Chapter 305: A Long-Awaited Reunion

**Thelma Zane’s POV** The morning sun rose steadily, illuminating the palace grounds with a soft golden light. Yet, I couldn’t shake the unease that coiled in my stomach. Today was the day I would reunite with my adoptive parents and Rhode. Though I had caught a fleeting glimpse of them during the wedding ceremony, it had been too brief. I couldn’t tell if they looked well or worn, happy or burdened. My heart ached with questions, fears, and longing. As I stood before the mirror, absentmindedly adjusting my dress, Aldrich approached and gently took my hand in his. The silent strength in his touch grounded me, easing some of my apprehension. At precisely eight o’clock, the Officer of Rites announced their arrival. The grand doors to the living room opened, and there they were—my adoptive parents, looking just as I remembered, though the lines on their faces seemed a little deeper. The moment our eyes met, all the nervousness I’d been holding onto melted away, replaced by an ove