Chapter 6 The Wedding preparations

The mansion buzzed with activity. Designers, florists, and planners moved like ants with clipboards, tape measures, and fabric swatches.

The Cole residence had become a chaotic orchestra of luxury and nerves, and in the centre of it, all stood Mira-still processing that she was about to become Mrs Nathan Cole.

She stood by the grand staircase, a pale blue folder clutched to her chest.

Inside were designs, appointment slips, and the wedding details she'd barely contributed to. Her opinion hadn't been asked for much.

"Mira, dear," came the honeyed voice of Victoria Cole.

Nathan's mother descended the stairs in heels too sharp for her age, her eyes piercing, polished like diamonds, and just as cold.

She wore elegance-like armour and walked like a woman used to commanding attention.

"Yes, ma'am?" Mira answered, quickly straightening her posture.

Victoria's lips curved into something that might have been a smile but didn't reach her eyes.

"The planners told me you wanted lilies for the bouquet?"

Mira nodded gently. "My mom loved them. They remind me of her."

Victoria chuckled, shaking her head as though Mira had just said something quaintly foolish.

"Lilies are sweet... for a backyard wedding. But for a Cole ceremony?" She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering.

"We need to elevate your tastes, darling. Simplicity doesn't translate to elegance."

Mira felt the sting beneath the soft tone. "Of course. You're right."

Nathan had barely been around, delegating most of the wedding arrangements to his assistant and, unsurprisingly, his mother.

Mira wondered if he was trying to stay detached or if he regretted agreeing to marry her at all.

"Darling, the dress fitting is in an hour," Victoria continued.

"And I asked Margot to join us. She's handled dresses for real brides before."

"Real brides?"

Victoria blinked as if caught, then quickly smiled. "You know what I mean. Society weddings. It's a different league."

Mira didn't reply. She just nodded, clutching the folder tighter.

As they drove to the bridal boutique in silence, Mira stared out the window, wondering if she belonged in any of this.

Nathan was a stranger.

His world was one she didn't understand. And Victoria made sure she never forgot it.

At the boutique, Mira stepped into a sea of white silk and ivory lace. Victoria immediately began criticizing every dress Mira picked.

"That neckline is too simple-it doesn't say 'Cole bride.'"

"That fabric wrinkles easily. Cheap."

"Dear, you're not wearing flats to the ceremony, are you? We can't have you looking shorter than the photographers' tripods."

Mira stood in front of the mirror in a dress that shimmered like starlight. She looked... different.

Not like herself. Not like her mother's daughter. Just a woman swallowed by wealth and expectation.

Victoria clapped once. "That's the one. Finally."

Mira didn't speak. Her reflection didn't argue either.

Later that evening, back in her room at the mansion, Mira sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through pictures on her phone.

One of her dads is in the hospital. One of them got together on her graduation day. Her mother's grave is surrounded by lilies.

The noise from the sitting room faded as Mira slipped away to one of the quieter guest bedrooms upstairs.

She needed a breather moment to herself. Victoria's veiled insults still echoed in her mind, her lungs tightening with every breath she took.

She sat on the edge of a neatly made bed, the golden afternoon light casting soft shadows across the floor.

She stared at the floor, trying to suppress the sting in her eyes.

The door creaked open.

Mira jolted upright.

"Relax," a calm voice said. "It's just me."

Liam Carter.

He stood at the doorway, dressed in casual slacks and a navy blue button-down.

Nathan's best and business friend and the only person in this house who seemed to acknowledge her as more than just a burden or charity case.

"I thought you might be in here," he said, stepping inside and gently closing the door behind him.

Mira managed a small smile. "I need to breathe."

"Figured." He leaned against the door, watching her for a beat. "Nathan's mom giving you a hard time?"

"She doesn't need to say much. Her eyes do the talking."

Liam chuckled softly. "Yeah. She's... an acquired taste. Took me years to figure out how to dodge her jabs."

"I don't think I'll ever figure it out." Mira looked down at her hands.

