An Early Engagement - Chapter 43 - Crack
“Oh my? Have you lost some weight?” The seamstress tilted her head in puzzlement.
“I thought you’d indulge in sweet desserts during your vacation, so I took the measurements a bit generously… What should we do? It seems like there’s too much extra fabric now.”
At the seamstress’s concerned tone, Shirley let out a small sigh.
Shirley had always had a sweet tooth, loving cakes and cookies, so it was common for her to gain a little weight after summer vacations. It had been a habit.
That’s why the dress for the upcoming birthday party was always made with a bit of extra room in anticipation.
But this year was different.
They say emotional distress is the best diet, and it turned out to be true. With Damian leaving her alone at the villa, Shirley had been so preoccupied with thoughts of him that her appetite had waned. She barely ate, and as a result, she had lost weight instead.
“What should we do now?”
“We’ll have to make urgent alterations, Miss Shirley,” the seamstress said with a determined expression.
“I’m sorry for making you work twice.”
“Not at all! In fact, thinking about creating a dress that will perfectly fit this delicate figure of yours already makes my heart race, Miss.”
“But losing more weight would be a problem. Goodness, just look at how your cheeks have thinned. I understand you might be nervous with the wedding approaching, but losing too much weight isn’t good for you. You’re already beautiful as you are, Miss.”
The dressmaker’s smooth tongue effortlessly poured out compliments toward her valued customer.
“Alright. Please take care of the dress alterations,” Shirley replied vaguely, forcing a smile.
“Leave it to me. I’ll make sure there are no delays for the birthday party schedule.” The dressmaker clapped her hands, and the seamstress quickly took new measurements, marking the areas to be adjusted with pins.
After the tedious fitting session, Shirley hurriedly called Sophie and asked again about something she had already confirmed multiple times.
“Damian?”
“Huh?”
“Has there been any word from him?”
Sophie shook her head quickly at Shirley’s frustrated question.
“Nothing, miss. Oh my, are you alright?” Shirley felt her legs wobble, her energy draining away.
“You haven’t been eating well since we left the villa… Should I bring you some snacks?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Shirley waved her hand dismissively. Even the sweetest treat in the world would taste bitter to her right now.
After returning from the summer vacation at the villa, Damian hadn’t come to see her.
She had expected him to visit her as soon as they returned, but over a week had passed, and there was still no word from him. This left Shirley utterly bewildered.
A whole week without seeing Damian?
No, a whole week without Damian seeking her out?
To others, it might sound like she was overreacting, but for them, it was unheard of.
In a year, the number of days Shirley went without seeing Damian could be counted on one hand. They were always together.
“……”
And especially after what had happened at the villa.
How could there be no contact at all? How could he not come to see me?
Shirley couldn’t comprehend the situation, and her appetite had completely vanished because of it.
“If it’s really bothering you, perhaps you could reach out to the Elpart Ducal House first…”
“Absolutely not.”
Shirley shook her head vehemently, horrified at the suggestion.
“But waiting like this isn’t helping—”
“Who said I’m waiting?”
Shirley snapped back, then flopped down onto the sofa.
What Sophie said wasn’t wrong, but for some reason, Shirley couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Reach out first? She could hardly remember a time—if ever—when she had been the one to contact Damian first.
The reason was simple.
Damian had always been the one to reach out first, and even without her seeking him out, he had always been by her side.
It was like water that was always within reach to drink or air that flowed effortlessly into her lungs with every breath.
Things she never had to strive for, never had to desperately wish or wait for.
But now…
“Instead of waiting, why not send someone to invite Damian? He must be very busy.”
“I said no!”
Shirley shot up from the sofa and yelled.
At her sharp tone, Sophie didn’t say another word and quickly left the room. Left alone, Shirley huffed and threw a nearby cushion across the room.
How could he just leave me like this?
Especially with her birthday just around the corner. At this time of year, what would Damian usually do?
He would go to great lengths to figure out what gift she wanted.
He never outright asked what she wanted, yet somehow, as if he could read her mind, he always managed to give her exactly what she desired most.
The birthday gifts Damian had given her over the years were scattered throughout her room.
The teddy bear from her 9th birthday, the dollhouse from her 11th, the carved willow bird model from her 13th, the carousel music box from her 14th…
Even outside of birthdays, Damian had given her countless gifts, all of which she cherished deeply.
But this year, there was no sign of Damian trying to figure out what she wanted.
No, in fact, ever since her fiancé, who used to frequent the Lafez Ducal House to see her, had suddenly stopped coming, Shirley had been feeling something she couldn’t quite put into words.
She had started biting her nails so often that not only were her carefully grown nails ruined, but the skin around them was torn and bleeding frequently.
Eventually, the Duchess of Lafez couldn’t stand it anymore and began inspecting Shirley’s hands regularly.
What if…
What if he doesn’t show up for the birthday party either?
“……”
Damian had always escorted her as her fiancé at every birthday celebration.
In front of everyone, she would become the star of the day, dancing with Damian, receiving envy and congratulations, surrounded by mountains of gifts, and having the happiest birthday imaginable.
It was something she had taken for granted every year, but this year, a sudden wave of anxiety hit her—what if it didn’t happen?
“Impossible…?”
It was a thought she had never entertained before.
Damian, not escorting her?
