Anneliese''s voice carried a gentle warmth that wasn''t intentional, yet Wendy felt it deeply and found herself smiling.


    Ellie had no clue what was amusing everyone. She wiggled her little bottom and joined in theughter anyway.


    Just then, the server arrived, carrying the food.


    Anneliese''s lips curved into a smile. "Madam Chalmont, there''s far too much here. We won''t be able to finish it. How about we pack some for Steven and Jonathan, so they won''t have to wait when they get back?"


    Hearing that, Wendy felt even more at ease, realizing Anneliese didn''t treat her as an outsider. She nodded in agreement.


    "You really know how to care for people. Jonathan is lucky to have you."


    Anneliese stayedposed despite the teasing, smiling gently as she asked the server for a few takeaway containers.


    The trio-Anneliese, Wendy, and Ellie-ate quietly, asionallymenting on the dishes, teasing Ellie a bit, and finishing the meal in high spirits.


    Yet Steven and Jonathan had still not returned. Ellie sat in the private room, absorbed in a puzzle the server had brought for her.


    After the meal, Anneliese and Wendy shared some fruit and then settled on the couch by the window, chattingfortably.


    "Madam Chalmont, is there something special about that wedding dress design?"


    Anneliese had noticed the subtle shift in Gianna''s expression when she first glimpsed the sketch-shock mixed with envy.


    It was obvious the dress design wasn''t ordinary.


    Wendy pulled up the sketch on her phone. As she looked at it, her face softened, tinged with sadness.


    "This sketch... it wasn''t drawn recently. The concept and first draft were made five years ago. I designed it for my daughter."


    "Oh..." Anneliese''s surprise left her momentarily speechless.


    She hadn''t known Wendy had a daughter. The Malones were only supposed to have Steven and Gianna.


    Wendy clearly had no child with her, and the daughter she mentioned wasn''t Gianna.


    Anneliese didn''t fully understand but could sense the grief that suddenly shadowed Wendy.


    She reached for Wendy''s hand. "Madam Chalmont, if it''s too painful to talk about, I


    Wendy gently shook her head, stopping Anneliese. She looked at her with quiet resolve.


    "It''s fine. My daughter left me soon after birth because I wasn''t enough. Would that change your opinion of this wedding dress sketch?"


    Her daughter had passed away, and the design had been inspired by her-made with her in mind.


    The sketch was born from longing. Wendy imagined her daughter grown, eighteen, wearing the most exquisite wedding dress she could design.


    She dreamed of seeing her daughter as a radiant, happy bride.


    But that blessing would nevere, and Wendy would never have that chance.


    So the sketch remained hidden.


    Wendy never expected it would be used in her lifetime—until she met Anneliese.


    They had an unexinable connection. Despite Gianna''s


    constant pleading, Wendy refused to let her near the sketch vet she Wanted Anneliese to wear it


    Perhaps it was because Anneliese resembled Ellie-sweet, beautiful, and kind.


    Wendy imagined that if her daughter had lived, she might have been like Anneliese.


    Moreover, the dress genuinely suited Anneliese''s aura.


    But Wendy wasn''t certain whether Anneliese, if she learned the dress had been


    created for her deceased daughter, would view it as a bad omen.


    A wedding was meant to be one of life''s happiest moments, and linking it to someone who had already passed away could easily be seen as inauspicious by most people.


    Wendy held Anneliese''s hand firmly. "If it''s not to your taste, I can show you other drafts. I drew two more, but none of them captured the essence like this one hesitated so much before deciding to share it with you..."


    Her words were cut short by a gentle, tender hug that wrapped around her. Wendy stiffened for a moment.


    Anneliese leaned close, embracing the grieving woman softly. Patting her back likeforting a child, she smiled.


    "Madam Chalmont, I see how much love went into this design. No wonder it''s stunning. I''m honored-why would I ever mind?"


    Wendy hadn''t expected such reassurance. Her eyes burned with unshed tears.


    Though she had lived more than half her life, the simple warmth of a younger woman''s hug made her want to cry unexpectedly.