Chapter 8 - THE FATHER'S EMBRACEThe two hundred elite guests stood frozen, not daring to whisper a single word.
I looked around the room, then turned my gaze toward my son. Ethan stood alone in the center of the shattered ballroom, his hands trembling slightly, staring down at the spot where Serena had been dragged away.
I walked over to him, stepping over the broken glass and scattered white rose petals.
I placed my hand gently on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, son," I said softly, dropping all the billionaire armor. "I should have shown you the truth sooner. I wanted you to see it for yourself."
Ethan looked up at me, tears finally spilling over his eyelids. But this time, they weren't tears of grief—they were tears of profound relief. He threw his arms around me, burying his face against my shoulder, holding on as tightly as he had when he was a little boy after his mother passed away.
"Thank you, Dad," Ethan whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "You saved me."
I held my son tightly, letting him know that no matter how big our empire grew, family would always be the only thing that truly mattered.
I turned back to the stunned crowd of guests.
May you like
"Ladies and gentlemen," I announced, my voice ringing clear and strong across the hall. "The wedding is officially canceled. But the open bar remains fully operational. Enjoy your evening."
A nervous, relieved wave of laughter rippled through the room, and the orchestra quietly began to play again.
