Dare to Fall

Chapter XLIII

The morning sun poured into the hotel room, casting a warm glow that felt almost magical. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the delicate fabric of my pale grey gown. The soft silk shimmered slightly as I moved, and I couldn't help but smile at my reflection. It felt surreal that today was my mother's wedding day. The anticipation bubbled within me, but beneath that excitement was a nagging sense of unease I couldn't quite shake.

As I finished applying the final touches of makeup, I could hear the laughter of my mother and her bridesmaids in the background. Their joy was infectious, and part of me longed to fully immerse myself in it. I thought about how much this day meant to my mom, how it was supposed to symbolize a new beginning for her after everything she had been through. But still, something felt off.

Just then, a soft knock on the door broke my thoughts. It was Amelia. "Hey! You ready for this?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Almost," I replied, forcing a smile. But deep down, I felt a twist of anxiety in my stomach. It was just wedding jitters, I told myself. Everything was going to be fine.

Moments later, my mom appeared in the doorway, looking radiant in her elegant gown. But as I took in her appearance, I noticed something unsettling in her expression. "Hailey, can we talk for a minute?" Her voice was steady but serious.

A wave of concern washed over me as I nodded. "Sure, what's up?" I exchanged worried glances with Amelia before following my mom into a quieter area of the hotel.

"What's going on?" I asked, trying to read her face. My heart began to race.

"Hailey, I can't go through with the wedding," she said, the weight of her words hitting me like a ton of bricks.

"What?" My voice was barely above a whisper. "Mom, you're about to marry Liam! You can't just back out now!"

"I know it sounds sudden, but please hear me out," she replied, her eyes downcast as she gathered her thoughts. "Liam is a wonderful man. He truly is. But as I've been getting ready today, I've realized something. I thought marrying him would help me move on, but deep down, I'm still holding onto your father."

I felt my stomach drop at the mention of Dad. I had hoped this wedding would finally bring my mom the happiness she deserved—a chance to start anew. "But you've seemed so happy with him," I protested, my heart aching for her.

"I thought I was," she admitted, tears welling in her eyes. "But I can't just date someone to fill a void that only your father can fill. I've tried to convince myself that I could let go of the past and embrace a new life, but it doesn't feel right. I still love him, Hailey. No matter how much time has passed, he's still the love of my life. I can't marry someone else and pretend that I can forget."

A lump formed in my throat as I processed her words. I wanted my mom to be happy, but I didn't want her to feel trapped in a relationship that didn't feel genuine. "Are you sure about this? What will Liam say?"

"I have to tell him before it's too late," she said, her voice steadier now. "I care for Liam, and I don't want to hurt him. But I can't stand at that altar and make promises I'm not ready to keep. I want to be honest with myself, with you, and with him. I've been holding onto the idea of moving forward, but I can't leave your father behind. He deserves more than that."

I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around her. "I understand, Mom. It's okay to feel this way. I just want you to be truly happy."

My mom pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes. "Thank you for understanding. I know this wasn't easy for either of us, but I'm truly sorry for what I've put you through."