Rebecca didn’t look around to gauge reactions. She simply walked, calm and resolute, as if she had just set something heavy down after carrying it for years.

Serena watched her with a swelling in her chest she couldn’t quite name.

Roman squeezed Serena’s hand gently. “She’s incredible,” he murmured.

Serena nodded, blinking back tears. “She is.”

The party resumed—not as carefree as before, but realer. Conversations grew more intentional.

Guests approached Rebecca with cautious congratulations, some sincere, some curious. Raya received more attention than she knew what to do with, smiling shyly, overwhelmed by the sudden kindness.

Across the room, Dominic stood near the bar with Eli, Zac, and Mark....