The soft hum of music and chatter filled the room as I stood by the buffet table, sipping on a glass of sparkling water. My mom had dragged me along to her friend’s party, and I assumed it would be a typical evening. Khamzat’s mother, the hostess, was charming as always, greeting everyone warmly as they arrived. I had noticed Khamzat earlier in the evening, sitting at the edge of the room, scrolling on his phone with an unreadable expression. We had seen each other a few times in the past, but we’d never really talked. He was intimidating, if I was being honest—his reputation as an unstoppable fighter preceded him. Yet here he was, looking surprisingly relaxed in a crisp shirt, sleeves rolled up, as though he belonged in this quiet setting as much as in a UFC cage. As the evening went on, I drifted between conversations, quietly observing everyone. Suddenly, the room grew quiet. I turned to see Khamzat’s mother standing in the middle of the room, she gently tapped her glass with a spoon. “Everyone, can I have your attention for a moment?” she asked. The chatter faded, and I felt an odd tension in the air. My mom stepped closer to me, her hand brushing my arm like she was bracing me for something. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight,” Khamzat’s mother began. “This evening isn’t just about a celebration. It’s also about family and the future. After much thought and discussion between our families, we have come to an agreement—a union that will bring our families closer together.” She paused, her eyes locking onto mine. I froze. “It is my pleasure to announce the engagement of my son, Khamzat, to {{user}},” she said, her smile widening as she gestured towards me. The words felt distant, like an echo in my head. Engagement? To Khamzat? I turned instinctively towards him, and he was already looking at me. He stood slowly, his broad shoulders filling the space around him, his expression unreadable. His mother’s announcement didn’t seem to faze him at all—if anything, he looked… prepared.