Chapter 191 Autumn’s POV

Chapter 191 Autumn’s POV
A MONTH LATER

Jared took me to their family's estate to stay for the preparation of the wedding. The room glistened by the warm glow of tho bedside lamps, casting long, soft shadows across the floor. I stood in front of the full length mirror, resting my hands lightly against the delicate waistline of my wedding gown. I remember when seeing the gown for the first time, I just knew this was the dress for me.

The dress was a masterpiece of grace, an off shoulder design crafted from heavy ivory silk that flowed gracefully to the floor, trailing into a sweeping train behind me, the beautiful lace sleeves hugged my arms and a line of tiny pearl buttons that stretched down the center of my back.

I inhaled deeply staring at the mirror, a soft smile rose across my lips, before, I would have seen a sad version of myself, a broken tainted creature who had no right to breathe fresh let alone wear... white.

A soft hesitant knock echoed at the bedroom door, "Autumn?" The voice was gentle, carrying a warmth that instantly put a smile on my lips, "come in, ma'am," I called out softly, smoothing the front of my dress.

The heavy door swung open and Jared's mother stepped into the room, she looked breathtaking... truly, the whole family were descendants of beauty goddesses. She wore a tailored knee length gown of deep blue that complimented her graceful features.

A soft gasoline escaped her lips, her hand rising to her heart, "Oh, Autumn..." she whispered, her voice trembled slightly as she closed the door behind her. She walked slowly across the rug, her heels clicking softly against the floor until she stopped just a few feet away, looking at my reflection in the mirror, "you are... absolutely breathtaking."

"Thank you, ma'am," I breathed out, turning slightly to meet her gaze in the glass, she shot me a soft glare, tapping my back softly, "how many times have I told you not to calm ma'am, it's mom to you."

I chuckled softly, then nodded gently, then she turned to face me, placing the bracelet on my hands. It was a beautifully looking vintage crystal bracelet, "I really can't accept this—" she held my hand firmly then shook her hand.

"Please, my dear, it's yours now, Jared's paternal grandmother gave it to me when I first came into the family, it's a family heirloom, it belongs to you now. I knew from the moment I saw you trembling in the cold and the way Jared stared at you that you were the one, no one else," she slowly clicked the bracelet on my arm, it looked so beautiful and breathtaking.

She raised her head to stare at me with a smile that melted my heart, I could feel myself tearing up a bit, she cooed reaching out and cleaning off the tears, "oh honey, don't cry, you're going to ruin your makeup and your groom is going to give us a hard time."

I choked on my laugh, but the tear sound made it even funny, "I won't cry, I don't want Jared to give you a headache," she smiled softly then turned me back to face the mirror staring at the reflection that I still couldn't believe was me.

We were cut by our trance when a soft knock echoed in the room, "I guess that must be the second bride," she said softly, she hugged me gently then headed out of the room as Catherine walked in, I'm still surprised how the Blackwood allowed us to have a double wedding in their estate. Catherine wore a vintage gown that screamed luxury from the stitches to the embroidery, it was truly perfect.

"You look... beautiful," I said to her with a soft smile, she returned the smile then walked straight to the mirror, "you, my dear are the one who owns the day." I stared at her eyes, it was finally peaceful, a striking contrast to when we first met.

"I remember standing in a room like this years ago," Catherine said quietly, her eyes drifting over the lace of my sleeves, her voice carrying a soft weight of a distant memory, "I thought I was marrying the man of my dreams, never knowing I was walking into my own doom."

She paused briefly, staring at the men downstairs as they got familiar with each other, "I was wearing a gown more expensive than this, surrounded by servants preparing to step into a life that I thought was perfect, I thought that was everything I deserved... I guess, we really don't know what tomorrow holds for us."

She turned to face me fully, reaching out to gently take of my hands in hers, her fingers soft, warm and steady, "but when you spoke out, Autumn... you reshaped everything for me," Catherine continued, her eyes shining with tears that didn't fall, "you gave me a chance of survival and showed me the monster I was once with."

A soft sobs escaped my lips but I forced it down, squeezing her hands tightly, "I really thought I had destroyed your family, Catherine. I carried that guilt for so long and I thought I was the reason everything collapsed."

"I can't believe you thought like this, when I heard from Summer what you had gone through the past year, I couldn't help but feel guilty," Catherine said firmly, shaking her head, "I'm so happy that you actually came our way."

"At least, we made it," I murmured, a soft breathless laugh escaping my lips as tears slipped down my cheeks. Cathetine nodded, leaning forward to give me a hug as her hands briefly cupped my face with motherly affection. She stepped back, wiping a stray tear from her own eye, a warm smile that made her features glow.

"In a few hours, we shall go down the aisle to the men who adore us and into a life that belongs entirely to you."