Chapter 380: Refuse me a dance
"Mom is looking for you," Gabriel said, leaning casually against the doorframe.
Casaio lowered the small crystal scent bottle he had been holding and turned toward him. "How do I look?"
"Good," Gabriel replied simply.
"Just good?" Casaio arched a brow, adjusting his cufflinks.
Gabriel’s lips quirked into a faint smile. "Perfect for a wedding. Like a groom, in fact." He straightened his stance. "Zilia must still be getting ready."
"Yes," Casaio sighed, checking his reflection once more as he fixed his bowtie. "Convincing her to wear that gown was nearly impossible. She kept saying it looked too much like a bridal dress, that she didn’t want to draw attention away from Juniper tonight."
Gabriel gave a small nod of approval before pushing himself from the doorframe. "I’ll go check on Dominick."
But before he reached the next room, the door opened, and Dominick stepped out, adjusting his jacket as he walked toward him.
"Is everything ready? The guests must have started arriving," Dominick asked with anticipation.
"Yes. And you should already be at the altar," Gabriel reminded him with a faint smirk.
"Is Casaio ready?"
"He is."
Together, the brothers made their way to the grand wedding hall. The air buzzed with quiet chatter and the warm glow of chandeliers spilled over the rows of elegantly dressed guests. At the entrance, Raidan clasped his son in a firm hug and patted his back.
"Take your place, son," Raidan said warmly. "You look remarkable."
"Thank you, Father," Dominick replied, a rare softness in his voice. With a steady breath, he moved toward the altar.
Gabriel followed close behind, though his gaze drifted across the room, only to find Amelie laughing gracefully among a group of ladies her age. His lips curved faintly when Amelie caught his gaze.
Gabriel, catching Amelie’s eye from across the hall, lifted his hand and blew her a playful flying kiss. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she ducked her head with a smile she couldn’t quite hide.
"My brother never misses a chance to shower you with affection," Katelyn teased softly, leaning close to whisper in Amelie’s ear.
Amelie, too, gave a flying kiss to Gabriel, who brought his hands to his chest, smirking. She smiled brightly seeing his reaction.
"You’re lucky, Amelie, for having such a romantic husband," said Jeanette.
Flora, watching the exchange from nearby, felt her lips curve into a gentle smile. She was genuinely happy for Amelie, anyone could see the love between her and Gabriel.
Yet when her gaze drifted toward the altar, her chest tightened. Memories of the past flooded in, dragging her back to her own wedding day, when she had been cruelly pulled away before she could even take her vows.
It had been a blessing in disguise, she told herself that every time, because marrying Alex would have destroyed her. And yet, the dream she once cherished, the vision of walking down the aisle with hope in her heart, had shattered completely, leaving behind a wound that time had dulled but never erased.
"Flora, can we talk in private? Somewhere less crowded," Zarina asked softly. Nicole and Natasha stood beside her, their expressions unusually serious.
Flora blinked, taken aback, but nodded. "Sure."
The four of them slipped away to the farthest corner of the hall, where the noise of laughter and music dulled into the background.
"We... we want to apologize for that night," Natasha began.
"Yes, we’re truly sorry," Zarina and Nicole added almost in unison.
Flora stared at them, stunned. Her heart skipped a beat as she searched their faces, trying to decipher if this was some of their trick. But what she saw instead was sincerity, the kind she never thought she would receive from them.
"We crossed a line," Zarina admitted, her tone weighted with regret. "We refused to believe your words, and we judged you harshly. You did make mistakes, Flora, but in truth... you were a pawn in Alex’s game. He meant to use you and throw you aside when it suited him." Her voice faltered, but she pressed on. "We’re sorry for adding to your pain. We are sorry for hurting you so deeply when you needed understanding instead."
The genuine remorse in their eyes was sincere.
"I forgive you three," Flora said at last, her voice calm but sincere.
"Wonderful!" Nicole clasped her hands together, relief softening her features. "Then, we’re hoping we can truly be friends from now on. Even if you’re in San Ravendale, we can still stay connected."
"Sure," Flora replied with a gentle smile. "I’d love that."
They quickly exchanged contacts, and after a few more words of gratitude, the three slipped back into the lively crowd, leaving Flora with a rare sense of lightness in her chest. For the first time in a long while, she felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted.
She took a step forward, ready to rejoin the others, when a hand suddenly clasped hers. Startled, she spun around, only to find Zander standing there, his lips curled in a faint smirk.
"You!?" she exclaimed.
"Why? Were you expecting someone else?" he asked, arching a brow, his tone laced with playful sarcasm.
"I was startled, that’s all. I nearly hit you," Flora muttered, pulling her hand back slightly, though her cheeks flushed at her own reaction.
Zander chuckled, lowering his head slightly in apology. "Sorry for sneaking up on you like that. You were surrounded by ladies, so I thought I’d wait my turn." His eyes lingered on her a moment longer before he added, "You look beautiful, by the way."
"Thank you. You also look like a gentleman," Flora said with a soft smile.
Zander’s lips curved upward. "Then I suppose you won’t refuse me a dance once the wedding finishes?"
Flora blinked, a little taken aback, but quickly composed herself. "Sure," she agreed with a small nod. Then, tilting her head, she added, "But first, you should meet my parents. They’ll be happy to see you."
Zander’s eyes softened, and for a fleeting moment. "Sure, then lead the way," he said, gesturing toward the crowd.