Aaron's POV
On the day everything was supposed to happen, Aaron couldn't get his hands to stop shaking. Not badly, just enough to annoy him. He also couldn't focus on anything. Not emails. Not work. Just the clock. The weather. The time. He'd gone over the plan with Anna so many times he'd lost count. He had the ring. He had the words memorized. The location was secured. Everything was under control. Everything except Cameron's answer.
At 5:00 p.m., Benjamin sent the all clear signal. The botany gardens were locked down, the family was in place, and the soft string lights were already glowing between the trees. It looked quiet. Private. Perfect.
At 5:15, right on schedule, Anna video-called Cameron.
ANNA (cheerful and fake-casual):
"Hey, baby bro! Emergency. I'm at your favorite spot in the botany garden…the quiet one with that weird fern you love. I'm scouting locations for a short film and the light is perfect. I need you. Right now. Please. I'll buy you coffee forever."
