-No Sign Of Her Brother-

"I don't feel like eating right now," Verena said, pushing away a slice of apple that came near her. 

She glanced at Juliette, who sat across from her and added, "Julie, we have a lot of time until the evening. Rest assured, babe."

Juliette sighed, put the apple back, and replied, "No, we don't have much time left. The makeup artist will be here soon, and then you won't have any time to even move."

"Don't say that," Verena murmured, her eyes widening. This time, she picked up the plate and started eating.

Changing the topic, Verena asked, "By the way, how far has your collection reached?"

Juliette also took a bite and replied, "It's almost done. But we still need one or two months to complete all the procedures. I am very busy, you know."

Verena nodded understandingly. "I see. I see."

Just then, a maid entered the room and announced, "Young Miss, the makeup artists are here." Verena nodded at them.

Julie teased, "Look what I told you. You don't have any more time now."

Verena smiled and repeated, "I see. I see."

"Shut up! Shut up!" They both burst out laughing as the makeup artists were brought into the room.

Meanwhile, Ariana received a notification about an event she had been invited to that night.

"A new brand has opened, and they've invited some popular influencers since getting actresses was difficult and expensive."

She explained this to her assistant, Jen. "Check my dresses. No, bring all of them. After so many days, I'm finally invited as an influencer."

"I'll do that right away," Jen responded before ending the call.

Ariana thought to herself, 'Just you wait, after I come back into the limelight that has always been mine. I want to see your face then.' She left her room and headed to the dining area for lunch.

As the evening descended, the stars started shining, casting a glow over the grand mansion. What was once plain now gleamed with lights. 

Fountains were meticulously decorated and adorned with lights, and the windows were left open to allow the refreshing breeze to enter, as the number of guests at the Heisenberg mansion had been steadily increasing.

Marvin, overseeing the preparations, shouted at a servant, "Why did you put it here? I told you to leave this place empty for the entrance."

Cullen was standing behind Marvin and lazily remarked, "Take it easy, brother. Everything looks perfect for tonight."

Marvin retorted, "You haven't done anything in this wedding; just wait for your turn. Louis will not do anything for yours either."

Cullen shrugged. 

"Whatever, I'll forget what I have to do next if I keep talking to you. Move aside." Marvin pushed Cullen to the side and walked away. 

"Has Marcelo arrived yet?" Cullen inquired of a nearby servant.

"No, young master, we haven't seen him arrive," the servant replied. He added, "Do you want me to go check his quarter?" 

Marvin considered it for a moment and then said, "No need to check. If he hasn't arrived yet, he's on his way. He'll definitely attend Louis's wedding tonight."

Cullen went to his room without further wandering and found Louis there, looking somewhat dishevelled.

"What's the groom doing in my room? Have you changed your mind? Do you want to run?" Cullen playfully asked, though his expression was serious.

Louis punched Cullen lightly in the stomach, and Cullen dramatically flopped onto the bed. "You hit me? Alas, I can't hit you, as you seem to be the groom."

"Shut up; I am the groom. I came to check on you. Why aren't you ready yet?" Louis questioned, noting Cullen's appearance.

"Relax, I don't take much time to get ready; you know me," Cullen replied casually.

"I want you to look your best tonight," Louis insisted.

Cullen playfully mused, "I was wondering if I'd find my soulmate tonight."

Louis firmly said, "No, you won't."

"Then I'm not wearing my favourite suit to a boring event," Cullen declared.

Louis exclaimed, "What do you say? What do you just say?" Cullen rushed into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

"Idiot! You're my groomsmen. Get ready and come out. You have to see things," Louis called through the door.

Louis eventually emerged from the room, and as he left the room, he noticed Rosie and Olivia approaching him. 

He acknowledged Rosie but ignored Olivia, not addressing her as a mother or aunt.

Rosie finally saw him and didn't let the opportunity to tease him go. "Oh, brother, how are you? Did you sleep peacefully last night?"

Louis replied with a smirk, "I've never slept so peacefully."

Rosie chuckled and said, "I'll tell my sister-in-law that you're lying then."

Louis shrugged, "Whatever." Afterward, Olivia remained standing there. 

Louis nodded at her and walked away, not addressing her by name or as a mother.

Ever since she had become his stepmother, he had never called her anything other than stepmother.'

Verena sat nervously in the car, her mind racing with thoughts.

The car was getting closer and Verena could now feel fatigue and dizziness from the rollercoaster of emotions from the day that even though she wanted to ponder her situation more, her mind began to float like clouds drifting aimlessly.

Verena had been unable to sleep the few days before her wedding because of thoughts about her wedding.

She felt lightheaded and dizzy and she tried to find the right position for her to sleep, before she arrive there, but to her dismay.

Whenever she did manage to nod off, the car bounced on the rough patches on the road and she was awakened again.

At times it was so bad that she nearly bumped her head against the wall. The driver apologized and Verena could only nod before thinking she didn't have right to sleep for a second too.

Her wedding was a secret and only the relatives of Heisenberng's knew about it. Common people didn't even know that Louis Heisenberng was silently marrying in night.

She didn't have any family members by her side, as she had asked Louis to find her missing brother, Aaron.

"I'm sorry, Verena, but my people are unable to locate him," Louis had told her a few days ago. 

"They've checked his school and his friends' houses, but there's no hint. It's possible he left the country or something terrible happened. Otherwise, there are still chances they'll find him before our wedding."

Verena was adamant. "No, I believe nothing happened to him. He's still alive. He can't leave me alone, like my mother. He will not—"

"Verena... Ve—"

"Huh? What happened?" Verena snapped out of her thoughts as she felt someone shake her. 

Juliette looked into Verena's eyes and sighed. "We've arrived," she declared.