"Everything feels so overwhelming. Like I'm being dressed up and displayed like an ornament in a shop window. And deep down, I know I'm not the kind of girl they want on display."

Liam crossed the room and sat beside her. "That's not true. And even if it were... this isn't about them. This is about you and Nathan."

Mira hesitated, then looked at him. "But is it? He barely speaks to me unless it's about the contract. I know I'm not what he pictured. I'm not glamorous, or powerful, or... whatever women in his world are. I'm just someone trying to save her dad."

There was a beat of silence.

"Do you want a way out?" Liam asked gently.

Her brows lifted. "What?"

"I mean it. If you're scared, if this doesn't feel right... you don't have to do this, Mira."

She stared at him, heart pounding.

But her answer was firm.

"No. I have to. My father would do the same for me, even more. I may not be what Nathan expected, but I'm not doing this to win anyone's approval. I'm doing it because I made a decision. And I trust that God knows what He's doing."

Liam studied her quietly. "You're strong, you know that?"

She gave him a tiny smile. "Some days I have to remind myself."

A knock on the door broke the moment. One of the staff peeked in.

"Miss Lawson, Mr. Cole is asking for you. He's in his office."

Mira stood, smoothing her dress. "Duty calls."

Liam rose as well. "If you ever need someone to talk to... you've got me."

"Thank you, Liam. I mean that."

He nodded. "Now go knock some sense into Nathan."

*****

Mira stepped into Nathan's private office, the air instantly shifting around her.

It was sleek, modern space-black leather chairs, mahogany shelves, a massive glass desk at the centre, and floor-to-ceiling windows behind it that opened to a view of the city skyline.

Nathan was behind the desk, reading something on his tablet. When he heard the door close, he glanced up.

His gaze dropped to her simple beige dress, then flicked back to her face.

"You left the planning session early," he said, voice flat.

"I needed air."

"Did my mother say something inappropriate?"

Mira stepped further inside, her chin lifting. "What do you think?"

Nathan sighed and stood, placing the tablet down. "I'll speak to her."

Mira folded her arms. "Don't bother. It won't change how she sees me."

"That doesn't matter. She's not the one marrying you."

Mira blinked. Something in his tone... it wasn't warm, but it wasn't cold either. It was neutral, almost tired.

Nathan circled his desk and stood a few feet away from her. "You look drained."

"I am."

He watched her. "You still want to go through with this?"

She didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Nathan's jaw clenched, but he gave a slight nod.

"Good. The press will be attending. My assistant will go over your talking points. And the prenup will be ready by tonight."

"Talking points," Mira repeated. "This is just a business deal to you, isn't it?"

His gaze sharpened. "What did you expect?"

"I don't know." She took a breath. "Maybe something that felt a little more human. But I guess that's asking too much."

A flicker of emotion passed through Nathan's eyes. It guilt? Frustration?

"You weren't supposed to be the one I married," he said quietly. "But I admire your resolve. You're not here for a fairy tale. You're here for your father."

"Yes," she said, voice soft. "And you're here for...?"

"Control," he replied bluntly. "Stability. Nothing more."

"Then we understand each other perfectly," Mira said, lifting her chin.

But there was sadness in her voice-bittersweet and heavy.

Nathan stepped closer, his voice lower. "I expected a woman who would play the game. Who would pretend? Not someone who looked at me like I'm the villain in her story."

"I'm not pretending," she whispered. "I can't."

Another pause.

Nathan studied her face for a long moment, then turned away. "The tailor will arrive tomorrow morning. Make sure you're ready."

Just like that, the conversation ended.

But as Mira turned to leave, his voice stopped her again.

"Mira."

She turned halfway.

"I know this is hard. But... I don't want to make it harder."

It was the closest thing to warmth he'd ever offered.

And it was enough to make her chest ache.

"The wedding is tomorrow. Be your very best and don't fail me."

"Of course, I shouldn't, especially when your mother is attending the wedding."