Episode 36

The ballroom remained suspended in absolute silence. Every gaze was fixed on Lilian, whose heart pounded wildly in her chest. The King’s expectant stare did not waver.

Gabriel, standing just a few meters away, watched her with an intensity that burned.

There was nothing more he could do. The choice was hers.

Lady Penelope stepped forward slightly, her eyes conveying strength. "My dear, this is the moment you decide your own future."

The Duke of Cavendish remained impassive. But Lilian saw it—the way he averted his gaze, his pride wounded, and perhaps, for the first time, a shadow of regret crossing his face.

The King leaned back, watching the scene unfold with interest. "Lady Lilian, the decision is yours. Do you wish to maintain this engagement?"

Silence.

Then, Lilian took a deep breath and lifted her chin. "No."

The word rang through the ballroom like a final blow.

The King gave a small nod. "Very well. The engagement between Lady Lilian and Lord Whitaker is officially annulled."

The ballroom still vibrated with the echoes of Whitaker’s public disgrace, the murmurs of the aristocracy blending with the heavy footsteps of the guards escorting him away.

Lilian’s gaze remained on the floor for a moment, the weight of everything that had just happened settling in her chest. And then, a single, undeniable truth struck her.

The letter.

Her heart tightened as the realization hit. That letter had been a lie. It always had been. Every detail, every word written—all part of a meticulous scheme to drive her away from Gabriel. And she had fallen into the trap.

She lifted her gaze to Gabriel, who watched her from across the room.

Waiting.

I doubted him.

Guilt swelled in her chest.

Gabriel had always told her the truth. He had fought for her, against everything and everyone. And she… she had believed Whitaker instead.

He did everything to separate us.

Whitaker had known exactly how to manipulate her. He had targeted her greatest fear—the fear of trusting and being betrayed. And instead of facing it, she had pushed Gabriel away when he needed her most.

Lady Penelope stepped closer, her touch gentle on Lilian’s shoulder. "My dear…"

But Lilian did not need comfort.

She needed to fix this.

She needed to go to him. Now.

Straightening her shoulders, she took a deep breath and walked across the ballroom, ignoring the stares. The whispers resumed. But she did not falter. Every step was a declaration of trust, a reaffirmation of what she felt—what she had always felt.

When she stopped in front of Gabriel, her heart pounded. He watched her, his gaze locked onto hers, as if trying to decipher what she was about to do.

She swallowed hard and finally spoke, her voice trembling but firm. "Gabriel… forgive me."

The tension in the room thickened. But nothing mattered except Gabriel’s reaction—the shock in his eyes, followed by something deeper.

Tears burned in her throat, but she continued. "I should have trusted you. I should have listened to my heart instead of allowing Whitaker to manipulate me."

Gabriel remained silent for a moment. Then, a small, almost reluctant smile curved his lips. "Lilian…"

He took a step toward her, his hand hesitantly reaching for hers. "Tell me… do you still believe in me?"

She did not hesitate. "I have always believed." Her voice wavered, but her resolve did not. "I was just afraid. But now I know… fear cannot control what I feel for you."

Gabriel studied her, searching for any hesitation. But he found only certainty.

And then… finally… he smiled.

Lilian felt free.

"If you still want me…" her voice came out soft, but firm.

Gabriel did not wait. He answered not with words, but with action. He pulled her into a kiss.

Gasps rippled through the ballroom.

But the scandal no longer mattered. The aristocracy would always have something to gossip about.

For the first time, Lilian did not care.

They pulled away just slightly, and Gabriel looked at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I always have."

From across the room, the Duke exhaled a long breath and turned to Lady Penelope. "This could never have ended any other way, could it?"

She gave a knowing smile. "No, Theodore. It never could."

The King stood, his final words closing the night. "Then it is decided. A new engagement, a new future. I trust you will make good use of the freedom you have won."