Chapter 126.

Jenna's POV

I inhaled a shaky breath. "As ready as I'll ever be."

With a silent nod, Sarah released the hold on my train, sending it cascading down the stairs in a glorious emerald wave. Mentally reciting the steps I'd meticulously planned, I turned on my heel, a slow, deliberate motion that allowed the full impact of the dress to be captured by the cameras.

The crowd's reaction was… muted. I felt a flicker of panic. Had they not seen the intricate beadwork? The way the fabric shimmered like a mermaid's dream? What was I doing wrong?

Desperate to salvage the moment, I reached for the "hair toss" Sarah had mentioned. Just as I tilted my head back, a rogue gust of wind whipped through the red carpet, catching a loose strand of hair and plastering it unattractively across my face.

The frustrated groan that escaped my lips was thankfully drowned out by a collective gasp from the crowd. A commotion near the entrance momentarily stole everyone's attention. A tall, imposing figure was stridi