Power, Love, and Promise (COMPLETED)

After 10 Years

"Selena, baby, are you ready?" Amelia Thorne knocked gently on the door before entering, her voice as warm and elegant as ever. She stepped into the room, her figure draped in a silver Elie Saab gown, diamonds glittering at her neck and wrist like a queen stepping out of a dream.

Selena stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, her reflection striking—a vision in deep emerald green satin, the gown clinging to her figure in all the right places. Her dark hair cascaded in loose waves, framing her delicate face, with just a hint of red on her lips. She was every bit the daughter of the Thorne empire—poised, flawless, and ready to face the world.

"I'm just about done," Selena replied, smoothing down her dress. Amelia smiled as she walked up behind her daughter, her eyes soft with love and pride.

"You look breathtaking, darling," Amelia said, brushing a strand of hair from Selena's face. "I swear, you get more beautiful every day."

Selena smiled, but there was a hint of something distant in her eyes. "Thank you, Mum. You look stunning too. Dad's not going to be able to take his eyes off you tonight."

Amelia chuckled, a sound as rich as the champagne they'd soon be drinking. "Well, your father's been hopelessly in love with me since the day we met. That's not going to change tonight."

As if on cue, Denzel Mireo Thorne appeared in the doorway, his presence commanding as always. His black tuxedo was tailored to perfection, every inch of him the powerful figurehead of Thorne Enterprises. He beamed at his two favorite women, the love in his eyes unmistakable.

"There they are," he said, stepping into the room. "The two most beautiful women in the world. Am I the luckiest man alive, or what?"

Amelia turned to him with a smile that spoke volumes. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Denzel."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple, their affection palpable. Selena watched them with a soft smile, her heart warmed by the sight. Even after all these years, her parents were still as in love as ever—partners in life and business, united in everything.

Denzel's gaze shifted to Selena, his smile widening. "And look at you, sweetheart. You're going to steal the spotlight tonight, as usual."

"Dad, stop," Selena laughed, though her cheeks flushed with warmth.

"I'm serious. If I were Frey, I'd be nervous standing next to you on that stage." Denzel's comment hung in the air for a moment, and Selena's smile faltered ever so slightly. Frey. It had been so long since they'd last seen each other, and yet, tonight was all about him.

The Ackenboroughs were back in London for the first time in a decade, and tonight's gala wasn't just a celebration—it was a handover. Frey's father, Ron, was officially stepping down as CEO of Ackenborough Industries, and Frey was taking over. The thought of seeing him again, after ten long years, made her heart race in ways she wasn't ready to admit.

Amelia caught the flicker in her daughter's expression and squeezed her hand. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

Selena nodded, glancing at her mother in the mirror. "Yeah... it has."

"I'm sure tonight will be wonderful," Amelia said softly. "Frey's parents are so proud of him, just like we are of you."

Denzel's voice was reassuring as he came up beside them. "He's grown up, just like you have, Selena. But you two have always had a bond, no matter how many miles or years come between you."

Selena's heart squeezed at her father's words. It was true. No matter how far apart they'd been, Frey had always been a part of her. But tonight would be different. He wasn't the boy she'd grown up with anymore. He was the man who now held the reins of a billion-dollar empire. And she wasn't sure if she was ready to face what that meant for them.