Chapter 128

Ella POV

By the time we arrived at the restaurant, I felt almost sick with anxiety over the conversation I’d have to have with Alexander.

I couldn’t even imagine one of my parents speaking about me with the level of suspicion that Diana showed toward Alexander. The thought alone was enough to leave me heartbroken on his behalf.

I knew I couldn’t bring it up immediately—not with Diana right beside me. But the longer I waited, the harder it would be to tell Alexander the truth. The weight of it pressed heavily on my chest as we stepped inside.

The hostess greeted us warmly and led us to our table, where Alexander was already waiting. He stood the moment he saw us, his face lighting up as he moved toward us.

“How did it go?” he asked, bending to kiss my cheek.

“Surprisingly well,” I replied, offering him a small smile despite the turmoil in my mind.

“So, you found a dress?” he asked, his tone hopeful.

“We did,” I nodded, grateful for a safe topic. “My mother took some photos so we can share them with the tailor. He can get to work on your suit.”

“Perfect,” Alexander said with a satisfied smile. “It seems like it’s all finally coming together.”

“And we have so much to celebrate,” Diana said warmly as she moved to hug Alexander.

I hid my reaction, though it bothered me how easily she could interact with him like this—so casually and affectionately—considering the way she spoke about him to others.

Alexander hugged her back, then turned to greet my mother before we all took our seats.

As I sat down, a thought struck me: perhaps my frustration with Diana’s behavior was so intense because I knew exactly how it felt to be betrayed by those who claimed to care for me.

Amanda and David had done the same thing—pretending to have my best interests at heart while scheming behind my back.

I didn’t want to believe Diana was capable of anything so severe. My past experiences had likely made me oversensitive to any hint of disloyalty.

That realization made it a little easier to push my anger aside as I settled into my seat, focusing on the polite conversation that had resumed around the table. But a small part of me still couldn’t ignore the knot in my stomach.

"I'm curious about your dress," Alexander said after a few minutes, his eyes alight with interest.

"Well, you'll have to stay curious," I replied with a teasing smile. "The dress is going to be a surprise."

"Is it anything like the last dress you picked out?" he asked, smirking slightly. "The one I recommended to you?"

I rolled my eyes, recalling the memory of Alexander unexpectedly showing up at the bridal shop. He’d offered his unsolicited opinion on the form-fitting dress I was trying on, claiming it was perfect.

In the end, I’d bought the dress—not because of his suggestion, but because it truly was flattering on me. And, if I were honest, Amanda’s obvious jealousy over it had sealed the deal.

"No, not really," I replied with a grin. "I think you'll be quite surprised when you see it."

"Maybe," he said, leaning back. "But speaking of your original dress, I've been meaning to ask—why didn’t you end up wearing it at the wedding? Your grandmother's dress was stunning on you, but..."

I took a sip of wine to gather my thoughts before answering. "I didn’t end up wearing it because Amanda copied my dress."

"So that was intentional," Alexander said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I did notice the similarity."

"Luckily, my mother's dress was in good condition, and I knew it would fit Ella," my mom chimed in, smiling fondly at the memory.

"I did think about wearing the dress this time," I admitted. "But it seemed like bad luck."

"Oh, absolutely," Diana interjected, her face alight with mild horror. "You can't reuse the dress from a failed marriage—it would doom the second one."

Alexander’s sharp gaze snapped to Diana, but she only shrugged innocently. I ignored her comment entirely. My marriage to David wasn’t a “failure,” at least not in the way she implied.

It had been a situation I couldn’t easily escape, nothing more. My mother knew that, and so did Alexander, so Diana’s remark didn’t sting as she probably intended.

Still, Alexander’s jaw tightened slightly as he turned back to me, and I gave him a reassuring smile. This was one battle I wasn’t about to fight—Diana’s words didn’t have power here.

The conversation shifted as the waitress came to take our orders. Polite chatter filled the majority of the meal, with Diana seemingly having a wonderful time. My mother, ever the gracious conversationalist, kept things flowing, filling the silences when I couldn’t think of anything to say to the woman who had so easily gotten under my skin.

Each time I glanced at Alexander, I noticed him watching me—not in the playful, suggestive way he had back at the pool, but with a quiet, steady gaze that spoke of concern.

He could sense my unease, and it made me feel guilty. Alexander already had enough on his plate without me adding to his worries.

It wasn’t long before we were wrapping up our meal and preparing to head our separate ways. The days leading up to the wedding were going to be incredibly busy, leaving little time for Alexander and me to relax together.

Perhaps that was why my mother hooked her arm around Diana’s and murmured conspiratorially, “Let’s give the kids a moment to say their goodbyes,” before ushering Diana toward the door.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Alexander turned to me. “Are you all right?” he asked, his voice low and full of concern.

“Yes,” I replied automatically, but then I hesitated, frowning as I shook my head. “Actually... no. There’s something I want to talk to you about, but I’m not sure this is the time or place.”

“Is it about my mother?” he asked.

“Yes,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Has she been making comments like that to you all day?”

“No, it’s not about what she’s said to me. It’s the way she’s been talking about you,” I admitted, watching his face carefully.

Alexander’s eyes widened slightly. “How do you mean?”

“She keeps implying there’s more to the rumors about you than meets the eye,” I said hesitantly, “and that you’re hiding things.”

“Ah,” Alexander murmured, his expression growing serious. He glanced over his shoulder in the direction our mothers had gone before turning back to me. “Well, she’s not wrong. I do have secrets.” His lips quirked into a small, knowing smile. “But you and I both know, my pretty little puzzle, that so do you. So, it doesn’t really bother you, does it?”

His words made me pause, and despite myself, I smiled. He was right—we both had our secrets. Perhaps Diana’s behavior came from a place of genuine concern, fearing that I didn’t fully understand what I was getting into. Could I really begrudge her that, even if I thought her approach was wrong?

“I suppose that’s true,” I said softly. “But... it doesn’t bother you that your mother talks about you like that behind your back?”

“Not really,” Alexander said with a shrug, though there was a flicker of frustration in his eyes. “I’ll talk to her, but I appreciate you telling me.” He glanced toward the door. “They’re staring at us,” he added, his tone lightening. “I think it’s time we get going.”

“You’re right,” I agreed, exhaling. “There’s a lot of work to do.”

Alexander placed his hand at the small of my back, drawing me forward. I leaned into the kiss, knowing it was all for show. And yet, despite that knowledge, my traitorous heart fluttered at the contact.

My lips lingered against his for just a moment longer than necessary before we pulled away, and I struggled to push the feeling aside as we rejoined our mothers.