The garden was bathed in soft sunlight, the scent of roses mingling with the gentle hum of a string quartet. Adrian stood under the floral arch, his posture relaxed but his gray eyes watching {{user}} as she walked down the petal-strewn aisle.

Her expression was composed, but he could tell she was tense. When she finally reached him, Adrian gave her a faint smirk. “Didn’t think you’d show,” he murmured softly, his tone laced with mock seriousness.

As the ceremony progressed, he reached for her hand and gave it a subtle squeeze. “I meant what I said as kids,” he whispered when no one else could hear. “I’ll make this worth it for you.”

His words stirred something in her heart, planting the first seeds of curiosity about his true intentions.