Chapter 32 His Mother...
Dahlia.
The makeup wasn't heavy. It was light, but still, it perfectly highlighted my features, accentuating my beauty in ways that made it hard to look away from, and when I smiled, two small dimples dipped on my cheeks. My lips were painted a muted rose shade that made me look effortlessly radiant.
My hair was styled in soft waves that effortlessly cascaded down my back like liquid silk, with a few strands pinned away from my face.
A slender diamond tiara crowned my head, beautiful and understated, and yet impossible to ignore.
Looking at my reflection, I almost couldn't recognise the person staring back at me. It felt like ages since last I wore makeup.
In the past, I used to love doing makeup, dressing up, and going out. But when I became Jason's girlfriend, I stopped doing all that, simply because he didn't approve of me wearing makeup. It would attract unnecessary attention, he would say.
And now, looking at my how my features were highlighted, the pink blush that painted my cheeks, I almost teared up.
I felt like myself again, like the girl that I once was before I lost myself.
Too lost, staring at my reflection, but with my mind elsewhere, I was yanked back to reality by a soft knock at the door, and even before I could respond, it was pushed open and sharp and confident clicks reverberated through the room as heels met the floor.
I expected to see my mother, or even Freya, and yet, through the mirror, I saw an unfamiliar face.
She had beautiful and serious features, her eyes sharp and pointed as they took me in.
She was probably, in her late thirties, just about the same age as my Mom.
For a good minute, she just looked at me, scrutinised me, from head to toes, with a slight frown tagging at the corners of her lips.
I felt like a product in appraisal, ready to be purchased. And I sat there, surprisingly, composed, watching her through the huge mirror.
" So, you are his bride..." After what felt like an eternity, the beautiful lady finally opened her mouth, her voice cold, almost mocking as her gaze locked on mine.
To her question, I just gave a small nod, assuming she was asking about Dalton, of course.
" You hopped from one man to another. You.. you were supposed to marry that brat today.." She revealed, looking composed, and yet, the little tremors in her voice sold her out. Inwardly, she was seething in rage. Her words, they carried a condescending hint, as if she was looking down on me, as if I was unworthy of being Dalton's bride.
Did I feel insulted? Definitely, yes! Did I feel inadequate, especially of becoming the national treasure's wife? No. Why would I? Dalton was impressive, smart, successful, and a genius, but I wasn't lacking in any way, either.
I was beautiful, smart, and way smarter than I showed, actually. In the past, I had downplayed my brilliance to preserve Jason's fragile ego. Otherwise, I wasn't less deserving of Dalton.
He and I were a perfect match. If anyone wasn't worthy of me, it was Jason.
" What makes you think, in the whole Capital, in the whole country, you are suitable of being his wife?" she asked, barely concealed mockery clipping her tone.
I didn't even flinch. I pressed on a button on the swivelling chair and turned to face her, my gaze firm and steady as it held hers.
For a brief moment, we just stared into each other, and no one wanted to back down.
" Do I need to compete with the whole world, to be his wife?" I asked, a gentle smile touching my lips as I thought about Dalton and our earlier interactions.
" He chose me. Among the sea of women vying for his attention, he chose me, singled me out, because he thought I was worth it." I whispered, my voice soft, almost feather-like. It was like I was describing the most beautiful existence, and yeah, mine and Dalton's union felt beautiful, the most beautiful, actually.
" He simply chose me, and that's what makes me special. " I added, peeling my gaze from her.
" That boy. You have loved him for years. For ten years. And the woman that he is marrying. She is just greedy for money." She went on, this time her voice softer. And at the mention of the years I had wasted on loving Jason, I clenched my fingers so hard that my nails dug through my palms.
It was a beautiful day. A special day for me. Did it really have to be ruined by some bitter stranger bringing out the past that I was running from? Trying to forget?
" He is also very greedy. If I were to offer him a generous amount and ask him to leave her and marry you instead, he would do so without a second thought. He would even spend the rest of his life being loyal to you." She added, and as her words sank in, my features darkened visibly. My earlier composure was slowly slipping away from my face.
She wanted to buy me out, from Dalton's life.
I hadn't even become his wife, and the world was threatened. What did she take me for?
" How much?" I asked, the expression on my face unreadable, and, being caught off guard by my question, she looked surprised.
" Fifty million. " She whispered, her fingers clenched, her lips pulled into a thin line. She looked unwilling. And looking at her, a smile stretched at the corners of my lips. Why did she look like I was robbing her? She'd come with the offer. I was simply assessing it. What was wrong with that?
" That's a very generous offer, " I whispered, acting like I was really reconsidering, and her face went a shade paler.
"Since you are being very accommodating, can I make a request?" I asked, now standing on my feet, adjusting my beautiful wedding gown. It was about time, after all.
" He is from the illegitimate branch of the Riggs. Getting rid of him could be a bit frictional, especially from my part."
" Can you kindly use the fifty million to get rid of him?"
" I will highly appreciate that. I will never have to lose temper every time I thought about the years I wasted on him, after all."
"His death will actually make my healing easier..." I added.
" Thank you for your kindness. I will wait for the good news.." I didn't get to finish what I was saying, though.
She walked out of the room, undisguised anger evident in how unnecessarily her heels hit the ground.
" Dahlia? Heavens! You look too beautiful!" Just then, my mom walked right in, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes as she looked at me.
" Thanks, Mom." I whispered,pulling her into a warm and tight hug.
" I just saw Dalton's mother walking out. Did you two meet?" She asked, and my brains nearly short-circuited..
" What did you two talk about?" She asked, curiously....