While Jade and Cillian sprinted blindly into the dark after the woman they suspected to be Rose, back inside the mansion, Aliana pushed open the door of the washroom stall.
Stepping out into the quiet room, she walked over to the sink to wash her hands.
She had already removed her gloves during the ring ceremony earlier in the evening.
As she dried her skin, her eyes naturally drifted to the beautiful, clear-cut ruby ring on her finger. It gleamed extraordinarily even beneath the dim, ambient warm light of the washroom.
Smiling softly, she lifted her hand in front of her face, unable to help but admire its flawless beauty.
"So beautiful," she whispered to herself as a strange, profound warmth settled deep within her heart the longer she stared at her engagement ring.
"It's very beautiful indeed," a woman's voice suddenly spoke from behind her.
