"You two might want to dial it back," a cool voice teased from nearby. "At this rate, you''ll be trending before the night''s over."


    The words danced with yful mischief, aimed at the couple whose closeness drew the air around them, their focus on each other nearly electric.


    Anneliese turned her head.


    Steven stood nearby, with Ellie in his arms and Wendy by his side. Their attentive watching made it clear they had been there for some time.


    The corridor buzzed with life, but every passerby slowed, curiosity flickering in their eyes as they stole nces at the scene unfolding.


    Anneliese had imed first ce, and Jonathan presented her award in front of a buzzing crowd. Their earlier appearance had already set the inte alight. Now, side by side, roses in Anneliese''s arms, their closeness was impossible to ignore. They were the center of every gaze.


    Anneliese''sshes fluttered as a blush crept across her cheeks. She eased from Jonathan''s embrace, only for his arm to find her waist again, steady and sure, silently dering his ce at her side.


    Only after that did he look at Steven and say, "Sounds like someone''s jealous."


    He thought, Jealous, huh? I have my wife right here in my arms, while your little girl keeps growing, and your wife is nowhere to be seen.


    Anneliese gave Jonathan''s sleeve a gentle tug, a quiet reminder that elders and a child were watching.


    Steven didn''t bother responding. He merely lifted an eyebrow, unimpressed.


    Ellie, however, reached toward Anneliese.


    Anneliese passed the roses to Jonathan and stepped forward, lifting Ellie into her


    arms.


    Ellie recalled the promise she made during the break. When Anneliese picked her up, she immediately hugged her, gave her a loud kiss on the cheek, and showed a triumphant thumbs-up.


    Anneliese smiled gently, her eyes warm. "Thanks for cheering me on. Want to see my trophy?"


    Ellie''s eyes widened instantly. She nodded hard, lips parting.


    Anneliese''s attention snapped to that tiny mouth.


    Steven did too.


    Ellie''s lips moved, but no sound followed.


    Nevertheless, they both saw it clearly.


    The shape was unmistakably an "Okay."


    Thest time Ellie spoke, Wendy had told Steven about it. Since he hadn''t


    witnessed it himself, it never truly felt real.


    Now he was watching it happen.


    Though Ellie didn''t manage to speak, it was her first real step toward finding her voice. That alone was enough.


    Steven''s gaze lingered on Anneliese, admiration unmistakably brightening his eyes.


    Suddenly, a cascade of roses swept into view, a flood of crimson petats filling Steven''s vision. The heady scent washed over him, dizzying.in


    Sintensity.


    Steven instinctively took a step back.


    When he looked up again, Jonathan had already moved into the ce he''d just vacated. One arm wrapped confidently around Anneliese, while she extended the crystal trophy toward Ellie.


    Ellie nestled safely in Anneliese''s arms, Jonathan''s embrace gathering them both. The three stood together as if they had always belonged, a


    portrait of family-whole and


    undeniably united.  S to''


    Steven sneered.


    Only now did he see just how sharp and delightfully petty Jonathan could be.


    "Anne, let''s go celebrate with dinner," Wendy suggested with a smile as she watched them. "I also want to discuss wedding dress ideas with you."


    Of course, Anneliese hadn''t forgotten; Penelope had already employed Wendy to design her wedding gown.


    She nced at Jonathan.


    He saw it too—how naturally Anneliese fit beside Wendy and Ellie, how genuine Wendy''s care was.


    Anneliese didn''t have much family. Jonathan didn''t mind her gaining a few elders who cherished her.


    He nodded. "That was already the n. Everything''s arranged."


    Wendy''s smile brightened. "Perfect. Let''s go."


    Anneliese stepped forward. Jonathan reached toward the child in her arms.


    "Ellie, want me to carry you?"


    He was thinking of Anneliese. The heels she wore made every step harder than it looked, and even little Ellie would tire her arms soon enough.


    Anneliese, knowing Ellie well, was about to decline. Ellie, however, looked from her


    to Jonathan, hesitated, and then reached out.


    Jonathan gently moved her into his arms in a seamless motion.