The private dining room shimmered with elegance, the soft lights casting a warm glow over the scene. I smoothed the fabric of my dress, feeling a little bit of the nerves creep in as I took in the polished elegance of the room, and the finely dressed guests. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a part of something—something larger than myself, and surprisingly, it didn’t feel suffocating.Both families exchanged warm greetings, polite words and subtle smiles as everyone settled into their seats. And just as I took a quiet breath, Tessa appeared, beaming as she moved toward me, her arms open wide. “Emily!” she exclaimed, wrapping me in a tight embrace. “You look incredible,” she whispered with a grin, pulling back to give me a long look. Her eyes sparkled with that familiar warmth, and for a moment, it was like we were just two friends at a casual gathering. Her energy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but feel my nerves ease a bit.“Thank you, Tess,” I murmured, retu
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