~Tiara
The cool evening air wrapped around us as we stepped outside, the grandeur of the Hernandez estate glimmering under the soft glow of the setting sun. I couldn’t deny how breathtaking the scene was. The perfectly manicured gardens, the tinkling sound of a distant fountain, and the twinkling fairy lights made the entire moment feel like something out of a fairytale.
But this wasn’t a fairytale for me. This was my new reality—a reality I hadn’t chosen for myself.
Giovanni’s hand hovered at the small of my back, not quite touching but close enough to make me hyper-aware of his presence. Every step we took together felt heavy, like we were being watched by every eye present, and maybe we were.
As we approached the gathering, the Hernandez family stood out among the guests, thei
