Chapter 5 A Special Wedding Dress

Three years of sharing the same bed couldn't compare to a single soft question from his first love.

Ethan's gaze was sharp, his words stabbing into the parts of Tessa that had long gone numb. Fortunately, those places had already scabbed over, cold and hard, unable to feel pain anymore.

She didn't even look at Ethan, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "Ms. Johnson, it seems Mr. Robinson doesn't want you to know about my relationship with him."

"But that's fine. Since Mr. Robinson says we're not close, then from today on, we're not close."

As her words fell, Tessa slowly stood up and walked straight to the bridal consultant nearby, speaking politely. "Excuse me, I'd like to try this one on."

She slowly pointed toward the centerpiece of the shop's window.

The wedding dress had a very creative design—beneath the white gown was a gradient of light blue, and the dress was covered with layers of tiny diamonds that looked incredibly dreamy under the lights, like the Milky Way.

She had seen this dress in a magazine before. It was the most expensive one in this bridal shop.

Lila frowned when she saw Tessa had her eye on the dress she'd been dreaming about.

"Ms. Garcia, not just anyone can buy this dress. I heard this gown was designed by the owner himself for his future wife."

Rosie nodded. "That's right."

Just as they were waiting to see her embarrassed, the manager came out. "The owner has given permission for Ms. Garcia to try on this dress."

Ethan and Lila froze instantly.

Tessa raised an eyebrow. "Thank you."

Lila gripped Ethan's hand tightly. "Ethan, I really like this dress too."

Ethan's expression darkened even more. "Tessa, I'm not going to marry you. There's no point in trying on this dress. Give it to Lila."

Tessa frowned slightly but quickly adjusted her mood, acting as if she hadn't heard. "Are Mr. Robinson and Ms. Johnson deaf? The manager just clearly stated that this dress is available for me to try on."

Just as Ethan was about to lose his temper, Tessa had already turned around and walked toward the fitting room, saying to Rosie, "Bring it over."

Her tone was matter-of-fact, leaving no room for argument.

Rosie had no choice but to take down the dress and follow her in.

The door closed, shutting Ethan and Lila out.

Lila leaned against Ethan's chest, pouting pitifully. "Ethan, did I say something wrong? Ms. Garcia seems even angrier."

Ethan was irritated and patted her back dismissively. "Why should we care about her anger?"

Despite his words, his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the closed fitting room door again and again.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Finally, the door clicked open.

Tessa walked out.

The moment she appeared, the air in the entire salon seemed to freeze.

The dress looked like it was made just for her, perfectly outlining her slender waist and graceful neckline.

Her naturally fair skin, set against the diamonds and white veil, seemed to glow with a radiant, luminous light.

Her long hair was casually pinned up, revealing her smooth forehead and delicate features.

She had no particular expression on her face, just standing there quietly, yet she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Ethan's pupils contracted sharply, his breathing skipped a beat.

He never knew Tessa would look like this in a wedding dress.

For the past three years, she had always worn plain cotton and linen dresses, following meekly behind him like a quiet plant.

He had never associated her with such a dazzling scene.

Lila keenly caught Ethan's momentary daze.

Her heart tightened. She gripped Ethan's hand a little harder, her voice tinged with tears. "Ethan, Ms. Garcia looks so beautiful. I feel a bit insecure now."

"You won't think less of me, will you?"

"This dress looks even better on her than I imagined. Maybe I shouldn't try it on. I definitely won't look as good as her."

Her words successfully pulled Ethan back from his daze.

He snapped out of it slightly, staring at Tessa, a flash of irritation from being ignored and deceived crossing his eyes.

"Take it off."

Ethan's voice was cold.

Tessa looked up at him, as if looking at an unreasonable stranger.

She ignored him, turned to the mirror, and calmly adjusted the hem of the dress, then asked Rosie beside her, "How much is this dress?"

Rosie stepped back, and the manager came forward.

"This dress is not for sale, but it can be provided to Ms. Garcia for her wedding."

"Thank you, I'll take this one. I really like it," Tessa said lightly.

This move completely enraged Ethan.

He strode forward and grabbed her wrist, with such force that it felt like he might crush her bones.

"Who are you marrying?"

He lowered his voice. "Give this dress to Lila."

Tessa's wrist hurt, her brows furrowing slightly.

