Chapter 114. Blood Note

Third-Person POV

The sky was a quiet painting of gold and lilac as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting warm light over Andre Garcia's penthouse.

There was no grand hall, no orchestra, no rows of white chairs. Just a wide porch wrapped around the front of Andre’s house, lit softly by hanging lanterns, white curtains, and fairy lights that twinkled like fireflies in the coming dusk.

Andre stood at the far end of the porch, his hands clasped nervously behind him. He wore a grey suit, simple but perfectly tailored, the collar stiff with anticipation. His friend, Ethan, stood beside him—steadfast and grinning from ear to ear. His hand pressed on Andre's shoulder, giving him an occasional squeeze. Sarah adjusted her shawl beside Ethan, whispering something about how Andre had “finally grown up,” and they both chuckled.

And then there was Stanley, arms crossed, face unreadable, but the faintest hint of pride rested in his dark eyes. He was a