tried everything-anger, threats, guilt-but I refused to change my decision. My stepmother called me se
entually, they realized they couldn't force me to sign the transfer papers. So t
ront of the mirror in my room, adjusting the simple black dress I had chosen for the evenin
expected me to be. Tonight was the Kingsley Charity Gala. A hi
th my family. But the first time I attended... I me
n Kin
ng tighten in my chest because of the stran
e had never truly been close. At lea
rings from the dresser an
er part was guilt. Because Lily had liked him first. Or at least, that's what she told me. So I convinced
had been. If Lily truly loved him, she
ownstairs. "Serena!
e lea
grabbed my small evening ba
er in the front seats, while Lily sat beside me in the back. She kept glanci
nore
toward the Kingsley Grand Hotel. When we finally arrive
tographers stood behind velvet ropes, snapping pictures of every influential gue
. Her smile became sweeter
ut of the ca
Flash.
l familiar businessmen while my stepmother waved poli
e ballroom. Looking for him. Inside, the
across the room. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowd carrying
room. Politicians. CEOs. Investors. But there w
near the center of the room, surrounded b
bered. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black
. His sharp jawline and calm expression gave him an almost intimidating presence. But it w
at he was thinking. Tonight didn't seem any different.
the moment stretched strangely long. For a sec
ts from the photographers. All I could see was him.
gnit
We hadn't met yet in this timeline. Yet Adrian
But then something happened that made my pulse quicken. Adri
d deliberate. The crowd parted almost automatically to let
nd yet he was moving towards me. He shouldn't
o. Her hand sudden
she whispered. Her voice held a m
t of us. Up close, his presence felt even more overwhelming. His gaze
sent a strange chill throu
eared on his lips. But it
y heart skipped a beat. Because something a
ght crossed my mi
? But Adrian continued looking at m
in the past... I wondered if I wasn't t
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