Natasha Blackwood stood in front of the large mirror in her private room, where she had been getting ready for her engagement party with Adam Ashford.
She looked completely different from her usual simple appearance when she was on duty at the hospital as an OB-GYN
Her makeup was flawless, while the red off-shoulder gown hugged her figure perfectly before flaring out from the knees downward like an inverted umbrella.
Her honey-blonde hair, which she usually left straight and loose down her back in a simple and rather boring style, had been beautifully curled tonight. A luxurious silver tiara headband adorned with a brilliant red ruby completed her glamorous appearance.
Tonight was her engagement night with Adam Ashford, the man she had been dating ever since she began her residency at the luxurious hospital owned by the Ashford family four years ago.
Adam was a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon at Ashford Memorial Medical Center, the ultra-luxurious hospital owned by the prestigious Ashford family.
And at only thirty-four years old, he had already become the head of the surgical department.
Knock... knock... knock...
Someone knocked on the her room door.
Natasha looked toward it as the door slowly opened, revealing two middle-aged women in elegant, soft-peach-colored dresses. Both smiled warmly at her.
They were her mother, Mrs. Anna Blackwood, and her future mother-in-law, Diana Ashford.
"It's time, sweetheart. All the guests and the family are already waiting. Come on, let's head to the party," Diana said gently.
Natasha nodded and began walking toward the two women, who were nearly the same age.
"Let's go," Natasha said briefly.
The three women descended the stairs, Natasha walking between her mother and future mother-in-law as they made their way toward the sprawling garden of the Blackwood family's official residence, where the party was being held.
The moment they reached the exit, everyone's eyes turned toward Natasha.
One by one, everyone stood, making way for the bride-to-be as she walked toward the low stage covered with red roses and accented with delicate lilies of the valley.
At the far end of the party area stood a massive wisteria tree belonging to Mrs. Anna Blackwood, its cascading flowers creating a breathtaking backdrop.
That was where Adam was waiting for her.
He looked incredibly handsome in a classic three-piece black suit, tailored by hand, paired with a red shirt and matching tie.
His hair, which was usually slightly long and brushed over the nape of his neck, had been neatly trimmed into a two-block haircut. He looked just like a CEO straight out of a Korean drama.
When Natasha reached the edge of the stage, Adam extended his hand to help her up.
"You look absolutely beautiful tonight, sweetheart," he whispered into her ear.
Natasha felt her cheeks grow hot, a blush spreading across them that was even more noticeable than the blush on her makeup.
She smiled shyly.
"The couple is now invited to exchange rings as a symbol of their serious commitment as they take the next step in their relationship toward marriage."
The master of ceremonies officially invited them to the highlight of the engagement party—the ring exchange.
A little girl, barely two and a half years old, toddled toward the stage carrying a small basket filled with flower petals, with two rings resting on top.
She was Athena Harrington, Adam's only niece and the only daughter of his older sister, Monica Ashford, and her husband, Armand Harrington.
The shy little girl handed the basket to her uncle.
Adam knelt down and took both rings from the basket before gently stroking Athena's head with affection.
"Thank you, sweetheart," he said lovingly.
"Hmph."
Athena gave a small sound before nodding enthusiastically. Then she returned to her seat between her parents.
Adam rose and stood facing Natasha, his hands open to reveal the two rings resting in his palms.
Natasha smiled and picked up one of them—the ring she would soon place on Adam's ring finger.
Adam took Natasha's left hand and slipped a white-gold ring adorned with a blue diamond onto her ring finger, the finger traditionally believed to contain the vena amoris, the "vein of love" said to lead directly to the heart.
After placing the ring on her finger, Adam lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed her fingertips.
A thunderous round of applause echoed throughout the main garden area of the Blackwood residence.
Then it was Natasha's turn.
At first, she was a little nervous. Her hand trembled as she slipped the ring onto Adam's ring finger, especially with Adam's eyes fixed directly on her.
Adam smiled before leaning down and gently kissing Natasha's forehead.
The applause erupted once again, this time even louder, when Adam intertwined his fingers with Natasha's and raised their joined hands into the air.
The garden party was attended by members of both the Ashford and Blackwood families, as well as Natasha and Adam's colleagues from the hospital.
After the ring exchange, Adam and Natasha stepped down from the stage and approached their families, greeting them one by one before moving on to the other guests.
"Congratulations to both of you. After all these years, your relationship is finally moving on to the next stage."
The words came from a man whose face was ninety-nine percent identical to Adam's.
He was Noah Ashford, the second child of the Ashford family after Monica—and Adam's own twin brother.
Noah was the handsome CEO of Ashford Wings Group, the Ashford family's massive construction company, which also owned several hotels and hospitals.
Although he looked almost ninety-nine percent identical to Adam, the aura surrounding Noah was completely different.
He appeared friendly yet commanding, quick to smile yet cold at the same time.
He was the complete opposite of Adam, whose presence radiated warmth like the morning sun.
"Thank you, Brother Noah."
Natasha looked directly into Noah's sharp, eagle-like eyes. A tiny beauty mark sat about an inch beneath one of his eyes—a feature Adam did not have and the only obvious distinction between the identical twins.
"So, when are you planning to have the wedding?" Noah asked as he handed a glass of champagne to Adam.
"In three months. We've already started preparing everything. Mom and Mom Anna have been busy with it too."
"Tomorrow, we're planning to visit a wedding venue. If we like it, we'll book it right away. Besides, everyone has already chosen the date," Adam replied, glancing toward the two mothers, who were happily chatting near the buffet table.
"Brother Adam... I'm here!"
While the three of them were absorbed in conversation, a sudden voice interrupted them.
Adam turned around.
There, he saw a petite strawberry-blonde girl waving at him before running toward them.
Without hesitation, she leaped into Adam's arms.
Adam's face was filled with disbelief. Almost instinctively, he wrapped his arms around the woman and returned her embrace.
"Marissa... You're here? How did you know I was here?" Adam asked.
"I missed all of you."
Instead of answering Adam's question, the girl simply gave a different response.
Natasha stared at the two of them in shock and disbelief.
Her eyes widened as she watched her fiancé embracing another woman.
"Who is she Adam...?"