Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 39: Chapter 38 Stunning

The next evening arrived quickly.

Daisy had spent the whole day in her small room, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

A knock came at her door. Daisy opened it to find a servant holding a large white box tied with a silk ribbon.

"For you, ma’am," the servant said, not meeting her eyes. "From Mr. Evermont."

Daisy took the box with trembling hands. She carried it to her bed and untied the ribbon. She lifted the lid.

Her breath caught.

Inside was a beautiful dress.

The dress was a deep, dark shade of red. The color of ripe cherries. The fabric was soft and flowing, with delicate lace work on the neck that spread across the shoulders like frozen vines. The sleeves were long and sheer, ending in tiny buttons at the wrists. The waist was cinched with a thin satin ribbon. The skirt fell just below her knees, elegant, modest, and beautiful.

Daisy touched the lace with her fingertips. It was soft, delicate and expensive.

Cedric had bought this for her for the first time. She smiled.

A second knock came.

"Ma’am, the makeup artist is here."

Daisy’s eyes widened. A makeup artist? She had never worn makeup in her life. Not really. A little lip balm here, a touch of loose powder there but never anything like this, even when Cedric took her to parties.

She opened the door.

A young woman with kind eyes and a warm smile stood in the hallway, carrying a large black case.

"Hello, dear. I am Sofia. Mr. Evermont sent me. May I come in?"

Daisy nodded quickly and stepped aside.

Sofia entered the small room and looked around. Her eyes swept over the old furniture, the knitted carpet, the scarf drying by the window. She did not comment. She simply smiled and set down her case.

"Let me see you," Sofia said, tilting her head. "Turn around. Let me look at your face."

Daisy obeyed, her cheeks flushing.

Sofia studied her for a long moment, then she smiled.

"You have a beautiful bone structure, high cheekbones, a delicate jaw, and your eyes..." She shook her head. "Those eyes are going to be the death of someone someday. Do you know that?"

Daisy’s blush deepened.

Sofia opened her case and began pulling out brushes, palettes, and small glass bottles. "Sit down, dear. Let me make you shine."

Daisy sat on the edge of her bed, her hands folded in her lap, her heart pounding.

Sofia worked quickly, her touch gentle, her movements precise. She applied a light foundation that matched Daisy’s fair skin. She dusted a soft pink blush across her cheeks. She lined her dark eyes with a thin stroke of black, then added a touch of gold shimmer to the corners.

"You have the longest eyelashes I have ever seen," Sofia murmured. "I do not even need to use false ones."

Daisy blinked, her lashes brushing against her cheeks.

Sofia finished with her lips, a soft, rosy color, not too dark, not too bright, the perfect shade to complement the red dress.

"Close your eyes," Sofia said.

Daisy obeyed.

Sofia sprayed a fine mist over her face. Something that smelled like roses and morning dew.

"Open."

Daisy opened her eyes.

Sofia held up a small mirror, and Daisy looked at her reflection. She did not recognize herself.

Her dark eyes looked larger, brighter, framed by soft gold and dark lashes. Her cheeks had a healthy, rosy glow. Her lips were soft and pink and looked like they belonged in a painting.

She was beautiful.

She had always been beautiful, she supposed but she had never seen it. Not like this.

"Now the dress," Sofia said, stepping back. "I will wait outside. Take your time."

She left.

Daisy stood up on shaky legs. She removed her baggy white dress and let it fall to the floor. She picked up the red dress and stepped into it.

The fabric slid over her skin like water.

She pulled up the zipper at the back, her fingers fumbling with the small tab. She tied the satin ribbon at her waist, pulling it tight. She adjusted the lace on her neck, spreading it across her shoulders.

She turned to the mirror and stared at herself in shock.

Stunning.

The dark red dress made her fair skin look like porcelain. The lace on her neck drew attention to her delicate collarbone and the graceful line of her throat. The satin ribbon emphasized her small waist. The flowing skirt moved with her, soft and elegant.

Her caramel hair was loose around her shoulders, soft waves catching the light. Her dark eyes sparkled. Her cheeks were flushed. Her lips were pink and soft.

Daisy pressed her hand to her chest. Her heart was pounding.

A knock sounded on the door.

"Ready?" Sofia called.

Daisy opened the door, and Sofia’s eyes widened. Her lips parted. She stared for a long moment, then shook her head.

"Oh, dear. Oh, dear, dear, dear." She smiled. "He is not going to know what hit him."

Daisy tilted her head in question.

Sofia just laughed. "Go. He is waiting downstairs."

When Daisy went downstairs, Cedric was waiting for her in the grand foyer.

But he was not alone.

Jenna stood beside him, her arms crossed over her chest, her sharp blue eyes burning with disapproval. She was wearing an elegant black gown, her silver-streaked hair pinned up in an elaborate twist. She looked every inch the powerful matriarch of the Evermont family.

And she was furious.

"I cannot believe you are doing this," Jenna hissed, her voice low but sharp. "This event is important. CEOs, investors, foreign delegates. And you want to bring her?"

Cedric ran his hand through his hair, already exhausted by the conversation. "Mom, what can I even do? I was supposed to bring my wife. The invitation said ’spouses’ I cannot show up alone. People will talk."

"People will talk anyway," Jenna snapped. "They will see her and they will notice she does not speak. Then they will judge. She will embarrass you. She will embarrass this family."

Cedric’s jaw tightened. "She is my wife. Whether you like it or not."

Jenna’s eyes flashed. "A wife in name only, a wife you never wanted, a wife your grandfather forced on you." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Do not pretend to care about her now, Cedric. I know you. I raised you. You are doing this because you have no other choice."

Cedric opened his mouth to respond. But then he heard footsteps, which caught his attention.

Light footsteps, soft and delicate. Coming down the stairs.

He turned and his mouth opened. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened.