Alina’s POV
I woke up the next morning with my heart beating faster than normal. Today mattered. Today was the day everything would shift back to the way it was supposed to be. I sat up slowly, feeling both excited and scared. I got dressed quietly and made my way downstairs for breakfast.
The dining room was empty.
One of the maids bowed and told me everyone was already at the gala venue preparing. I nodded and asked her to take me there.
The venue was beautifully decorated. Golden lights. White roses. A soft breeze coming from the ocean. It felt unreal. Grandma was talking with the decorators, correcting a few things. When she turned and saw me, her whole face brightened. I smiled back.
We spoke for a while. She asked if I had slept well. I lied and said yes. She complimented the co
