As she took a deep breath, the sweet scent of roses and lilies mixed with the stifling pressure of a wedding dress that felt more like a prison than a gown. Bella's mind flickered back to the countless dreams she had hidden beneath the veil of expectation—adventures in distant lands, nights under the stars, and the exhilarating rush of doing something utterly reckless. The idea of standing at the altar felt more like a noose tightening around her neck than a celebration of love.
