Page 111 of When Forever Falls Apart

And the day has finally come.

Eva steps back, a glimmer of unshed tears pooling in her eyes, but she carefully blinks to hold them back.

“Don’t cry, you’ll ruin your mascara,” I say with a smile.

“How can I not cry?” Eva’s voice trembles. “You’re marrying my brother.”

“Yes, and you married my brother just a few months ago. Exactly what did you say to me on the day?” I ask, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“Don’t cry, you’ll ruin your mascara.” She chuckles, lightening the mood. “You looked like a raccoon on crack.”

“Thank God for Photoshop. I did look like a raccoon on crack.” My shoulders ease at the laughter spreading through me. “Still, it was worth every tear.”

“But now, just look at you,” she murmurs, her gaze sweeping over me. “I don’t know what the universe was thinking when it decided to place you and Elliot on the same path, but damn it did well.”

“I think,” I begin, my voice practically dancing with excitement, “the universe was reading smut books and was like,Hey, best friend’s older brother is the hottest trope right now. Who can I set up?”

Eva and I laugh, the joyful sounds weaving together, like two best friends who know they are the luckiest girls in the world.

I turn to catch my reflection in the brass mirror, drinking in the sight before me. The dress I chose features off-the-shoulder sleeves and a semi-sheer bodice. The seamstress only made minor adjustments, which kept the integrity of the dress.

The subtle corset enhances my breasts, giving them a gentle lift that Elliot will definitely enjoy. It turns out he wasn’t so much an ass man. He loves it all, and who am I to tease him, since the man is insatiable in the bedroom, the kitchen, and the shower, too.

The intricate French-patterned lace continues down in a mermaid finish, hugging my figure perfectly.

With my makeup simple and my hair left loose in waves since I’ve grown it out past my shoulders, the tiara brings the whole ensemble to life.

Simple, elegant, and everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

“Maddy, sweetheart,” Mom calls gently while standing behind me. I slowly turn to greet her, quick to admire the simple, mint-green dress she wears. Ever since things ended with my father and she left her old life behind, she has been on a journey of finding herself. The dress is simple, but it accentuates just how beautiful my mother is without all the designer labels. “I have something for you.”

She extends her hand, passing me a red velvet jewelry box. With bated breath, I slowly open it, revealing a delicategold necklace adorned with a dainty, pear-shaped diamond. I lift the necklace, besotted by the beautiful piece as my heart swells with gratitude.

“Mom, it’s perfect,” I murmur, handing her the necklace so she can fasten it around my neck.

The moment it’s securely clipped in place, Mom glances at my reflection in the mirror.

In so many ways, we look alike—the shade of our hair and the shape of our noses. Yet I lean more toward my father’s genetics, and Aston is all Mom.

“I was gifted this necklace on my wedding day, and now it belongs to you. My perfect girl.” Mom beams with pride.

I nod, trying to hold back my emotions, but offer a relaxed smile to ease back into my calm state. “I don’t know about perfect. This is my second wedding, technically.”

Mom’s shoulders fall with a short laugh, the tension lifting. “You do know how to cause a scene. I remember when you were four and you wandered off at Bloomingdale’s. We were all scared out of our minds looking for you, then Aston found you in the luggage department. You were trying to squeeze yourself into a suitcase because you really wanted to go to Disneyland.”

“Sounds like something I would do,” I chuckle. I was too young to remember it now, but I love Mom for sharing the memory nevertheless.

“You were always trying to run away,” she teases.

“I swear I won’t bail, Mom. I love Elliot and can’t wait to marry him,” I tell her, a grin spreading across my face as I count down the minutes. “Did I tell you we’ve also added Australia to our honeymoon? Elliot has a friend who is opening a restaurant in Sydney, so the timing worked out perfectly. I might meet Hugh Jackman and send him your way.”

“I won’t complain.” Mom chuckles, patting my shoulder. “If you run into Liam Hemsworth, don’t hold back either.”

I angle my face with a smirk tugging at my lips. “You cougar. Just don’t tell Aston, he’ll freak if his new stepdaddy is the same age as him.”

“Please, and you know who will have to deal with his tantrums,” Eva objects lightheartedly.

We all laugh, our moment together exactly how I envisioned it would be on my wedding day.