#Chapter 16: Alone

Elara I entered the grand ballroom, holding Zoe and Ellaʼs hands as we walked together. The opulence of the venue took my breath away—the chandeliers glittered like constellations against the high ceilings, and the marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of ambient lighting. This was the most luxurious hotel in the city, a place Iʼd only ever seen in magazines and had never imagined visiting myself. Alaric had chosen it deliberately, making a statement that was impossible to ignore. The girls gazed around in awe. “Mommy, look at all the lights!” Zoe exclaimed, pointing up at the crystals swaying gently in the air. I offered her an encouraging smile; I never imagined that my little girl would grow to be a princess like this, attending balls in sparkling dresses, but here we were. It felt like every mother’s dream come true. As we moved further into the room, Alaric joined us, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that accentuated his commanding presence. I tri