Finally, at exactly 9:12 p.m., the grand doors parted once more.
The conversations around the ballroom gradually faded as heads turned toward the entrance.
Adrian had finally arrived.
He stepped into the lavish ballroom with slow, measured strides, dressed in a sharply tailored midnight-black three-piece suit. His pale complexion contrasted subtly against the dark fabric, while his composed expression revealed nothing of the illness he was fighting.
Beside him, Leah walked gracefully in an elegant champagne-colored gown, their hands loosely intertwined as she quietly matched his pace. To everyone watching, they looked like a perfectly composed pair making a fashionable entrance.
From across the ballroom, Matteo's eyes found him instantly. His carefully maintained composure cracked as his heart slammed violently against his ribs.
The wait was finally over.
Mark leaned closer to Matteo, a teasing glint in his eyes.
