Chapter 128. Longing for You

The moment the maids set the glittering jewelry before me, they slipped silently from the room, their skirts whispering against the polished floor. In an instant, the air felt too still, too charged, and I tugged my hair over one shoulder, as though the simple motion might settle my nerves. Behind me, the mirrors caught the glint of diamonds and pearls, each piece proclaiming its worth in cold, brilliant light—yet with Daniel here, none of it truly mattered. As the last footstep receded, the heavy door shut with a muted click, leaving only the two of us in the hush that followed.

His voice came then, low and warm, drifting over my shoulder as he stepped into the lamplight. “You look nice.” He reached for the zipper at the back of my gown, black velvet that clung to my curves. The fabric felt smooth beneath his fingertips, and I held my breath. When he began to pull the zip upward, inch by inch, I turned to watch us both in the mirror. His reflection loomed behind mine: tall, p