Lost Me Gained Regret

The anticipation was thick in the air, almost palpable.

The day of the gala had dawned surprisingly bright and clear, a stark contrast to the dreary, rain-soaked days that had preceded it. Vista Town's elite and a smattering of celebrities usually glimpsed only on screen graced the event, making the hotel's entrance a parade of luxury cars and eager reporters.

Catching sight of the cameras, I couldn't help but express my amazement, "My mom really went all out with this."

Beside me, Gregory nonchalantly agreed, "Yeah, the scale of this thing is kind of stressing me out."

I thought he shared my sentiment until he added, "Makes me think I'll have to go even bigger for our wedding."

I was speechless.

I sneaked in through the back door into the green room.

Bella's eyes lit up when she saw me. "My daughter looks stunning."

Despite my excitement, nerves tingled through me.

Feeling the sweat in my palms, she guided me to sit down on a couch. "Take a breather. Ivy will come fetch you when it's your turn."

I nodded.

Before leaving, Bella turned to Gregory, saying, "Try to calm her down a bit, will you? She's still pregnant, and even at three months, we can't have her getting too stressed." "Of course, Bella."

Gregory settled next to me after Bella left.

He asked, "Want me to say anything in particular?"

"I don't even know..."

"Okay."

Suddenly, he knelt in front of me, "I've been trying to comfort you all morning with no luck. It's hard to control physiological responses."

"But, I might have a slightly unconventional solution."

Intrigued and too preoccupied to question his logic, I went along with it, believing in him.

"What's the plan?"

propose

...

the banquet hall and the reporters found

initially denied any relationship

I'd like

Pearl's past misdeeds and how Summer deceived her, preventing her from recognizing

on cue, enhancing the emotional impact of her speech. She chose a subdued gown for the occasion, willingly playing the supporting role to her daughter. Her heartfelt delivery moved many in the

among the crowd of journalists, a masked woman's eyes

...

came to fetch me, Gregory had stepped out to

me, Christine teased, "What's with

rolled my eyes. "It's nothing. He just brought

"Proposing? He did?!"

"Not exactly."

my breath, "He always mentions it in passing, but

seem the type

him, so proposing has become a big

not like running a company with a

proposal to be

I nodded, "You're good at analyzing others' relationships.

I had touched a sore

Christine's expression dimmed

feel guilty. "Dailey's hurt. He probably wanted you to visit. I

already been

tone was light, "Not because I knew he was injured. I was there on other business and

of scorn

his et art by his side, feeding

very cozy. Must

to appear unaffected, I could sense

I've been

was playing games,