The cheers hadn’t stopped. Flashlights and spotlights continued to burst like fireworks at us, both on our faces and the diamond ring, making the shine both blinding and beautiful. People were still clapping, hands reaching to shake ours, voices overlapping with congratulations and questions.
My hand was still in Darlington’s, the diamond now sitting on my finger like a title, not earned but given.
Everywhere around us were filled with smiles that showed both astonishment and confusion, reporters pressed in, some wanting photos, some asking for interviews, others just trying to touch the edge of the diamond ring.
Darlington pulled me closer, his voice low in my ear. "Smile. For now. We’ll talk later."
I nodded, still just as confused as everyone else.
Out of the corner of my eye, I sa
