The doors slammed shut again. Edmund didn't fight his way in.
He walked slowly around the side of the building until he stood outside the floor-to-ceiling ballroom windows, hidden in the dark.
Inside, the room was flooded with golden light. He pressed his palm to the cold glass, staring through the thick, soundproof panes.
He spotted me instantly, right in the center of the crowd.
I wasn't wearing couture. I had on a simple white satin dress, no lace, no crystals, no fancy embroidery.
The waist cut was plain, almost unassuming. But I stood tall, radiant, with a smile so bright it made his chest ache.
I wasn't shrinking to fit anyone anymore. I wasn't anyone's accessory. I was just... Tessa Rogers. Fully myself.
Holden walked up to me and dropped to one knee. He held out a tiny velve