She finally looked at him properly, but her lips curved into a mocking smile.

"Mr. Robinson, just because she likes it, does that mean it has her name on it?"

"Whether I get married or not, whether I marry you or not, seems to have nothing to do with you. After all, we're not close."

She paused, shook off his hand, rubbed her reddened wrist, and said slowly, "Too bad. I've set my heart on this dress, and the manager has reminded you again that this dress is only available for me to try on, for my wedding."

"Are you going to argue with me in front of outsiders? You weren't like this before."

Ethan's chest heaved violently with anger. "I'm not marrying you, so you have to throw this tantrum?"

Ethan lowered his voice, afraid Lila would hear. Watching him act so guilty, Tessa found it somewhat laughable and shook off his hand.

"Ethan, we're not close."

She looked at the man with the dark expression before her, finding him both strange and ridiculous.

The old Ethan would have coaxed her, gone along with her wishes, never daring to raise his voice at her.

But now she realized that all of it was only because of her face.

"Mr. Robinson, I don't give up things I've set my heart on, unless the thing itself is trash that I don't want."

Seeing the standoff continue, Lila gently tugged at Ethan's hand. "Forget it. Since Ms. Garcia likes it so much, let's give it to her. We can look at other shops."

As her words fell, Ethan pulled Lila and turned to leave without looking back.

Only after Ethan and Lila's figures disappeared at the door did the awkward atmosphere in the bridal salon ease slightly.

The manager wiped non-existent sweat from her forehead, her attitude toward Tessa becoming even more respectful.

"Ms. Garcia, you..."

"I'll change out of it."

Tessa interrupted her and turned to head back to the fitting room.

Just then, the wind chime at the door rang softly, and a warm, clear male voice came through.

"Sorry, Tessa. The flight was delayed. I'm late."

Tessa froze for a moment and turned around to see a tall, well-built man standing at the entrance, wearing a white shirt and casual pants.

His outfit was simple, but it couldn't hide his refined and distinguished air.

Ryan.

It had been three years.

Ryan had become even more handsome, with deep, striking features and a strong nose bridge.

He had shed his youthful awkwardness and grown more mature and composed.

Tessa's nerves, which had been tense all day, inexplicably relaxed the moment she saw him.

"Ryan." She smiled too.

Ryan walked over, his gaze falling on the wedding dress she hadn't changed out of yet. A flash of admiration crossed his eyes, but it quickly softened into a warm smile. "Beautiful."

His compliment was straightforward and sincere, without any hidden meaning.

"Mr. Williams, hello." The manager hurried over to greet him.

Ryan nodded slightly, his eyes returning to Tessa. "Are you tired? Do you want to rest for a bit? I can wait."

"No need, I'll be quick." Tessa shook her head and turned to enter the changing room.

By the time she came out in her own clothes, Ryan was already sitting in the lounge area, flipping through a men's suit catalog.

Seeing her emerge, he closed the catalog and stood up. "Let's go get something to eat."

"Okay."

The two walked side by side out of the bridal boutique. Just as they reached the entrance, they ran into someone.

It was Evan.

Evan had actually come to meet a friend for business, never expecting to run into Tessa here.

He was stunned at first, then his gaze fell on Ryan beside Tessa, his expression instantly turning playful.

This guy looked pretty good and had a decent air about him.

"Tessa, what a coincidence!"

Evan spoke casually, his eyes scanning back and forth between them. "Who's this?"

He remembered Ethan had just stormed out of here, and now Tessa was already with another man?

That was fast.

Tessa had no intention of dealing with him and pulled Ryan to walk around him.

"Hey, don't leave."

Evan stepped in front of them, grinning with ill intent. "You found a new boyfriend this quickly? No wonder—Ethan left and you disappeared. Turns out you latched onto another man."

"I've got to hand it to you."

Tessa was already known in their circle as a gold digger, only with Ethan for his money.

Ryan's expression darkened. He stepped forward, shielding Tessa behind him, his eyes calm but radiating an undeniable pressure.

"Sir, please move aside."

Evan felt a bit intimidated by his gaze, but said, "Who are you? Do you even know whose woman she is? And you still dare to cut in? You've got some nerve."

"She is now my fiancée." Ryan's tone was calm but firm.

Evan was completely dumbfounded.