Chapter 176: The Toast.
By the time I got downstairs… the party had already started.
The music was soft. Not too loud, just enough to fill the silence between conversations.
The lights were warm and everything looked perfect. Exactly how I wanted it.
Exactly how she deserved it. Titan helped guide my wheelchair into the main hall.
And immediately, all eyes turned toward me. Not for long, just for a moment.
Then everything went back to normal. People talking, laughing and moving around. But I wasn’t looking at them.
I was looking at her. Elara. She was already seated. Waiting.
When our eyes met… she smiled so hard and something in my chest eased.
I moved closer and positioned myself beside her.
“Hi,” she said softly.
“Hi.” I looked at her properly this time. Up close. And somehow… she looked even more beautiful than she did from upstairs.
“You look…” I paused. Then I shook my head slightly.
“I don’t even have the words to describe it.”
She laughed softly. “That bad?”
I smirked a little. “No.”
“Too good.” Her cheeks turned slightly red.
“Thank you.”
I leaned a little closer.
“You’re welcome.”
For a moment It was just us. Even with all the noise and all the people, It still felt quiet and peaceful.
Then, when I looked around, I could see the joy on everyone's faces.
Ma’am Albright, she was everywhere. Moving from one place to another.
Checking and adjusting things. Making sure everything was in order.
She looked… extremely happy too and that alone made me feel something I couldn’t explain.
“Everything looks perfect,” Elara said, watching her.
I nodded. “She made sure of that.”
Elara smiled softly. “She always does.”
I didn’t respond. But I agreed. A few minutes later… I signaled to Titan.
He understood immediately. He moved slightly forward and asked that the music be reduced.
The person in charge of the music gradually reduced it until the room became quiet.
All eyes turned toward me again. I took a slow breath.
Then I spoke. “Thank you all for coming tonight.”
My voice echoed softly across the hall.
“Today is a special day.” I turned slightly toward Elara.
“My girlfriend’s birthday.” There were soft claps, smiles and murmurs.
I continued. “Elara…” I paused for a moment. Looking at her.
“She’s… different.” A small smile formed on my lips.
“In a good way.” Some people laughed lightly. Including her.
“She came into my life when I didn’t expect it.”
“And somehow… she changed things.” My voice softened.
“She made things feel lighter, easier and even better.” I saw her eyes soften and I knew she understood.
“I admire her, her strength, her kindness. The way she cares for people.”
I paused again. “She’s not just important to me. She’s… my everything.”
There was a small reaction from the guests. Soft claps and whispers.
But I didn’t look at them. I was still looking at her. Then I shifted slightly. “And today is also special…”
“Because she's sharing today with someone else. We basically have two celebrants.”
I turned toward Jasper. “My cousin, Jasper.”
He smiled and nodded slightly.
“We grew up, although at some point we got separated. But despite everything he’s still family.”
There were a few nods around the room. “And tonight… we celebrate both of them.”
I lifted my glass slightly. “To Elara and to Jasper.”
Then I continued. “May tonight be everything you both deserve.”
Everyone lifted their glasses. “To Elara and Jasper!”
The room filled with cheers, clinking glasses, smiles and laughter.
I took a small sip, then lowered my glass.
Elara leaned closer. “Thank you,” she whispered.
I looked at her. “You deserve it.”
She smiled again, a genuine smile. Seeing that, nothing made me happier.
Then something shifted, I felt a presence beside me. I felt it before I saw it. I turned slightly and there she was. Selene, Damien’s sister.
She walked straight toward me confidently. Then she sat down very close to me. Too close.
“It’s been a while,” she said softly.
As if Elara wasn’t even there. I frowned slightly.
But I kept my tone calm. “Yes, It has. How have you been?”
She smiled. “I’ve been good. Very good.”
Her eyes stayed on me too long, like–it was intentional.
I glanced at Elara briefly. Then back at Selene.
“Selene,” I said.
“This is Elara.”
“My girlfriend.”
There was a pause just for a second. But I saw it. The reaction, the way her expression changed, the slight tightening of her jaw, the flicker in her eyes.
But she covered it quickly. “Oh,” she said.
Then looked at Elara. “Hi.”
Her tone wasn’t warm, not even close. Elara still smiled politely. “Hi.”
Selene didn’t say anything else, she just stood up. Abruptly.
“I’ll be around,” she said.
Then turned and walked away quickly. I watched her leave, then I turned and looked at Elara.
“You okay?” I asked.
She nodded. “I’m fine.”
But I could tell… something felt off, she didn't feel too comfortable with what just happened and I didn’t like it.
While I was thinking of how to bring back Elara's priceless smile, The doors opened.
Loud enough to draw attention. Everyone turned including me.
A group of people walked in. They weren't guests. I recognized them immediately.
The luxury brand, the same people I had invited a few days ago for Elara. For her shopping.
But this… this wasn’t part of the plan.
At the front was the manager, dressed sharply and kept a serious expression.
Behind him were the security and a few other individuals.
The entire room went quiet and confused. Whispers started.
“What’s going on? Why are they here?”
I frowned. My grip tightened slightly on the armrest.
Something wasn’t right. I could feel it. The manager stepped forward.
“Good evening, Mr. Edward,” he said.
His voice firm and professional. I stared at him.
“Good evening. What is this about?”
He didn’t smile, not even a little. “There seems to be a situation.”
My eyes narrowed slightly. “What kind of situation?”
There was a pause, a heavy one and in that moment, something in the air changed completely.
Like a storm was about to break and I didn’t even know why.
But I knew one thing for sure. This night was no longer going to be peaceful just the way I planned it to be.