Clarissa's fiancé, Albert, was also in the store. Seeing Luana come in, he greeted her.
Luana smiled back and asked, "Where's Clarissa?"
Albert gestured towards the fitting room, saying, "She's trying on her wedding dress. Have a seat."
Luana and Albert had known each other for a long time, so she didn't hesitate to sit down in the seating area.
Ever since her high fever, Luana had been feeling increasingly weak and tired, often unable to stand firmly.
This was a symptom of late-stage heart failure, where the heart's pumping function was severely reduced, leading to blood pooling in systemic and pulmonary circulation, causing insufficient blood supply to brain tissue and resulting in brain cell ischemia and hypoxia.
With ischemia and hypoxia, fatigue and somnolence were common.
Sitting on the sofa for just a few minutes, she was already dozing off, her head propped up.
Fortunately, Clarissa quickly emerged from the fitting room, calling Luana's name, which woke her from her drowsiness.
Clarissa, unaware of Luana's condition, twirled around in her large wedding dress in front of Luana and Albert, asking, "What do you think?"
Luana mustered her energy and smiled, "Gorgeous."
Albert chimed in, "You look good in anything."
Clarissa hit his shoulder, teasing him for his flattery, while Albert affectionately ruffled her hair.
Seeing Clarissa and Albert, who had been together for eight years, still so stable and harmonious, reassured Luana.
Albert had made his way up through hard work, was well-mannered and honest, and Clarissa believed he knew the value of a good life, thus cherishing his family even more.
Luana felt secure about Clarissa's decision to commit to Albert, and as long as Clarissa was happy, Luana wouldn't interfere.
Clarissa's custom wedding dress was expensive, and the bridal shop offered a complimentary bridesmaid dress.
Clarissa picked a champagne-colored dress for Luana to try on.
Unable to refuse, Luana tried it on, but she had lost so much weight that the dress was loose on her.
Clarissa felt Luana's waist, noting the lack of flesh, all bones, and looked at Luana's pale face with concern, "Luana, why have you lost so much weight?"
Fearing Clarissa's worry, Luana reassured her, "I wanted to lose some weight for your wedding."
Clarissa frowned and advised, "You're already as thin as a stick. Stop dieting. Listen to me. From now on, you must eat three hamburgers every meal!"
Albert couldn't help but laugh, "Three hamburgers per meal? What would Luana look like then?"
Clarissa huffed, "No matter what shape Luana is in, she's beautiful."
Albert nodded, "Alright, alright, no matter what, Luana is always beautiful. Now, can you come with me to try on makeup?"
With Albert's diversion, Clarissa forgot to continue lecturing Luana and pulled her toward the makeup room.
After trying out the wedding day makeup at the bridal shop and going over the wedding rundown at the hotel, Albert took Clarissa and Luana out for a meal before sending them home.
Clarissa rested for a while after getting home and began to pack her things.
Albert had bought a marital home, and Clarissa would move there after the wedding.
"Luana, once I move into the marital home, this little home will be yours. You must guard our home well, okay?" For Clarissa, having Luana in their small apartment was like having her family home, which made her feel at ease.
"Sure," Luana smiled and nodded, taking the clothes from Clarissa and folding them neatly.
Clarissa picked out some clothes from the wardrobe, deciding not to pack them anymore.
Although she was getting married, she would still come back often to keep Luana company.
Luana understood Clarissa's thoughts and didn't say anything.
After helping Clarissa fold the clothes and put them into boxes, she smiled and said, "I have a wedding gift for you."
Clarissa smiled, "What kind of gift?"
"Wait a moment," Luana went back to her bedroom, opened a drawer, took out a bank card, and handed it to Clarissa.
"This is some money I've saved for you. Take it as your private funds."
Over the years, Luana had divided her salary into several parts. One to repay Cline, one for Clarissa, and one for daily expenses.
She didn't spend much of her salary on herself, saving most of it. After repaying Cline, she had about 50,000 left.
She hoped it would give Clarissa peace of mind in case of any future troubles.
Moreover, since the money was earned by her own labor, Clarissa could accept it with ease.