Vote (9.3x)


    Chapter 0426


    Since we needed special costumes for the event, the candidates, Julian, and Nichs all attended a


    group fitting in one of therger sitting rooms. Thisrge room had several smaller rooms connected,


    where individuals could go to change or have more personal measurements taken.


    My costume was a darker hue, since I was apparently a viin. The seamstress working with me also


    indicated that Bridget wanted me to wear a domino mask over my eyes. The seamstress said it would


    help me look mysterious, but I wondered if it was to help hide my terrible acting.


    I could read lines okay, but I never could get my face to make the correct emotions. Except, of course,


    during the rejection scene with Nichs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bridget wanted me to remove the


    mask for that one scene alone.


    Across the room, Bridget was personally helping Elva with her flower girl costume. Nichs was there


    too. Elva would pick ribbons for her hair then hold them up for Nichs to see. He smiled and nodded


    at each one.


    At the same time, he was being fitted for a bright white cape that would be impossible to keep clean


    under normal circumstances.


    Movement sounded to my right. I expected Veronica or Tiffany or even Julian to have made their way


    over to me, but I startle when I realize Susie is the one who stepped into the open space beside me.


    She was calm, if not a bit curious looking around, taking in everything she missed.


    I desperately wanted to talk to her, to find out everything going on with her, but with so many people


    around, I was afraid to open my mouth in case. someone might overhear me.


    ncing at me, she must have caught the conflict on my face.


    1/5


    “We’re keeping things private until we can figure out the best way


    forward,” she said softly to me, giving me a kind smile. It was a relief to see her so happy, after the


    misery she’d been through the past few days.


    Leaning closer, she whispered, “But we are going to stay together no matter what.”


    It would be difficult for them. They’d have lots of challenges. But I was so pleased for them. If they truly


    loved each other, they would make it through the hardship. They’d make it work, and they’d be a happy


    little family.


    “I’m d you’re back,” I told her.


    Her smile grew wider. At least, it did, until she looked back over the rest of the group and her gaze


    snagged on Bridget helping Elva tie ribbons in her hair. With Nichs so close and attentive beside


    them, they looked like their


    own little family.


    It made my stomach twist into knots.


    “That’s… new,” Susie said.


    “Yes,” I replied.


    Susie nced at me sideways. “Are you’re okay with it?”


    I shrugged. Of course not, but, “What choice do I have? Elva is enjoying herself. Nichs says Bridget


    is trustworthy. How can I pull Elva away without being aplete and total asshole to all of them?”


    Susie went quiet. I didn’t know what else to say either.


    A tailor came over to help Susie with her costume. Since she had taken my ce as the maid, her


    outfit was fairly straightforward, a simple maid outfit with an apron and ace headband. They just


    needed her general size.


    The pregnancy was still early. She wouldn’t show for some time. I wondered how long she and Mark


    could keep it a secret.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    As long as they could, I imagined.


    Just then, Elva came running over to us, her ribbons bouncing along


    behind her.


    “Mommy! Susie! Look!”


    Her dress was bouncyyers withce and ribbons that matched the ones in her hair. She gave us a


    spin so we could see the full effect. The colors trailed along behind her.


    She was absolutely adorable, a vision in pink and purples. And her bright smile was the best part.


    Nichs had been right to want to include her in the y, and I was once again grateful to him for his


    insight and kindness.


    “You look beautiful,” I said.


    “Nickss helped pick the colors,” Elva said. She tugged at the ribbons in her hair a little, trying to pull


    them closer to her face to see them. “Auntie tied them.”


    My thoughts skidded to an abrupt halt. Auntie?


    The only person Elva called aunt was Anna. I would have been fine if she’d wanted to use the term for


    Susie, or Charlotte, or even Veronica. But… Bridget? They’d only just met.


    Nichs might have said that Bridget was trustworthy but… to already be so close to warrant such a


    nickname? It felt like too much, too soon, from someone I wasn’t sure had Elva’s best interest at heart,


    regardless of what


    Nichs said.


    Susie and I shared a quick look. Susie looked worried. Good. I was d I wasn’t the only one, then.


    I cleared my throat. None of this was Elva’s fault, and I didn’t want toe off too harshly and hurt her


    identally. She was such a sweet little girl, always looking to please people.


    So, very gently, I asked her, “Auntie?”


    Her bright smile faltayed slightly, which made saw mega cinemas le dia Was feeling confident about the


    theme, the world counter totent


    “Bree jet Wanted me to call her that.”


    “Piper!” Bridget sald brightly as die rushed over. “Wir do you think of little Elva’s outfit? Isn’t she a


    perfect doll?”


    She wasn’t a doll, she was a girl. “Did you sak talve to call you butler asked. Elva’s clear difort set


    of all my protective inertiarts. My impulse for politeness was firmly out the window.


    Bridgetughed lightly, “Oh, yes I’m so sorry, Piper Tolyat I meant to ask you if it was okay first. But


    then I was helping the with Nicholes.”


    was


    She turned around to point out Nicholes, who we cautiously watching us from a few feet away while he


    spoke with his own tailor. He taen his ne cape over her shoulders, and looked rather handsome in it.


    He’d out quite the figure as a dashing hero in the y. The audience would be pleased


    I’d be pleased to see him like that too. But not right now. Now I had problems that all began and ended


    with Bridget.


    “Nichs was helping too,” Bridget continued. “Did you notice us? It was such a sweet little moment. It


    felt so familiar, like we were a family or something.” Sheughed again, light and airy as a twinkle of a


    bell “Could you imagine? Oh, what a beautiful possibility.”


    “Elva is my daughter,” I reminded her.


    “Oh, I know,” she said smoothly. “That’s why I asked her to call me


    Auntie. I thought she could call Nichs Uncle, but we’re still working on that.”


    Uncle?


    “Nickss is Nickss,” Elva said, and crossed her arms.


    “I’ll convince you someday,” she said with a wink.


    “I don’t think so,” I said. I crossed my arms too, mimicking my daughter


    Bridget just smiled wider. “Oh, Piper. Elva is so cute, I couldn’t help but want to be her Auntie. You must


    understand, since she is your daughter. Surely it’s okay, right?”


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