Gasps filled the ballroom as Adrien helped me up to my feet, holding me gently by the elbow. Heads turned and I felt a million eyes on me.
"What are you doing?" I whispered, my teeth clenched.
He didn't answer. Instead, he took my hand and led me to the middle of the room, where the chandelier lit us up in gold. Each movement was fluid yet curated—like I was a dancer on a thin rope.
Behind the mirrored stand next to the auctioneer stood a white-gloved waiter, as still and beautiful as a statue, a smooth box already waiting like an unopened secret.
Adrien didn't hesitate. He reached for the box, opened it with a quick snap and pulled out the stunning necklace.
Everyone gasped.
The emerald glowed under the lights─ deep, vivid green, alive and striking, the diamonds coiled around it like a serpent protecting its heart.
He moved behind me.
"No─Adrien, don't─" I tried to pull away, feeling panicked. But I wasn't fast enough.
