Rose Manor Ballroom


    The music slowed, and the sweep of M''s ck dress gradually settled, as did the flurry of rose petals drifting down onto the polished floor.


    M rested her hand lightly on Forrest''s arm. Her heart was racing, her breath slightly uneven... She''d agreed to this dance, but the ballroom itself was her own secret choice. This was the very ce where Lysander had once dragged her onto the floor, and she''d never quite forgotten it.


    As the music faded, her heartbeat still thundered in her chest. Yet, the fear that had once haunted her in this ballroom seemed to be slowly dissolving.


    "Thank you," she said quietly.


    It was an unexpected thing to say, but Forrest seemed to understand anyway. He didn''t question her, just slipped his uninjured arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Bowing his head, he gazed at the slightly startled woman in his arms, his voice low and teasing. "Anything else?"


    He was far too close.


    She could hear every breath, feel her pulse hammering in her ears.


    Despite having made up her mind, M was still unustomed to such intimacy. She pressed her hand against Forrest''s chest, attempting to create some space between them, but this time he didn''t let her go. If anything, he drew her in even


    more.


    "Mimi, what do you want to say?"


    He knew tonight wasn''t just about sharing a dance. He sensed, with a rising hope, that she was about to say something he''d longed to hear.


    But M still looked uncertain.


    He couldn''t afford to back down.


    He was about to urge her on when M suddenly seemed to make a decision. She bit her lip, her pale fingers gripping his crimson tie and yanking him down, catching himpletely off guard.


    He felt her warm breath against his ear, her voice trembling as she whispered, "There''s something I..."


    Just a few words.


    Brief, simple, but to Forrest, it crashed through him like a thunderbolt. He stood stunned and unmoving.


    What?


    He couldn''t process it.


    While he was still reeling, M had already ducked her head, cheeks flushed, unable to meet his eyes. "What... what do you think?" she asked softly.


    What did he think?


    Was there even a need to think?


    Forrest finally snapped back to himself, ready to blurt out a yes, but the words caught in his throat. His voice was rough with emotion as he asked, "Mimi, are you sure? Have you really thought this through?"


    M froze.


    She kept her eyes down, biting her lip and nodding hard. "Yes, I''m sure... I''m sorry."


    "I''m the one who should apologize," Forrest replied, gently closing his hand over M''s tense fingers still clinging to his tie. He sighed. "I didn''t realize how afraid you were. Of course I want this, but maybe we''re moving too fast. Let''s just


    "M!"


    A sudden shout from the doorway interrupted him. Both of them turned to see Miranda leaning against the doorframe, breathless, waving her phone.


    "Your son''s looking for you!"


    "Adrian wants me?"


    Maybe it was the weight of her recent decision, but M couldn''t help feeling guilty. She instinctively stepped away from Forrest to take the phone, but before she could, his hand closed gently around her wrist, stopping her.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked, meeting his eyes.


    Miranda, realizing the awkward tension, didn''t hesitate. She swiped the screen and answered the iing call herself.


    "Chairman Suthend?"


    "Leonard?” M frowned, her attention shifting to the phone. The caller ID clearly showed Adrian''s name, but the voice on the other end wasn''t his.


    Worried that something had happened to her son, M pulled free from Forrest and took the phone. "Why are you answering? Where''s Adrian?"


    While M was distracted, Forrest''s gaze flickered to Miranda, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp with suspicion.


    Miranda could feel his stare prickling her skin, but she stiffened her neck and refused to look his way. She knew she''d overstepped-what choice had she had? She could only hope Forrest would forgive her.


    Meanwhile, M was oblivious to the silent standoff. All her focus waszon the call her face growing grimmer with every word. After a deep breath to steady herself, she pressed, "Are you really not lying to me?"


    She didn''t trust a word from the Montgomery family. Especially not from Leonard.


    So before he could reply, she insisted, "Put Adrian on. I want to hear it from him." Leonard was silent for a few seconds, clearly searching for a response, but before he could speak, a woman''s voice cut in. "No need to look for Adrian. I''ll exin.” M froze.


    It was unmistakably Sophia Pembroke''s voice.


    "M, Leonard''s exined everything. I''ll say just one thing-if my child doesn''t wake up, I''ll see you in court. Don''t think being a minor will keep this off your record!"


    The call ended with a click.


    M''s face darkened. She immediately tried to call back, but the phone was switched off-clearly, they had no intention of talking further.


    "M?" Miranda stepped closer, concern etched on her face, but before she could


    ask anything, the butler appeared at the doorway, announcing that the matriarch urgently needed to see her.