Chapter 29

The night of the celebration had started to wind down. The guests had thinned, leaving only close family and friends lingering in small groups around the garden and living room. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated the space, casting a gentle warmth over the otherwise quiet evening. Alonzo stood by one of the outdoor balconies, gazing out at the horizon, lost in thought.

From behind, he heard a familiar laugh, a sound that had been embedded in his heart since childhood. Abigail.

He turned, watching her from a distance as she chatted with some family members. The way her eyes sparkled when she smiled, the way she moved with grace, and the warmth of her presence, all of it tugged at something deep inside him. They had known each other their entire lives, growing up side by side, yet there had always been this unspoken barrier between them. A friendship that had masked something deeper.

But not tonight. Tonight, he had decided that enough was enough.

Alonzo took a deep breath and wa