Chapter 4 Donating a Wedding Dress

After Sylvia hung up, her face grew even paler.

Seeing her expression, Paige asked urgently, "What's wrong? What happened at the bridal boutique?"

"They said someone is trying on my custom wedding gown. They can't stop her."

Paige exploded instantly. "Who's that shameless? That's the gown you commissioned for your own wedding—why should anyone else try it on?"

Sylvia didn't answer.

She already knew.

Who else would dare brazenly try on her wedding gown?

"Paige, take me to the boutique first." Sylvia grabbed her suitcase. "Then we'll find a place to stay."

Paige took the suitcase, storming out. "Let's go. I want to see exactly who's this shameless."

The car stopped outside the bridal boutique.

Sylvia pushed through the door. The scene before her was like a knife plunging straight into her heart.

The gown she'd spent months customizing was draped on Clara's body.

The pure white train swept across the floor, hand-sewn crystals refracting brilliant light, the V-neckline perfectly framing her collarbones, the waist cut to accentuate every curve.

This gown should look sacred and beautiful on any bride.

But on Clara, it only made Sylvia feel sick.

Even more jarring was Nelson standing nearby.

He held up his phone, photographing Clara, his face showing a tenderness Sylvia had never seen.

"Clara, turn around. Let me get a side shot."

Clara complied with a coy, satisfied smile. Her gaze drifted past Nelson's shoulder, landing precisely on Sylvia at the door.

That look held undisguised triumph and provocation.

She'd known Sylvia would come.

In fact, she'd been waiting for her.

"Does it look good?" Clara asked deliberately, her voice sickeningly sweet.

Nelson nodded. "Beautiful. This gown looks like it was made just for you."

Sylvia watched, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Paige couldn't hold back. She charged forward, pointing at Clara's nose. "Have you no shame? This is Sylvia's wedding gown—what right do you have to wear it?"

Clara's smile froze. She shrank back, moving closer to Nelson.

Her voice turned timid. "I... I didn't know this was Ms. Granger's gown. The staff said it was unclaimed, so I..."

"Unclaimed?" Paige trembled with rage. "This is a custom gown! I don't believe any staff member would tell you that!"

Nelson's face darkened as he stepped in front of Clara. "Paige, watch your tone."

Paige didn't back down. "Which part of what I said isn't true?"

She pointed at Nelson. "Nelson, Sylvia's been with you for seven years. Is this how you treat her? You gave away her dog and got it killed, gave her ring to your mistress, and now you're letting your mistress wear her wedding gown?"

Nelson's expression turned grim. "Clara's just trying it on. Do you have to be so petty?"

Paige laughed bitterly. "Why is she trying on someone else's wedding gown? Is she getting married too? To whom? To you? Don't forget—you and Sylvia are still engaged!"

Nelson's eyes sharpened. "This is between Sylvia and me. It's none of your business."

"Sylvia's business is my business! I have every right!" Paige shot back.

Clara, cowering behind Nelson, spoke up. "Ms. Morgan, Nelson and I aren't what you think..."

Paige cut her off. "Shut up! Who gave you permission to speak?"

"Who gave you permission?" Nelson snapped. "Mind your own business!"

Sylvia stepped in front of Paige. "Paige is looking out for me!"

Nelson turned to Sylvia, his tone cold and hard. "Then control your friend. If she insults Clara again, don't blame me for what happens."

Sylvia stared at Nelson, suddenly feeling he was a stranger.

This man—she'd loved him for seven years, devoted seven years to him.

And in the end, for another woman, he wouldn't even grant her basic dignity.

"Nelson." Sylvia spoke. "Tell Clara to take off the gown."

Nelson frowned. "She's just trying it on. Do you have to be so petty?"

Sylvia smiled mockingly. "You're not petty—go ahead and order her a new one. What right does she have to wear my gown?"

Nelson looked away impatiently. "I told you, I'll compensate you for the gown. I'll buy you as many as you want."

"I don't want you to buy any." Sylvia enunciated each word. "I just want her to take it off."

Clara bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes.

"Ms. Granger, I'm sorry. I really didn't know this gown meant so much to you. I'll take it off right now."

She made a show of removing the gown, but deliberately slowed her movements, gazing pitifully at Nelson.

Sure enough, Nelson grabbed her arm. "You don't have to."

He glanced coldly at Sylvia, then turned gently to Clara. "If you like it, keep it on. Don't worry about outsiders."

Hearing his words, Sylvia's heart felt crushed, the pain nearly suffocating her.

He knew exactly what that gown meant to her, yet he still gave it to Clara.

"I'm an outsider?" Sylvia's eyes reddened. "Seven years together, and you're calling me an outsider?"

Nelson's gaze was sharp. "Sylvia, I'm warning you. If Clara suffers because of you again, forget about the wedding."

Clara, having achieved her goal, feigned consideration. "Nelson, I'm fine. I'll go change now."

She walked toward the fitting room.

After changing, Nelson draped his arm around Clara's shoulders and left without so much as a glance at Sylvia.

Their figures disappeared through the door.

Paige stomped her foot in fury. "That scumbag and his homewrecker! Sylvia, why did you hold back? You should've torn that bitch's face off!"

"It wouldn't matter."

Sylvia stared blankly at the discarded gown, her mind echoing with that word—outsider.

A staff member approached carefully, apologetic. "Ms. Granger, I'm so sorry. We really couldn't stop that customer. She said she was Mr. Fields's girlfriend, and we..."

"It's fine." Sylvia cut her off. "It's not your fault."

She took a deep breath, as if making a decision.

"I want to donate this gown."

The staff member froze. "What?"

"I said I'm donating this wedding gown." Bitterness flickered in Sylvia's eyes. "The wedding's canceled. There's no point keeping it. Better to donate it to someone who deserves it."

The staff hesitated. "Ms. Granger, this is a globally limited haute couture gown. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Sylvia turned to Paige. "Paige, let's go."

Paige looked at her with heartache. "You're really donating the gown? You worked so hard to get it."

"But it's been tainted!" Sylvia touched the gown. "Keeping something tainted would only disgust me."

"Sylvia..."

Sylvia smiled at her. "I'm fine. Let's go."