Nora’s POV
The morning of my wedding arrived with a quiet heaviness that I couldn’t shake. I was supposed to feel happy, excited even. Every girl dreamed of this moment: the gowns, the laughter, the preparations. But all I felt was empty.
Olivia had gone above and beyond. Despite everything happening in her own life, despite Alpha Lennox’s situation weighing heavily on her, she’d poured her heart into making my wedding day perfect. She’d hired the best designers for both my traditional and white gowns, each hand-stitched with crystal embroidery that shimmered when the light touched them.
The venue, the grand pack hall inside the mansion, had been transformed overnight. Golden drapes cascaded from the ceiling, white roses lined every aisle, and a chandelier of moonstones glowed softly above the altar. It looked like a royal wedding, not a wedding between a maid and a warrior.
Lolita was beside me, humming softly as she pinned the last strands of my hair. She smiled at my reflection in the mirror. "You look beautiful," she said gently.
I managed a weak smile. "Thanks."
Her hands stilled for a moment, and she met my eyes in the mirror. "You know, you can still cancel this."
I froze.
She sighed softly, brushing a curl behind my ear. "I’m serious, Nora. You don’t have to do this. You don’t look happy."
I looked down at my hands, at the silver engagement ring glinting faintly on my finger. "I made my decision," I said quietly.
Lolita frowned. "Yeah, but was it the right one?"
I didn’t answer, because deep down, I didn’t know anymore.
She moved around to face me, folding her arms. "I’ve known you for years. You’re not yourself, Nora. This whole thing, this wedding, it feels rushed."
I let out a shaky breath. "Olivia’s been amazing. She’s done everything, everything I could ever ask for."
"That’s not what I meant," Lolita said softly. "I’m talking about you. You’re supposed to be glowing right now, not looking like someone’s dragging you to your own funeral."
I tried to laugh, but it came out hollow.
Lolita knelt slightly so we were eye-level. "You love him, don’t you?" she asked quietly.
My chest tightened instantly. I didn’t need her to say his name; we both knew who she meant.
"Love who?" I asked weakly.
She gave me a look. "Calvin."
I swallowed hard. "No."
She tilted her head. "You sure?"
"Yes," I lied. "Calvin doesn’t want me. He made that clear. He wants someone better, someone with status, someone his mother would actually approve of. I’m just me."
Lolita’s eyes softened with pity. "Nora..."
I stood abruptly, cutting her off. "Daniel is a good man. He’s kind, loving, and he actually loves me. That’s what matters."
"But you don’t love him," she said quietly.
My throat closed up. "I’ll learn to," I whispered.
The room fell silent. Only the activities from downstairs could be heard.
Lolita sighed, shaking her head. "You’re doing this to forget him."
I looked at her through the mirror, my reflection pale and tired. "I’m doing this to move on."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Fated To Not Just One But Three