KASMINE.

    Ever heard of the word crazy?

    Kester Hamilton was crazy. The man had gotten me a wedding dress even before I’de to terms with the idea of ever being with him.

    Speak of positivity and determination.

    And it fit perfectly. The intricate designs, the

    I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and God knows I was doing everything in my power not to shed a tear. I didn’t want to ruin my makeup for the second time today. My chest was tight, and my hands fidgeted in myp as the maids moved around me.

    And then my gaze slid down the gown again. It was impossible not to. The fabric shimmered faintly under the lights. Kester had a maddening talent for choosing the best of everything – and this dress was proof. He didn’t just have good taste; he had unforgiving taste.

    Everyone busied themselves, putting the final touches on my hair, my face, my dress b– /bevery detail had to be perfect. The rustle of silk, the faint scent of fresh flowers, the click of heels across the floor – it all made the moment feel more real.

    “Get her shoes. We’re runningte, Mum ordered one of the maids as she stepped into my space with a wide smile.

    “Baby… I’m so proud of you, my love.” She smiled softly, her hand finding mine. I could see the tears gathering in her eyes. She’s going to make me cry.

    “Thank you, mummy,” I said with a smile.

    She was happy. She was moving on very well. She seemed to be the only one moving on, because Dad was still locked up in his study, barely ever talking to anyone.

    “I owe you an apology,” she said suddenly, and I signaled for the maids to excuse us.

    “What apology, Mum?” I blinked, /For what?”

    Her lips trembled. “For… almost ruining your happiness. For letting my own opinion blind me. I was bso /bcaught up in what I thought was right, in protecting you from what I thought would hurt you, that I nearly destroyed the very thing that makes you happy.”

    “Mum…” I whispered, shaking my head.

    b1/3 /b

    “No, let me finishb./bb” /bHer hand cupped my cheek, her thumb brushing against bmy /bskin, “I can see if now, Kasmine. I can bsee /bhow he looks at you, I can

    see how you look at him. That bkind /bbof /blove… She swallowed hard, her voice breaking. “It’s rare. And it’s yours. And I will never stand bin /bthe way of it again.”

    A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.

    “I just want you to have everything you’ve ever wished for,” she continued, her eyes locked on mine. “A home filled with love, a man who fights for you every single day, and children who will know what it means to be loved unconditionally. I want you to live the kind of happiness I once dreamed for myself but never had.”

    There was no holding back anymore. By now, I was crying freely.

    She smiled through her own tears. “And after today… after this weddingb, /bI’m going to step away for a while. I need to heal, baby. I need to let go of everything that’s been eating at me since the divorceb. /bSo I’m going away for a few months.”

    The words hit me hard, “What? Where?”

    “Somewhere quiet. Somewhere I can breathe again.” She let out a shakyugh. “But I promise I’ll be back in time to wee my grandchildren into this wonderful world. I wouldn’t miss that moment for the world.”

    The dam broke for both of us. I stood and wrapped my arms around her. She held me just as tightly,

    our tears mixing on my cheek.

    “I love you so much, Mum,” I choked out.

    “I love you more, my sweet girl,” she whispered back in a trembling voice. “And I am bso/bb, /bso proud of

    the woman you’ve be.”

    ***

    lors

    The sun was soft, spilling gold over the garden like it had been told this was our day and dared not, outshine it. Flowers lined both sides of the aisle — roses, lilies, white orchids – blooming

    that looked too perfect to be real.

    –

    Guests were all smiles and teeth as they watched me walk down the aisle.

    My arm was tucked into Dad’s warm grip. He was trying to smile for me, and God, I wanted to believe it. But I knew the kind of heaviness he was trying so hard to suppress in order not to ruin bmy /bday. And there was this look in his gaze that told me this was as much a goodbye for him bas /bbit /bbwas /bba /bnew beginning for me.