Chapter 9 - The Miracle Flower
The tension in the room was suffocating. Guards were hesitant to move, sensing the dangerous aura radiating from the intruder. Leo walked straight through the crowd of elites, the sea of terrified aristocrats parting for him like the Red Sea. He stopped right in front of Elena's wheelchair. He knelt down, ignoring Julian who was screaming for security. Leo reached into his jacket pocket. His large, rough, calloused hands gently pulled out a single, perfect white daisy. He held it up to her.
Elena was sobbing. Tears streamed down her beautiful face, ruining her perfect makeup. Her chest heaved as she looked at the flower, the symbol of their summer, the symbol of the promise they made. "I never stopped looking for you," Leo whispered softly, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. Elena reached out, her trembling fingers wrapping around the stem of the daisy, brushing against his warm hand. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her entire body. The fog in her mind shattered completely. Love, adrenaline, and five years of suppressed rage flooded her veins, overriding the remnants of the drugs. She grabbed the armrests of her wheelchair. The crowd gasped collectively as Elena shifted her weight. Her high heels planted firmly on the cold marble floor. With an agonizing, defiant effort, Elena pushed herself up. Her legs shook violently, but she locked her knees. She stood up. Julian stumbled backward, his face pale as a ghost. "That's... impossible," he stammered, horrified at the sight of his broken puppet breaking her strings.
