His mind tried to move away, but her face rose again in his mind.
Dawn. It was always Dawn.
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Was this some kind of punishment for the way he had pushed her away <i>so </i>many times? That was the thought that went through his head.
Austin pressed his palms hard against his temples. The dull ache spread from his skull down into his chest. It tightened around his lungs until every breath scraped against him, leaving him fighting for air.
When Austin had called, Dawn expected to spend the whole night staring at the ceiling. She was sure her nerves would keep her awake. Yet the second her body touched the mattress, sleep imed her.
She reminded herself that she needed rest. The morning woulde early, and she had to look her best. So she forced her body to loosen, to let the hours slip by.
Before the first light touched the horizon, voices carried through her window.
Anna and Erin had arrived, already dressed as bridesmaids. A makeup artist followed close behind.
Anna mmed the door shut and strode across the room, her heels sharp against the floor. “I swear, you’re something else,” she said, heading straight for the bed. “Nobody stays this calm right before their wedding. Anyone else would be losing their mind by now.” She grabbed Dawn’s arm and tugged her upright. “Come on. Today you’re going to look like the most stunning bride this town has ever seen.”
Erin grinned and tossed her hair back. “Exactly. I even dragged my personal photographer here, so if you don’t look wless, I’ll raise hell.”
The two of themughed as they shoved Dawn into the chair before the mirror. Together, they turned to the makeup artist. “Do your thing.”
The artist they brought was famous, the kind of woman whose calendar was booked solid with celebrities and politicians. She had a gift for bringing out someone’s best, for pulling someone’s best features into the light.
Dawn hardly needed the help. Her features already glowed with natural grace.
But when the artist finished, she looked breathtaking–so radiant the room seemed <i>to </i>pause.
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Anna’s mouth fell open, and she let out a sharp click of her tongue. “Dawn, have you <b>been </b>hiding this face from the world all this time?”
Erin let out a low whistle. “Couldn’t agree more.”
Their stares lingered, and Dawn shifted in her chair, her checks warming. She gave a nervousugh. “Stop looking at me like I’m a stranger. If someone worked on you two like this, you’d look just as good.”
Anna shook her head firmly. “Maybe in theory. But pulling it off is a whole different story.”
She crouched and adjusted the gown around Dawn’s legs, her hands steady. Then she lifted her gaze, scanned the room to make sure no one else was near, and leaned close. Her voice softened. “Your uncle must have been blind. At least Ethan knows what he’s got. Honestly, you and Ethan are one hell of a match.”
Erin had never met Ethan in person, but she’d studied his photos, his background, everything about him. She nodded without hesitation.
Dawn’s eyes wavered as the echo ofst night’s phone call slipped back into her mind.
She put on a smile. “You’re right. Ethan and I are one hell of a match.”
The three of them burst intoughter. But even as theyughed, Anna and Erin traded a look. Then Anna leaned in close again. “Do you think there’s any chance Austin might show up today and wreck this wedding?”
The room froze. The air thickened, pressing down on them. No one spoke.
Finally, Dawn broke it with a yful p against Anna’s arm. She put on her best re. “Don’t start with that nonsense. That’s not going to happen.”
Anna threw her hands up andughed it off. “Alright, alright, I’m kidding. Even if he did, Ethan isn’t the kind of man to sit back and do nothing.”
The weight lifted, and the room’s energy returned.
They talked and teased as they waited for the sound of cars to reach the house.
Little did anyone know, Anna’s joke would be reality.
Dawn had gone to weddings before, but standing in her own felt different. Her chest rattled with nerves she never thought she’d feel. She ran the steps through her head again and again, but nothing slowed her pounding heart.
Chapter 212 Regret
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The Jackson estate buzzed with life. The vi, freshly remodeled, was covered in flowers, <b>every </b>stone detail shining like it had been scrubbed for the asion.
Outside, the deep growl of tires broke through the chatter.
Anna’s eyes lit up.
She squeezed Dawn’s shoulder.
“They’re here.”
A soft smile touched Dawn’s lips. Her friends lifted the veil and lowered it gently over her face.
The steps outside grew louder, each one heavy, deliberate, carrying weight with every fall.
Dawn and Ethan had decided to skip the usual games, the silly traditions. Neither of them liked the fuss. They wanted to head straight to the hotel, to the ceremony.
“What a waste,” Erin groaned as she bounded toward the door. “I had a whole list of games ready. Guess I’ll just check out how hot the groomsmen are instead.”
She yanked the door open, ready to tease, but her body stiffened. Her smile copsed. “Mr. Osborne?”
Her voice cracked, her eyes wide. She turned back, her hands iling in a desperate signal.
But Austin gave her no chance. His face was carved from stone as he brushed past her and stepped inside.
Dawn had already caught the sound of his steps, but seeing him fill the doorway struck her harder than she expected. His tall frame blocked the light, and his eyes burned as they locked on her.
“Dawn,” he said, his voice low but fierce, e with me.”
Anna shot up instantly, her heels scuffing the floor as she nted herself in front of him. Her arms folded, her chin lifted in defiance. “Mr. Osborne, you’ve got the wrong room. Even if you’re family, this is not your ce.”
Austin didn’t even nce at her. His eyes stayed on Dawn, her figure cloaked in the veil, her gown glowing in the soft light. His voice cut sharp. “Step aside.”
“You can’t just—”
“Move.”
The sheer force in his tone sliced the words in Anna’s throat. She faltered, lips parted, but
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Dawn’s calm voice steadied the air. “Anna, let him speak.”
Anna red at him onest time before pulling herself back.
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Dawn raised her chin, meeting the gaze of the man who had been a figure of strength through her childhood. His face was sharper now, lined with shadows that hadn’t been there before. <b>His </b>stare was heavy, unreadable, unrelenting.
“Uncle Austin,” she said, her voice steady but edged with disbelief, “what are you trying <i>to </i>do?”