chapter 11

The days leading up to the wedding were a blur of preparations and anxious anticipation for Drea. Her parents, now seemingly more involved than ever, orchestrated every detail with meticulous precision. The ceremony was to be held at their sprawling estate, a spectacle of opulence and grandeur that felt more like a display of power than a celebration of love.

Drea, dressed in an elegant gown chosen by her mother, stood before the mirror in her room. Her reflection appeared poised and serene, but inside, her heart raced with uncertainty. She smoothed down the delicate lace of her dress, feeling more like a puppet in someone else's play than a bride on her wedding day.

The guests began to arrive in a steady stream, mingling in the expansive garden adorned with fairy lights and fragrant blooms. Drea's eyes searched the crowd nervously, but Sorin remained elusive, hidden behind a veil of polite smiles and distant conversations.

As the ceremony commenced, Drea felt a strange detachment fro