Chapter 556
Sitting inside the bride’s waiting room with Harper and her mother brings back old memories for Bella.
In the past, when Bella was still studying in the U.S., these two women never considered her an outsider. They always treated her as a family member.
Harper often felt that her mother was more biased toward Bella.
Just like now, Harper protested when she saw her mother giving Bella sweet cake while forbidding her from eating anything since she wore her wedding gown three hours ago. Her mother said it would be a disaster if she ate because it might cause her pretty gown to rip or get stained.
Sighing deeply, Harper narrowed her eyes at Bella and her mother, sitting on the sofa. At the same time, she waited on the bench for the wedding ceremony to begin.
“Mom, I also want that New York Cheesecake. Please give me a bite. I’m really craving something sweet right now,” Harper pleaded. Still, her mother only rolled her eyes and ignored her, continuing to talk to Bella.
“Ugh, Mom, seriously, I feel like my blood sugar is now dropping to the lowest. I might faint any minute now Harper continued, trying to scare her mother while giving her best puppy-dog eyes as she watched Bella slowly enjoy a slice of cake with a tiny spoon at a time.
After a few seconds, Bella turned to look at Harper while placing her empty plate on the table and gently wiping her mouth with a soft napkin. She smiled, admiring how beautiful her best friend looked in her wedding gown.
Harper’s wedding gown looks stunning, perfectly hugging and showing her curves. Her dark brown hair is styled in a bun and adorned with a beautiful tiara. Although Harper is already pretty, seeing her in this gown makes Bella feel like she’s gazing at a goddess who has just stepped down from heaven.
“Oh dear, Harper Reed, can you hold off for only a few hours? You don’t want to ruin your beautiful gown, right girl Bella said as she approached her.
“What Bella said is correct, my dear daughter. I stopped you from eating sweets because you need to maintain your weight. Also, don’t be envious of Bella; she’s a breastfeeding mom, and she needs to eat more,” Grace Harrison added with a warm smile at Bella before helping to adjust her daughter’s gown.
Harper shrugs, visibly disagreeing.
Bella stifled a laugh at the sight before her. She leaned closer and whispered, “Hold yourself together, girl; otherwise, you’ll look twice your weight in the video or picture appearing online after the ceremony She winks to tease her.
Instantly, Harper’s face turned panicked. “Oh no! How could I have forgotten about the media coverage?” She closed her eyes, trying to catch her breath and calm her nerves.
“And if you drink too much now, you might need to rush to the restroom in the middle of the ceremony. My friend, that would not be a pretty situation, right?” Bella added, heightening Harper’s stress.
“Yeah, yeah. I know… I know… maybe I’m just nervous. That’s why my sweet tooth demands to eat something,” Harper said helplessly.
“Nervous? You? Why are you nervous?” Grace Harrison asked, amused as she looked at her clearly anxious daughter. Harper was a girl who had always been independent and confident throughout her childhood. “Dear, everything will be alright; no need to stress about it. Just be yourself,” Grace continued.
Bella nodded, agreeing with Harper’s mother. However, she could relate to Harper’s feelings because she had experienced similar nerves. She pulled a refreshing mint candy from her clutch and offered it to Harper.
“Take this; chew it will help you feel calm p>
“Thanks, girl,” Harper replied. Once more at ease, she suddenly remembered her other friends and quickly asked Bella about them. Why did they not come in to meet her?
“Jack and the others are waiting in the garden. They wanted to follow me here, but security stopped them.” Bella silently sighed.
She felt guilty for being able to enter while the others were kept out. Security only allowed Tristan and her in because this place was reserved exclusively for family.
“I already complained to Sean about it, but he can’t do anything right now because of the presidential security,” Harper said with a bitter smile.
“Yeah, I understand,” Bella responded. She had already heard this from Tristan. Fortunately, Spencer’s family considered Tristan a member of their family.
Bella sat back on the sofa and asked, “Where is Sean p>
Since her arrival fifteen minutes ago, Bella hadn’t seen Sean at all. She had only met Keira, his little sister, and his parents.
“He was here before you arrived, but I guess he won’t be back because the ceremony is about to start,” Harper explained.
“I see Bella replied.
Soon after, Harper’s father entered with a few people, instructing them to return to the venue as the ceremony would begin shortly.
Bella and Grace Harrison hurried outside the hotel backyard to join the others. The wedding ceremony would take place in the garden behind the hotel, with beautiful city views in the distance.
This afternoon, media access is limited; reporters can only cover the event from a distance to avoid disturbing the ceremony or the high-profile guests.
The guest list for the ceremony is also restricted to close family and friends.
The main celebration will occur later in the evening. However, Bella plans to skip the party, as it will host many guests—potentially hundreds.
Bella rushed to sit next to Tristan in the second row of Spencer’s family, while Grace Harrison sat in the front row with her own family.
After settling into her seat, Bella noticed Sean standing at the front, looking handsome as he awaited his bride’s arrival.
A joyful smile spread across Bella’s face when Sean’s eyes met hers. She felt genuinely happy for him; he had finally found someone he would cherish for the rest of his life.
’Congrats, my dear friend, Sean Spencer Bella whispered silently.
As if sensing her feelings, Tristan gently squeezed her hands and tapped them softly, surprising Bella as she turned her gaze to him.
Bella smiled at her handsome husband.
She leaned closer and whispered, “Hubby, I’m so proud of Sean. I pray he will love and care for Harper forever, and they will have a happy marriage p>
“Why do we have the same prayer?” he replied, surprised.
“Because we are one…” Bella giggled as she noticed him leaning in to kiss her. She playfully stopped him, trying to focus on the wedding ceremony.
The sacred ceremony finally began p>