The party hummed in the background, laughter and classical music mingling with the clink of crystal flutes and the rustle of designer gowns. Amidst the grandeur of the Montgomery reception, where chandeliers sparkled like frozen fireworks and waiters glided past with trays of hors d'oeuvres, Lucien stood still, swirling the last sip of crimson wine in his glass like it was the last drop of sanity he had left.
His gaze was fixed on Caroline.
"What did you say?" he asked, voice low, yet amused. A smirk played at the edge of his lips, eyes gleaming like twin sapphires soaked in mischief.
Caroline's throat worked hard. Her fingers clutched each other tightly in front of her gown, knuckles pale. She swallowed hard and repeated, quieter this time, as though speaking the words again made them more real. "I said, I want you to marry me."
