HAUGHTY-To Love ✔

CHAPTER 34

AUN POV

My hands clutched the bridal bouquet as I caught a glimpse of the modest bride in the reflection, feeling like a crumbled girl behind the facade. The ladies around me straightened my lace veil, ensuring it covered my face.

One of the ladies who had helped dress me had already left to inform Dara of my completed look. Within a few minutes, Dara, along with my father, stepped inside the room, their eyes filled with a mix of amusement and glory.

"Oh, my dear, you look absolutely gorgeous," Dara exclaimed, flashing her toothy grin and holding my shoulders to admire me. "My son is so lucky to have such a beautiful bride like you," she continued, her words causing me to suppress the expletives that were on the tip of my tongue.

As I forced a smile, the grip on my bouquet tightened. Those two pairs of eyes never left me as the elders continued to appreciate my transformation. "It's already time, dear. We need to hurry downstairs," Dara said, helping to hold my veil and gown along with the other ladies.

"Mrs. Jeon, if you don't mind, can I have a moment alone with my daughter?" my eyes turned to look at Papa, as he pleaded with the women in the room. Dara felt the tension in the air and glanced at her watch before looking at my father. "Please make it quick, Mr. Grey. We are running out of time," she said, showing her watch and instructing everyone to leave us alone.

The room fell silent as my father stood there, gazing at me with adoration once again. His eyes held a warmth that threatened to spill over. He took a step closer to me, his hand slowly reaching out to caress my head.

"It feels like just yesterday that you were learning to walk, and now..." he trailed off, letting out a sigh to hold back his emotions. I knew he would miss me after my wedding. After all, every father goes through the pain of seeing their daughter holding another man's hand instead of his own.

"You've grown so much, just like your mother, my sweetie. You are beautiful and brave, just like her. I hope she is watching you from above and giving you her blessing as you embark on this new phase of your life," he finished, patting my shoulder gently before planting a kiss on my forehead.

Unable to contain my own emotions and sensing my father's hidden feelings, my arms instinctively reached out to embrace him tightly. "I'm going to miss you, Papa," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. He nodded his head, his eyes reflecting the same sentiment, before gently pulling away to hold my hand.

"It's getting late, my sweetie. We should start making our way," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and acceptance. He called for the ladies to help carry my dress, signaling that it was time to move.

AISLE ENTRANCE

Anxiety coursed through my veins as I clung tightly to my father's arm, desperately trying to calm my racing emotions. The host's announcement of the bride's arrival only heightened my nervousness, sending a wave of anticipation through my entire being.

My hands felt as cold as ice, and my heart pounded in my chest as I saw the gates opening, signaling my entrance. The music for the bride's appearance played softly in the background, but it felt like my feet had turned to stone, making it difficult to take even a single step.

"I understand that you're nervous, my sweetheart. Please try to stay calm," my father's words reached my ears, but they were muffled by the overwhelming rush of emotions that consumed me.

Behind me stood six bridesmaids, arranged in two lines, each holding a mini bouquet in their hands. Beside me stood my maid of honor, my best friend Lily, dressed in a beautiful peach-colored mermaid-shaped dress, clutching a bouquet similar to mine. In front of us, two adorable flower girls held baskets filled with flower petals, ready to scatter them along the aisle path.