Chapter 50
It’s a crisp October day, perfect for a wedding.
And, finally, after all these years and all my pain, today it’s mine, as is the man standing in front of the library he built me.
I see him now, though I’ve yet to begin my glide down the aisle.
He’s dressed in a traditional black tux with a white undershirt and a black bowtie.
Yet, when I look at him, all I see is his smile and those eyes—the eyes that have always looked at me with love, the eyes that have made me feel seen and special, the eyes that told me he was different.
He waits for me with love stories of old as our witness and yet, just as I knew the first time he brought me here, today, I am sure—our love story is my favorite.
I glance down, noting my dress. It’s a form fitting gown covered in lace floral appliques.
It has a sweetheart bodice, white chiffon sleeves draping off my shoulders, and a small train that trails behind me.
Ana helped me style it with sheer white gloves, donning the same floral appliques as the dress.
The finishing touches are a pair of diamond stud earrings and my wedding gift from Gio—a diamond tiara.
I find it perfectly symbolizes my prisoner-to-princess twist of fate.
Before meeting Gio, I never knew a love or a life like this could exist. My mind was so rooted in survival.
The weight of the world was wearing me down, and it took everything in me to keep Delilah from seeing my worry, my trauma, my fear.
When Gio and I met, time truly did stop, and I was transported into this fairytale that seemed so unimaginable that I didn’t even realize it when it happened.
Perhaps, when I started to feel it, I even fought against it.
But now, here we are. Today is both the end and the beginning.
And I cannot wait to live the love that will fill the remaining pages of our stories—his, mine, and ours.
Lowering my gaze to Delilah, she looks up at me with a smile and I take her hand.
We’ve waited long enough for our happily-ever-after, for our second chance.
After what happened with Clive, we both needed time to heal—in more ways than one.
Gio took good care of us both. I made a full recovery and with the help of Ariana, who has experience working with trauma victims, Delilah is happier than ever.
Though, it didn’t happen overnight nor without setbacks, which is part of the reason Gio and I have waited so long to make our union official.
Not to mention, with Alister’s return, Gio needed time to make certain arrangements.
Now, officially retired from the job I never truly understood, we begin again—free from the shackles of our past.
Hand in hand, Delilah and I walk through the iron arch covered with climbing roses.
Stepping into the garden full of flowers and sculptures of couples in loving embraces, the small group of people I’ve learned to call family stand from their white chairs and bear witness to our union.
Yet they fade away as I lock eyes with Mr. Moretti.
The nearer I get, the quicker I walk. It’s as if there is an invisible string tied between his heart and mine.
As I reach him, he kneels and hugs Delilah, kissing her softly on the head.
She returns his embrace and then takes her seat next to Damon, Ana, Brinkley, and Ru. And then it’s just the two of us.
He looks me up and down, savoring my spirit and body. I will never get used to the way he looks at me or the kindness he speaks and showers me with. As his eyes meet mine, my lips draw into a smile that makes my cheeks hurt. My breath catches in my throat.
This man of mine is an enigma—gorgeous, protective, powerful, and tender.
I once felt as if I didn’t deserve him and all that he’s given me.
He’s shared similar sentiments, not feeling like he deserved to be happy after all that he’s done.
Perhaps that’s what makes us perfectly made for one another.
Perhaps that’s why we’ve been given this chance to spend the rest of our days loving each other.
Because only those who know what it is to feel unworthy and unloveable know how to love with enough depth and desperation to heal each other’s broken parts.
“You look enchanting, my angel,” Gio says, offering me his hand. “Are you ready to be my wife?”
“More than anything, yes.”