Chapter 3 Wedding Day

Time slipped away, and the wedding day loomed ever closer.

After the engagement, Ellie and Theo plunged headfirst into a whirlwind of romance-dinners under candlelight, long drives through the city, and an extravagant Valentine's celebration.

Meanwhile, Gracie hadn't heard from Brayden since that last, measured conversation in his study. She'd buried herself in research instead, finding solace in the quiet hum of her laboratory.

After several rounds of negotiation, the two families agreed to host both weddings on the same day-a grand double ceremony designed to dazzle society.

The night before the wedding, a pristine white gown and a box of glittering accessories arrived at Gracie's door, all carefully prepared and sent by Brayden's assistant.

As promised, Brayden maintained the façade in public, presenting her with all the poise and reverence her title demanded.

"Ms. Sullivan," Charlie Willis, the assistant, said with a respectful nod. "This is a bespoke haute couture gown Mr. Brayden Stanley commissioned three months ago. And these are rare blue diamonds, handcrafted by a master jeweler from a centuries-old atelier and personally selected by him."

The gown shimmered under the light, the necklace catching glimmers like captured starlight.

Gracie merely curved her lips into a serene smile. "Thank you," she said softly, her tone calm, unshaken by the grandeur before her.

Brayden's earnestness couldn't be denied. As long as she upheld their agreement, she figured, he would keep his end of the bargain.

Once Charlie left, Gracie turned back and found Ellie lingering in the living room.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Ellie said with a faint edge of envy glinting in her eyes. "Marrying Brayden definitely puts you above the rest."

Recalling all that Ellie had done in her previous life, Gracie saw no point in engaging with someone so small-minded. Her voice remained calm and cool. "You and Theo seem to get along well. I doubt he'll cut corners. Every detail of the gown and accessories must be selected with thoughtful precision."

In their previous life, Theo had hidden behind a flawless façade, revealing his true nature only three months after their marriage. Before that wedding, the gown and jewelry he'd arranged for her, while modest compared to what Brayden had given her in this life, were still of respectable quality.

Even so, Gracie's calm remark cut deep into Ellie's pride.

Theo had reasoned that since both weddings were to be held on the same day-and Brayden was the family heir-it wouldn't be proper for theirs to appear more extravagant.

Though Ellie's gown and accessories were elegant enough, beside Gracie's dazzling ensemble, they seemed dull and inferior.

"Feeling proud of yourself, are you?" Ellie curled her lips into a spiteful smile, her eyes gleaming darkly. "Don't get too cozy."

In their previous life, she had destroyed Brayden, leaving him scarred and crippled.

Now, she convinced herself that with Theo's love, she could lift him to the position of heir.

Gracie gave only a mild nod, unwilling to waste another word, and brushed past Ellie with quiet grace.

At four in the morning, the makeup team showed up. Gracie and Ellie were assigned to separate rooms to get ready.

Having spent the entire night absorbed in her research, Gracie had barely caught an hour of sleep. Even as the stylist unpacked her brushes and palettes, her own thoughts lingered on a single line of data looping in her mind.

"That's strange," the makeup artist muttered, frowning as she twisted open a tube. "This lipstick looks off. Could it be expired?"

"Doubtful," the assistant stammered, her tone edged with unease. "I think it's just how it is. We're running out of time-let's use a different shade for her instead."

The makeup artist, unconcerned, reached for another tube and leaned closer to Gracie's lips.

"Hold on," Gracie interjected, lifting a hand to stop her. "Let me take a look at that lipstick first."

Her gaze shifted toward the assistant, and for a split second, she caught the flicker of panic flashing across her face.

The makeup artist passed the lipstick to Gracie. "It does look odd, but maybe that's just how this brand is. Good thing we've got a few backups."

The assistant added quickly, "Right, we'll save this one in case we need to touch up during the ceremony."

Gracie lowered her eyes, uncapped the lipstick, and studied the smooth surface. She lifted it closer, inhaled lightly, and a faint smile ghosted across her lips.

The scent gave it away-it contained peanut powder. And she was allergic to peanuts.

No one but Ellie would be this malicious. Gracie couldn't imagine anyone else going to such lengths.

Ellie had always favored such petty tricks, even in their previous life.

Gracie's lips curved in a knowing smile as she handed the lipstick back, then beckoned the makeup artist closer with a single, elegant gesture.

Bending slightly, the artist listened while Gracie murmured something under her breath.

The assistant hovered uneasily, straining to catch their words but hearing nothing.

A moment later, the makeup artist's face changed subtly, and she nodded with quiet resolve. "Got it."

When the final touches of makeup were done, the bridesmaids entered the room in a flurry of satin and perfume.

Gracie had only one-Jessie Holt, her lifelong best friend and partner in mischief.

Jessie leaned close, her eyes gleaming as she whispered, "Everything's set, just like you wanted. But seriously, how did you guess Lia would pull that stunt? Are you sure she's even coming to the wedding?"

Brayden's heart had always belonged to Lia Douglas. In their previous life, Ellie had gone after Lia time and again, desperate to claim Brayden for herself. In the end, she'd even joined forces with his enemy to orchestrate a trap that left him grievously injured-his once-sharp features scarred, his powerful frame bound to a wheelchair.

Lia, the woman he had nearly died protecting, stayed by his side for three months. But when she saw he could no longer serve her ambitions, she walked away without looking back.

"I can't say for certain," Gracie murmured, her lips curving into a serene smile. "But it never hurts to be prepared."

In their previous life, Lia had barged into the wedding and turned the crowd's sympathy against Ellie.

Jessie gave a thoughtful nod. "You're right. Even if your marriage to Brayden is just a contract and you're not coming between them, Lia might still take it personally. Better to stay alert."

Gracie had confided in Jessie for a reason-because in that other lifetime, Jessie had died protecting her from Theo's rage.

Gracie had made up her mind-this time, she wouldn't let anything happen to her friend.

Soon, the brides and grooms made their way to the grand ceremony hall.

At the entrance, the four of them paused-Gracie and Brayden standing at the forefront, poised and elegant, while Ellie and Theo followed just a step behind.

When the doors finally swung open, a wave of applause burst forth, echoing through the glittering venue like a tide of celebration.

With effortless charm, Brayden offered his hand, and Gracie took it, the two stepping inside in quiet sync.

To the guests, they seemed every bit the elegant, harmonious couple.

Ellie followed a short distance behind.

Just before walking out, she dabbed on a final layer of lipstick, checked her reflection, and looped her arm through Theo's with a confident smile.

Yet the moment the spotlight hit her, the air went eerily quiet, the festive buzz collapsing into stunned silence.

A sudden throb of unease rippled through Ellie. Heat flared along her lips, then crept across her cheeks in a spreading burn.

Her pulse quickened as she turned toward Theo. "What's happening? Is there something wrong with my face?"

Theo's brows drew together, his voice steady but edged with concern. "Relax. It looks like a mild allergic reaction. I'll have someone bring ointment right away."

Ellie froze, disbelief flickering across her face. An allergic reaction? That couldn't be right. The suffering was meant for Gracie all along, not her!

A sharp glint of malice lit her eyes as realization struck. Gracie had clearly meddled with it! That deceitful woman-when had she learned to turn the tables so ruthlessly?