Dear readers, First of all, thank you so much for your patience and support.
Some of you may notice that the beginning of the story is different from what you read before.
Don’t worry—the story itself hasn’t changed.
I simply decided to rewrite the opening with a better approach to make it more engaging and enjoyable to read.
This is my very first novel, even before MY CEO HUSBAND: Sign the Divorce, so I’m still learning and growing as a writer.
I know it won’t be perfect, but I’m doing my best to improve with every chapter.
I hope you’ll be patient with me, overlook any mistakes you come across, and enjoy this journey with me.
Thank you for giving my story a chance and for supporting my work.
It truly means a lot.
———————— ALICE POV I stood before the mirror, staring at a reflection that hardly felt like my own.
My long brown hair had been curled into soft waves that cascaded gracefully down my back.
A touch of makeup enhanced my features, while my lips were painted in a soft, natural shade.
The gown I wore was elegant and princess-like, its fitted bodice flowing into a long skirt that brushed lightly against the floor.
“Alice?” Aunt Rose stepped into the walk-in closet and froze in the doorway.
I turned to face her.
She looked beautiful in a sapphire-blue dress that reminded me, painfully, of someone I knew I shouldn’t be thinking about right now.
Her hand flew to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes.
I hurried over, careful not to trip over my heels.
“Don’t cry, Aunt,” I said with a smile.
“You’ll ruin your makeup.” “Look at you,” she whispered as she took my hand.
“All grown up.
You’re so beautiful…
and I’m so proud of you.” “Thank you, Aunt.” She studied me quietly before speaking again.
“Your mother would be proud of you too.” At the mention of my parents, my vision blurred with tears.
“They’re watching over you,” she said gently.
“Both of them.” I nodded, blinking rapidly to keep the tears from falling.
“This is a happy day,” Aunt Rose said, forcing a smile.
“No more tears.” She carefully dabbed at my eyes before touching up her own makeup, then slipped her arm through mine and led me out of the room.
Outside, we found Aunt Rose’s niece, Ariana, already waiting.
“What took you two so long?” she teased.
“We’re almost late.” “Go get the car around,” Aunt Rose said.
“We’ll be down in a moment.” With plenty of help—and more than a little struggle with my dress and heels—we finally made it downstairs.
Once Aunt Rose and I were seated inside the car, Ariana leaned through the open window.
“You two go ahead,” she said.
“I forgot something upstairs.
I’ll catch up.” “You’re not coming with us?” I asked.
She smiled reassuringly.
“Don’t worry.
I’ll be there soon.” She exchanged a quick glance with Aunt Rose before the window rolled up.
I had spent months preparing for this day, yet now that it had finally arrived, my nerves refused to settle.
For what felt like the hundredth time, I checked my reflection in my phone.
“You look gorgeous, dear,” Aunt Rose said with a fond sigh.
“Stop worrying.” I tried to smile.
It wasn’t entirely my fault.
This was my first formal event, my first time wearing makeup, and despite it being my own birthday celebration, I couldn’t shake the flutter of nervous excitement in my chest.
The party was being held at one of my adoptive family’s most luxurious hotels.
A few minutes later, the car came to a smooth stop before the grand entrance.
Aunt Rose stepped out first before turning to help me.
The moment my feet touched the ground, I instinctively froze.
I slowly lifted my eyes to the magnificent building towering before me, allowing myself a brief moment to admire the breathtaking transformation.
Despite the nervousness weighing heavily on my chest, I desperately tried to let the sight distract me.
Just for a moment.
I wanted to forget about the countless eyes that would soon be fixed on me.
More than that…
I wanted to forget the reality that would be waiting for me once this celebration was over.
Sensing my hesitation, Aunt Rose gently squeezed my hand.
“You’ll be fine,” she whispered with an encouraging smile.
I forced myself to return a small smile before taking a deep breath and following her inside.
The moment we stepped into the hotel’s grand ballroom, conversations gradually faded as heads turned in our direction.
Guests instinctively parted to make way for us, warm smiles spreading across their faces.
“Congratulations on your graduation!” “Happy birthday!” The greetings came one after another, each voice blending into the next until they became little more than a distant hum in my ears.
My mind was far too overwhelmed to respond properly, so I simply smiled and nodded while Aunt Rose graciously thanked everyone on our behalf.
As we walked farther into the hall, I slowly took in the breathtaking scene surrounding me.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the soaring ceiling, bathing the ballroom in a warm golden glow that shimmered across the polished marble floors and mirrored pillars.
Elegant arrangements of white roses and orchids rested atop gilded stands, their delicate fragrance lingering faintly in the air as waiters moved gracefully through the crowd carrying silver trays.
Round tables draped in ivory satin were adorned with gold-rimmed dinnerware, sparkling crystal glasses, and flickering candlelight that made the entire ballroom feel almost dreamlike.
My gaze eventually drifted toward the center of the hall.
A beautifully decorated stage stood beneath a grand ivory-and-gold backdrop.
My name was written across it in shimmering gold letters.
Alice Johnson.
Seeing my name displayed so prominently should have made me feel proud.
Instead, an uneasy feeling settled even deeper in my chest.
Everything was perfect.
Too perfect.
For reasons I couldn’t explain, it felt less like the beginning of a celebration…