Isla’s POV
The island never looked louder than it did on the night of the gala. Every street leading toward the waterfront was lined with lanterns shaped like stars, glowing in colors so bright they turned the evening sky into a painting. Boats gathered near the pier below, strung with lights that reflected across the water like shattered constellations. Music drifted from the town square where the event had been arranged beneath a canopy of flowers, banners, and a stage built for speeches and charity announcements. The world was waiting for us to appear. Not just the island community, but the entire audience watching through cameras pointed like telescopes from every corner.
The villa was silent before the storm.
Malia helped zip the back of the dress Chase gave me, fingers quick and g
