CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE: DRESSING THE BRIDE

Claire shook her head, wiping at her eyes. "No, it's not your fault. It's just... when did this become about everyone but us? This isn't the wedding I dreamed of." Mason's jaw clenched, a determined look settling over his features. "You're right. This has gotten out of hand. I'll talk to my mother, try to rein her in." "And what about my mom?" Claire asked, her voice small. "She feels so left out, but every time she tries to contribute, your mother shuts her down." Mason sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We'll figure it out. Maybe we should consider eloping," he added with a wry smile. Claire gave a watery chuckle. "Don't tempt me." As the weeks passed, the tension between Daniela and Evelyn only seemed to grow. Daniela, true to form, had taken control of nearly every aspect of the wedding planning. Claire would often wake up to dozens of emails detailing decisions that had been made without her input. One morning, as Claire and Mason sat at their kitchen island, scrollin