|Carmella|
The night had finally arrived.
The air hummed with excitement, a palpable buzz of anticipation as the guests began to fill the grand, exquisitely decorated hall. I stood beside Theodore, my heart racing beneath the calm facade I desperately tried to maintain. The weight of expectation was heavy, like an invisible pressure that seemed to tighten with each passing second. Beside me, Theodore looked every bit the commanding figure, his tailored suit sharp and impeccable, but I could sense the strain hidden beneath his polished demeanor.
When the master of ceremonies called for attention, the murmur of the crowd quieted, and I drew a deep breath, my fingers brushing over the smooth fabric of my dress in an attempt to quell my nerves. The spotlight swung toward us, casting an unne
