Chapter 40
The wedding didn’t happen that weekend.
It happened that Friday afternoon—because Saif had decided he was bringing Jemma back to Lativa on Saturday. There was a major event, one his uncle, Sheik Khal, insisted would be the perfect opportunity to introduce Jemma, Jayla, and Jasper to the people.
Jemma had never seen a party, even a small one, come together so fast. Angela and Helen were a force of nature—controlled chaos with to-do lists, color swatches, and very firm opinions.
The ceremony was intimate and elegant, with just family and a few close friends. Jemma wore a tea-length dress that made her feel beautiful, and the diamond ring on her left hand caught the light like a secret whisper. It still startled her every time she noticed it.
Four days after saying yes, she stood at the top of the stone patio steps, heart pounding, watching Jasper carry Jayla in her tiny white dress down the aisle. At the bottom, Saif waited, flanked by his father and brother-in-law, looking impossibly handsome and impossibly hers.
The ceremony took only fifteen minutes—short, sweet, silly, and perfect.
When Saif slid the wedding band onto her finger, nestling it against the diamond, tears of happiness spilled down her cheeks.
“I love you,” she whispered.
The minister smiled. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
The small crowd rose, cheering and tossing rose petals into the air as Saif pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Jayla squealed and kicked with glee in Jasper’s arms, clearly delighted. Jasper beamed at his sister, pride and joy written all over his face.
The post-wedding feast was served on the stone patio, the long table loaded with mouthwatering dishes and blooming with floral arrangements. Laughter filled the air, wine flowed, and Jemma felt… whole.
When Jayla got fussy, Jemma gently took her from Saif. “I’ll be back,” she promised, knowing full well how much he hated being separated from his daughter.
After nursing Jayla and settling her down for a nap, Jemma drifted over to the window that Overlocked the front yard. The air had cooled, the first hints of fall brushing the trees with gold and amber. Soon, the whole landscape would be ablaze with color.
She should head back down. She really should. But she needed a few quiet minutes to breathe. To absorb the weight of everything she’d just gained.
Then something flickered at the edge of her vision.
She paused, uncertain why.
And then she saw it—really saw it.
Her scream rang out so loud, it could probably be heard in the next town.