Miranda's gaze shifted between Elizabeth and the man. "You need to go back, you are drunk" she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Elizabeth nodded, her heart heavy with regret. As she stood up to leave, she stole one last glance at the man who had captured her heart in a single night.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling of the leaves.
He smiled sadly, his eyes filled with understanding. "No regrets," he replied, his voice tinged with bittersweet affection.
With a heavy heart, Elizabeth followed Miranda back to the marriage party, her mind consumed by thoughts of the man she had left behind. As she reentered the venue, she was acutely aware of the life she was returning to, the life she had momentarily forgotten in the presence of a stranger.
