The stage for Adaline Bertrand's return was a charity event organized with the support of the church.
Of course, no one even thought to ask Adaline’s opinion.
Her appearance in public was carefully planned, only for a short moment before the wedding, but certainly - together with Saint Genevieve and Crown Prince Edwin.
Adaline's partner for the evening was Jeff.
“Shane said he would still come even if he was late. Don't be upset, Adaline."
“And I’m not upset. On the contrary, it’s even for the better.”
She didn't want to see Shane's face if she could avoid it.
Ten days have passed since she returned from meeting Edwin, and during this time she has not crossed paths with Shane.
Fortunately, these days became, at least briefly, a welcome respite. However, today it was impossible to avoid the meeting.
[It's good that Jeff is with me. You don't have to face him for now.]
She almost clung to his hand like a child, and Jeff looked at her with unexpected gentleness.
“I’m still the best, right?”
"Certainly. There’s no one to even compare with.”
“If he heard this, he would definitely burst into tears.”
Jeff laughed.
[The eldest son, Patrick, who was supposed to inherit the title and family estate, did not seem to have a warm relationship with Shane, but the more free and laid-back Jeff, on the contrary, felt quite comfortable in his company.]
[At least, that’s what Adaline thought from the conversations she’d heard in recent days.]
[Surely they had crossed paths since childhood, but she didn’t know the details.]
[After the world made it clear to her that it would prefer her dead, Adaline, perhaps even more than Shane, avoided her family.]
[As a result, despite the blood relationship, she knew less about them than outsiders.]
[Her knowledge was limited to the characters' roles in the original story and childhood memories.]
The only one Adaline really had a close relationship with was Lloyd.
She had only superficial, polite communication with everyone else.
So superficial that she could hardly remember the faces and names of people with whom she had been quite friendly just a few years ago.
“What if someone comes up to me and talks...?”
[According to the "plot", for Adaline, today was the day immediately after the events of five years ago.]
[And that means she must remember her acquaintances by name and face.]
[But, alas, her memory failed her. And not only this.]
“Don't worry. We are close." - Patrick said confidently, accompanying Adaline instead of the busy Gregory.
Despite his reputation as a true gentleman, there was a threat in his voice.
Jeff leaned over and whispered:
“Lift your head, Adaline. If anyone dares to say something unnecessary, tell me right away.”
“With such scary brothers... who would even dare?”
[Typical...for a family of antagonists.]
[It’s good that Gregory didn’t come. Even the presence of Emma, Patrick and Jeff was enough to awe the bravest.]
[Their eyes are like those of hound dogs"[
[Hiding behind your scary family seemed like a good way to avoid unnecessary conversations.]
For the first time, Adaline felt a small spark of hope.
She entered the ballroom to the accompaniment of an overly solemn accompaniment.
---Adaline Bertrand instantly attracted all eyes.
Her platinum blonde hair was impeccably styled and shone in the light of the crystal chandeliers.
Simple pearl jewelry accentuated her sophisticated beauty.
A fragile figure, a long graceful neck, skin the color of baked milk with a delicate blush, and eyes - huge, olive-green, like those of a timid doe.
It seemed like time had turned back.
There was silence in the hall.
People stopped whispering and held their breath, as if someone had risen from the dead to appear before them.
The martyr who died saving the saint.
[If Adaline's fiancé had not been Shane Blanchard, her death might have been seen as a great self-sacrifice.]
[But everything was complicated by the rumors that were circulating about Shane and Saint Genevieve.]
[In order for these two to be together, the image of the “sacrificial bride” had to be quickly erased from memory.]
[Although now this no longer mattered, because the saint had married someone else.]
“It’s true...Adaline Bertrand!”
“Lord...is this really possible?”
“I even laid flowers on her grave...”
“I just can’t believe it...”
Among the whisperers were those who had once been considered her friends.
Someone turned pale, as if he had seen a ghost.
Someone, on the contrary, looked stunned and happy.
But none of them dared to come closer.
After all, members of the Bertrand family surrounded Adaline with a human shield, looking as if they were ready to tear apart anyone who said the wrong thing.