressing room like a whirlwind. Her eyes immediately found Grace, standing resplendent in the center of the room, dressed in her wedding gown.

“Grace!” Sydney exclaimed, her initial frown melting into a beaming smile as she took in the breathtaking sight before her.

Grace turned away from the mirror, surrounded by a swarm of cloth fitters, each pinning and adjusting the folds of her wedding dress. The many layers of ivory satin and lace flowed around her like a gown from a fairy tale.

Grace had designed the dress herself because she wanted something that was the very best: an epitome of elegance and sophistication. Indeed, it was a masterpiece, with six seamstresses and fitters carefully tending to every detail on her body.

𝘛𝗵𝗲 𝘣𝖾ѕ𝘁 r𝘦а𝘥𝗂ng е𝗑𝘱еr𝗂en𝖼𝖾 𝗼𝘯 𝗀𝖺𝗅nо𝘷el𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝘮

A few hairstylists hovered around her head, working through the strands, twisting and curling every lock they could get their hands on.

“Oh my gosh, you look stunning!” Sydney exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she stepped closer and clapped a hand over her heart to show how awed and grateful she felt to finally see Grace in the dress she’d dreamed of.

Grace blushed proudly, unable to contain her excitement. She did a little dance where she stood.

“I know, right?” she giggled. Her joy was truly infectious.

Sydney let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head in amusement. “Yeah, back to work,” she said, turning her attention elsewhere. “The makeup artist just reached out. She says she’s held up in traffic.”

A groan escaped Grace’s lips as she rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Goodness, not today…” she lamented, her shoulders sagging slightly.

Sydney saw the disappointment on her friend’s face, and God knows she understood better than anyone how much all of this meant to Grace. She wanted to suggest finding an alternative artist since they didn’t have much time before the church wedding. But she also knew how much Grace had been looking forward to having this particular makeup artist work her magic on her wedding day.

“Where’s my phone?” Sydney asked, glancing around the cluttered dressing room.

Grace turned her head. “Check that bag over there,” she said, nodding toward a large tote bag in the corner.

Following Grace’s direction, Sydney located the bag and rummaged through its contents until her fingers brushed against her phone.

“Yeah, thanks,” she murmured, pulling it out. “I’ll be back in a bit,” she added before stepping out into the hallway.

Grace’s expression softened into a warm smile, her shoulders visibly relaxing. “Okay,” she replied.

Once a few paces away from the dressing room door, Sydney put the phone to her ear.

“Mark, it’s me.”

“Yeah, I know it’s you,” Mark replied with a chuckle and his usual sarcasm.

Sydney rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Um, I need a quick favor. And before you ask, no, it’s nothing too crazy this time.”

“Which is?” Mark prodded curiously. “I’m already on my way to the venue.”

“I need a helicopter,” Sydney blurted out.

There was a beat of silence before Mark spoke again. “A helicopter? Are you planning a grand entrance or just trying to upstage the bride?”

“Quit the jokes. Grace’s makeup artist is stuck in traffic somewhere on Canbury Lane. We need to get her out of there, like, yesterday. It’s really important for Grace. I don’t want her to panic on her big day.”

Mark’s laughter faded, replaced by a dramatic sigh.

“Is there a way you can prep this… for me?” Sydney asked, emphasizing the last words and hoping Mark would grasp the urgency.

“Ugh, fine,” Mark groaned, feigning exasperation. “But you owe me big time. Like, a lifetime supply of free babysitting from Damon.”

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