The Spring She Grew Into

Janice was not just making up excuses. She and Sean had to throw their wedding together super fast, and there was a whole bunch of stuff they did not have time to sort out, like the dream dress. No chance to get some fancy designer to whip up something special.

However, luck was on her side. There was this big 'Wedding & Romance' auction going down in Luminous City tomorrow, and the showstopper? A drop-dead gorgeous gown by some world-class designer, the kind that every girl fantasized about, and it was worth a fortune.

Janice was about to get hitched, and even though her groom was not Adrian, the guy she had been pining for all those years, she was not about to phone in on her big day.

She had her heart set on snagging that dreamy wedding gown at the auction.

As she strutted up to the auction house, she ran smack into Yvette.

Yvette's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw Janice. "What are you doing here?" she gasped.

Janice just brushed past her, heading for the action inside.

However, Yvette clung on like a bad rash, blocking Janice's way. "Janice, this auction's all about wedding gear. You don't need any of this stuff. Why crash the party?"

Janice paused, giving Yvette a level look. "Oh, I don't need it, but you do?"

"Absolutely!" Yvette flashed her ten-carat diamond ring, clapping a hand over her mouth as she cackled like a proud chicken. "Bet you didn't know, Janice, but I'm tying the knot!"

She flaunted her bling in Janice's face. "See this rock? My fiance popped the question with it: ten whole carats, set me back 4.5 million bucks. Gorgeous, right?

"He's even booked the swanky Kingsley Hotel for the wedding bash, and we're flying in the flowers by private jet.

"To be honest, I couldn't care less about all that jazz, but he's so worried about spoiling me. So here I am, ready to splurge on whatever catches my eye."

Janice did not give Yvette the green-eyed look she was fishing for. Instead, she just cracked a small smile. "Really? What a coincidence. I'm getting married too."

"No way! He's supposed to be marrying–"

"Yvette!"

Adrian's voice cut through the air like a knife, slicing off Yvette's words mid-sentence.

He stormed forward, planting himself firmly between the two women, his gaze drilling into Janice with a fury he could not contain.

"You skipped out on taking my mom to the hospital for this auction? When did you start losing sight of what really matters?

"You ignore your responsibilities and tail me here instead. What's your game, Janice?"

Janice looked up at the man who had been the king of her heart for 16 years, the one she had followed around like a shadow, dreaming of the day she would become his wife.

At this point, his face seemed alien to her, nothing like the sharp, sunny guy she had held in her memories.

In a heartbeat, 16 years of tangled emotions evaporated into thin air.

Janice met his eyes, her voice ice-cold. "Adrian, you're well aware she's your mother. My being here is none of your business."

"How can you say that? Are you trying to blackmail me into marrying you by snapping up all this stuff? Let me tell you–"

Adrian was cut off mid-rant.

Janice shoved past him and strode into the auction hall without a backward glance.

Adrian made to follow, but Yvette, tears streaming down her face, grabbed his sleeve, her voice trembling, "Who are you really marrying? Why did she just say she's getting married, too?

"You promised to marry me at Kingsley Hotel. Was that all just a lie? Is she the one you're actually going to marry there?" Yvette's eyes were swollen from crying.

Adrian's heart shattered at the sight of her distress.

Adrian quickly took Yvette's hand, his voice a hushed urgency as he promised, "You're the only bride for me, Yvette, always.

"That girl's got it bad for me, chasing me down even to the auction to spill her heart out. Her talk of marriage is just a fantasy.

"We're just waiting for the deal to close, right? We were supposed to sign tomorrow, but there's been no word. Don't worry, the moment her dad signs on the dotted line, we're getting hitched!"

"No way!" Yvette's lips formed a pout. "Wait, wait, wait, how long is that going to be? You've got the hotel booked already. Let's just go through with the wedding tomorrow, or we're done!"

Adrian wavered.

Yvette stomped her foot and spun around to leave.

He could easily pull off a small wedding. On the big day, he would just throw out a business trip excuse. Janice would never question him; she would be none the wiser.

With that thought, Adrian grabbed Yvette's arm, a determined edge to his voice. "Alright! Your wish is my command. We'll get married tomorrow."

Yvette halted, her sobs turning into a grin, "So, I can bid on anything I want later at the auction, right? Especially that wedding dress. I've been dreaming of wearing it to marry you."

"Buy, buy, buy, whatever you want, Your Highness!"

Yvette's laugh was filled with triumph.