“So the wheelchair thing was also a ruse?"

“Damn! Are we witnessing a miracle, or something else?"

The guests were all shocked. Ignoring the people around, Theodore walked calmly toward Ariana, his eyes fixed on her.

When their eyes met, everything seemed to disappear around them.

Finally, Theodore spread out his arms and hugged Ariana tightly.

His hug calmed Ariana's anger in the blink of an eye as her urge to punch him disappeared as well.

She realized that it hadn't been easy for Theodore to put his plan into action. A slight accident could have ruined everything.

She had mixed feelings right now. On the one hand, she was happy that he was back, and on the other hand, she felt aggrieved to have had to go through all this.

Tears flowed freely from Ariana's eyes and wet Theodore's clothes. She was crying in his arms like a child whose favorite toy had been taken away, or a child who had finally found someone to rely on.

Feeling the Ariana's tears on his clothes and skin, Theodore's heart ached deeply.

After crying for a while, Ariana raised her head and glared at him with red eyes.

“You finally came back," she said with gritted teeth.

Theodore's hand came to rest gently on Ariana's head; it was a touch meant to quell her simmering nerves, a symbol of his reassuring presence. He leaned in closer, his voice a mere breath against her ear.

“My promise hasn't slipped my mind," he assured her softly, "I said I'd introduce you to my mother, remember?" His gaze brimmed with an affection that radiated warmth, even in their chilly surroundings.

Despite the swell of emotions threatening to burst forth, Ariana managed to maintain her composure. She nodded, meeting Theodore's eyes with her own, affirming their shared understanding.

Together, they stood; their hands interlocked in silent affirmation of their united front. Ariana was braced for whatever drama might unfurl before them. She was resolved to weather every storm, every challenge, by Theodore's side.

Yet, as she held his hand, she couldn't ignore the subtle tremor that belied his seeming tranquility. Underneath the surface, a current of unease surged, a secret only she was privy to.

The silence in the crowd was as brittle as thin ice, but Theodore shattered it with a voice as icy as winter.

“If anyone wants to go, I'm not going to stand in your way," he declared.

A ripple of surprise coursed through the gathered guests; glances were exchanged but not one of them dared to move.