Chapter 245

#245 “Today is About You.”

In the weeks leading up to their wedding, Sophia’s schedule was a whirlwind of activity. Every day was a balancing act between the joyous tasks of wedding planning and the somber preparations for the legal case surrounding her father’s untimely death. Sophia moved tirelessly from reviewing floral arrangements to sifting through legal documents, her mind often seeming miles away even when her body was present.

Alexander watched all of this with a growing concern for Sophia’s well- being. He saw how her shoulders tensed up more with each passing day and how her smiles came less frequently.

Determined to lighten her burden, Alexander took it upon himself to be her pillar during this tumultuous time.

He brought her favorite lunches during her breaks, sat through meetings about table settings and cake designs, and listened attentively as she debated over color schemes for the reception.

Yet, as the wedding day approached, Alexander noticed an unmistakable shadow of preoccupation in Sophia’s eyes. She was physically present, but her spirit was often elsewhere, caught up in the details of her father’s case.

Alexander stood in the doorway of Sophia’s makeshift office at home, observing her as she juggled phone calls and paperwork. Papers were strewn across the desk, her laptop open to a spreadsheet that seemed to manage both wedding details and legal documents. He could see the strain in her brow, a stark contrast to the usual excitement a bride-to-be would feel.

He gently knocked on the open door, catching her attention. “Hey, how’s it going?” he asked, though the answer was clear from the stress etched across her face.

Sophia sighed, rubbing her temples. ” It’s a lot, Alex. I’m trying to finalize the guest list and at the same time, I’m digging through these old case files… it’s overwhelming.”

Alexander nodded, his heart sinking at the sight of her exhaustion. “I know, love. And you haven’t even had a moment to enjoy any of this. How about taking a break from all this? Maybe go out and find your wedding dress? That should be fun, right?”

Sophia looked up, a flicker of excitement in her eyes quickly shadowed by her sense of duty. “I don’t know if I have the time, Alex. There’s so much to do and-”

“Let me worry about that,” Alexander interrupted, pulling out his phone. ”

I’m going to call Evelyn. She’s been itching to take you dress shopping anyway. It’ll be good for you to step away for a bit.”

Sophia hesitated, then nodded, her lips curving into a tentative smile. “Maybe you’re right. It might help to do something normal for a change.”

Encouraged, Alexander stepped out of the room and dialed Evelyn. When she picked up, he didn’t waste any time. ” Evelyn, hey, it’s Alexander. I need a favor. Can you take Sophia out for wedding dress shopping? She’s buried in all this wedding and case prep and needs a break.”

Evelyn’s voice buzzed with excitement through the phone. “Of course! I’ve been waiting for her to say the word. We’ll make a day of it. Leave it to me, Alex. We’ll have a blast, and I’ll make sure she comes back feeling more like a bride.”

“Thanks, Evelyn. I just want her to enjoy this time, you know? She’s been under so much stress.” “I totally get it. We’ll take care of her.

Don’t worry. I’ll call her right now and set it up.”

“Thanks, Ev. I owe you one.”

Hanging up, Alexander felt a lightness he hadn’t felt in days. He knew Sophia was carrying a heavy burden, but maybe, just for a day, she could feel the joy and excitement that a bride should. He couldn’t solve all the problems, but he could make sure she had moments of happiness amidst the chaos.

On a bright Saturday morning, the city seemed to bustle with a cheerful energy as Sophia and Evelyn arranged to meet in front of a renowned bridal boutique, known for its exquisite collection of wedding gowns. As Evelyn approached, she spotted Sophia standing by the entrance, her eyes locked onto her phone screen, thumb flicking through emails with a furrowed brow.

“Hey! Are you excited?” Evelyn chirped as she came up to her friend, hoping to spark some enthusiasm.

Sophia looked up, her expression clouded with anxiety rather than excitement. “Yeah, I guess,” she replied, her attention quickly diverting back to her phone.

Evelyn’s smile faltered for a moment before she reached out, gently taking the phone from Sophia’s hands. “Okay, this is going off,” she declared, powering down the device. “Today is about you, about finding your dream dress, and you can’t do that if you’re stuck in work mode.”

Sophia’s eyes widened slightly. “I’m just worried I won’t like anything,” she confessed, her voice carrying a hint of despair.

Evelyn grabbed Sophia’s hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. “Sophie, you need to relax and just have fun with this. Trust me, when you find the right dress, you’ll know. It’s going to speak to you,” she said with a wink.