Elena stood frozen, her mind emptied of sound and sense. Time stretched unbearably thin. Jin Di's heart hammered as he waited, every second carving deeper into his chest. Around them, the chef, the waiters, the musicians, and the household staff all watched in silence, scarcely daring to breathe.
The ticking of a clock somewhere far away seemed unbearably loud. Sweat slid down his temple. His hand trembled, though he fought to keep it steady. One long minute passed, then another, and still she did not move.
His smile faltered. Something inside him sank, heavy and sharp, pulling the air from his lungs. The pain was immediate and cruel.
"Baby…" His voice broke, the word barely leaving his throat. He drew a shaky breath, lowering the velvet box as though it weighed a thousand tons.
Before despair could fully settle, Elena lunged forward.
