Back at the hotel, Luka stood awkwardly beside Clara, a glass of champagne in his hand. The toast had gone ahead without Viktor, with Clara delivering it alone, her voice bright but strained.
She'd spoken of love and partnership, her words dripping with practised charm, but the guests had noticed Viktor's absence. Whispers spread like wildfire, and Clara's smile grew tighter with every passing minute.
As the applause died down, she turned to Luka, her eyes blazing.
"Where the hell is Viktor?" she hissed, keeping her voice low so the nearby guests wouldn't hear. "He left me standing here like an idiot!"
Luka took a sip of champagne, trying to stay calm. "He had to handle something urgent."
Clara's hands clenched around her glass.
"Urgent? What's more urgent than our engagement? Tell me where he went, Luka!"
Before Luka could respond, the twins pushed forward, their faces red with anger.
