Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Chapter 0036 The old me would have been outraged and hurt by Amanda’s dress, but the current me was only annoyed. Was she trying to pull something to embarrass me, or was it just an attempt to get David’s attention for herself?

There was no way I could know unless I asked her. That would be a mistake, though. I didn’t want to accidentally reveal too much. Amanda was already suspicious of how quickly I had changed, and I couldn’t let on that there was more to it.

Still, I couldn’t walk down the aisle wearing a dress almost identical to Amanda’s maid of honor dress–it would look strange.

“What’s wrong, dear?” my mother asked.

I turned my attention to her. She had been helping the caterers set up the kitchen to begin cooking, and I hadn’t heard her approaching.

“Nothing,” I said.

“Don’t lie to me,” she replied. “I can tell something’s bothering you. What is it?”

I twisted my hands together as I tried to think of what to say. I was never good at lying to my mother. Besides, was a problem I had to address, and it might be easier with her help.

“There’s an issue with my dress,” I said.

She frowned deeply.

“Doesn’t it fit correctly?” she asked.

I shook my head. “The dress fits fine. The problem is that it’s too similar to Amanda’s ”

this “Then we tell Amanda that she has to wear something else, my mother said, glancing toward the staircase with a displeased look on her face.

“We can’t do that,” I replied quickly. “She would never be able to find something else in time, and I simply can’t have the wedding without her. She’s my best friend.”

My mother looked thoughtful. “This is a problem,” she said “You’re the bride. You must stand out today. We want to make sure that all eyes are on you. Besides, it will look strange if you and Amanda are wearing matching dresses.” +

“I thought so as well,” I said, “but I’m not sure what to do about it.”

“We’ll simply have to get you another dress,” she said matter–of–factly.

I stared at my mother in surprise. She said it like it was a simple matter, but finding another wedding dress for myself when I was supposed to walk down the aisle in just a couple of hours seemed impossible.

“How will we do that?” I asked.

My mother smiled brightly, then kissed me on the forehead. “You leave it to me,” she said. “Nothing’s going to ruin my baby girl’s big day.”

Her words made my eyes well with tears. I had missed this happy, confident version of my mother. She was never the same after Father fell ill.

In this timeline, that hadn’t happened, and I was going to do everything in my power to make sure that it never did.

“Thank you, Mom,” I said softly.

Chapter 0036 +25 BONUS “Of course,” she replied. “Now, what other work needs to be done? We’re running out of time, and we need to make sure that everything goes according to plan.”

I nodded in agreement. She had no idea how right she was.

“I’ve spoken to the bartenders and the house staff already, I said. “The tables are all set up, as are the chairs. Everything has its cover, and the flowers are being arranged at the moment.”

“And the food is being prepared,” my mother added. “The cake should be delivered any moment.”

“What’s left to prepare?” I asked, reaching for the list I had in my pocket.

“The beautiful bride,” my mother said with a smile.

“Yes,” I laughed slightly. “I know my hair and makeup will take some time, but I need to make sure that everything else is ready first.”

“You can trust me to take care of that,” she pointed out. “I’m more than capable.”

“I know that you are, but it’s my wedding, and I feel like it’s my responsibility,” I said.

She smiled and pulled me in for a light kiss on the forehead. “When did you become so responsible and grown up? “she asked fondly.

“Only recently,” I replied in a joking tone.

It was true, though. For my mother, it must seem like I woke up one day and was a completely grown–up version of myself. She had no idea of everything I had gone through in the last few years, and I couldn’t share it with her.

It was a lonely feeling, having to keep everything about the original timeline to myself.

“I believe we’ve covered all of our bases,” my mother said, and I hate to see you so stressed out on a day that’s supposed to be about celebration. I think you should take a little break. Have you had anything to eat today?” she asked.

I shook my head. “All I’ve had is tea,” I admitted.

My mother looked at me in disapproval and clicked her tongue. She put her arm around my shoulders and started leading me toward the kitchen.

“You have a little something to eat so you can keep your strength. I’ll make a few phone calls to arrange for the dress, and we’ll go from there, okay?”

I hesitated but nodded. She was right. If I let myself get into the stress as I had in the original timeline, I wouldn’t be able to keep my wits about me.

The truth was, the first time around, I had gotten drunk so easily because my stomach had been completely empty. My nerves had been too much for me to even consider taking the time to eat, and so after only a couple of drinks, I passed out.

I couldn’t allow that to happen again.

The kitchen was bustling with a dozen people working around the room–chopping vegetables, frying meat on the stovetop, and mixing large bowls of batter.

There was a comer of the countertop filled with breakfast pastries and a coffee pot standing next to it, smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the space.

My mother walked me to that corner and pointed at the delicious–looking food.

with the +25 BONUS Chapter 0036 “Eat your fill,” she advised. “It’s going to be a very long day”

“That’s right, young miss,” an older woman called from nearby. “If me, and I’ll make you whatever you want.”

i don’t like what we have to offer, just tell I smiled at the woman. It took a moment, but I recognized ber. She had been working for my family for a very long time.

“Thank you, Bethany,” I said.

The woman’s face lit up in a bright smile when I called her by her name.

“I’m surprised you remember me,” she said. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen you.

“You used to work in our house,” I said. “I remember you teaching me how to make scrambled eggs. I was terrible at it and burned it every time, but you kept working with me until I got it right. It was a lot of fun to take cooking lessons from you.

“I was happy to help; you were such an enthusiastic student,” she said.

“Maybe we can try the lessons again,” I said. “I still have a lot to learn.

“I would like that,” she said with a smile.

The moment was broken when someone rushed into the room. It was a young man dressed in the uniform of one of our drivers.

There was a wild look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” my mother asked with concern.

The boy turned to her and responded in a tense, nervous tone.

“The Alpha King is on his way.”