Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Noelle
"Ma'am, here's the revised guest list."
Dmitri placed a file on the coffee table. I sat beside Kholod, flipping through it. The pages were packed with the most powerful names from Philadelphia and the entire East Coast.
"Isn't this too many people?" I frowned slightly.
"This is the trimmed version," Kholod explained gently. "Noelle, you're the lady of the Morozov family. This wedding isn't just about family honor—it's our fresh start. It has to be grand enough."
"But..."
"I want everyone to see," he looked at me with determination, "that you're the only wife I treasure."
I sighed softly and continued reading through the list. Ever since I'd agreed to come back with him, he'd been announcing to everyone that I was his wife.
"Boss, there's something else to report."
"Go ahead."
"About that night's attack—it was Kieran with his remaining forces who planned it."
"Kieran?" I looked up in surprise.
"Yes." Dmitri nodded. "Boss should have mentioned Isabella's situation to you. After that incident, we've been hunting him down, but he managed to slip away and hide. This attack was his revenge."
"And now he's..."
"Dead." Kholod's tone was calm. "This time we're certain."
I'd just started to relax when my heart clenched again.
"What about Lorenzo? How is he?"
Dmitri and Kholod exchanged a glance.
"Ma'am," Dmitri chose his words carefully, "Lorenzo Conti went completely insane after the attack."
"What?" My voice trembled slightly.
"The Bellucci family took him in. But he couldn't accept that you chose Boss... He wanders the Philadelphia streets all day with a bundle of withered roses, telling anyone who'll listen that he needs to bring his bride home."
"He's lost his mind?" I couldn't believe it.
"Yes, ma'am. Completely."
My hands started shaking, tears welling up instantly.
"Lorenzo..."
"Noelle." Kholod pulled me into his arms. "Don't be sad."
"But it's because of me..."
"Not entirely," he said softly. "Kieran exploited his feelings, and he chose this path himself."
"But..."
"I won't destroy him completely." Kholod sighed. "There's no point with a madman, especially one who helped you before. This is more about his own obsession."
I leaned against him, tears sliding down silently. Lorenzo, who had helped me, protected me—how had he ended up like this?
"Stop crying." He patted my back gently. "All the old grudges and entanglements should be let go. We need to look forward."
I wiped my tears and nodded.
"Dmitri," Kholod instructed, "arrange for someone to regularly send Lorenzo necessities. Make sure he has food and shelter."
"Yes, boss."
"Also, how's the Bellucci family asset transfer progressing? Have our people assist with it—all of that will be Noelle's from now on."
"Everything's been returned. By the way, ma'am, since you've been back, Madam Sofia has requested to see you six times. Would you like to meet with her?"
I sighed softly. I resented my mother, but I couldn't blame her for everything. During my three years away, except for Zoe, I'd cut contact with almost all my relatives.
"Arrange the meeting."
"Understood."
After Dmitri left, Kholod held me tighter.
"Noelle," he whispered in my ear, "it's all over. From now on, we can truly start our new life."
I closed my eyes, settling safely into his embrace.
Christmas Eve arrived as planned.
I stood outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, staring at the building that had once witnessed my humiliation.
"Nervous?" Zoe walked over—today she was my maid of honor.
"A little," I admitted honestly.
"Don't worry," she squeezed my hand, "I'll be right here with you."
"Thank you, Zoe."
She smiled. "We don't need to say things like that between us."
"Noelle." Anya's voice came from behind me. She and Anastasia had just returned after handling business in Russia.
"Long time no see." Anya looked me up and down. "Nice dress. Much better than the last one."
"Thank you."
"Who said I was complimenting you?" She turned away, ears slightly red. "I'm just stating facts."
"You're right." I couldn't help but smile.
"Also," she pulled an elegant jewelry box from her bag, "this is for you."
Inside was a bracelet with a simple yet exquisite design.
"This is..."
"Wedding gift." Her tone was awkward. "That design sketch you gave me last time—I had someone make it into the real thing. Mother and I each have one, and this is yours."
"Anya..." My eyes grew hot.
"Don't cry!" She said quickly. "This is just returning the favor! Don't read too much into it!"
"Okay, I won't read into it. Thank you, Anya."
"You talk too much." She turned around. "The ceremony's about to start. Get inside. Can't keep Kholod waiting too long."
The church doors slowly opened, and the pipe organ began its solemn melody. I walked into the church on my mother's arm, the red carpet lined with guests on both sides, all eyes focused on me.
But in my eyes, there was only that figure at the altar—Kholod.
He wore a black suit, standing tall and straight. When he saw me, his eyes instantly lit up.
I walked toward him step by step, heart pounding like a drum. But this time, it wasn't forced—it was my choice.
"You look beautiful," he said softly when I reached him.
The priest began the ceremony.
"Kholod Morozov, do you take Noelle Bellucci to be your wife, through good times and bad, wealth and poverty, sickness and health, to love her, honor her, and stay by her side for life?"
"I do." His voice was firm and strong.
"Noelle Bellucci, do you take Kholod Morozov to be your husband, through good times and bad, wealth and poverty, sickness and health, to love him, honor him, and stay by his side for life?"
I took a deep breath.
"I do."
Kholod's eyes grew slightly misty.
"Now, groom, please place the ring on your bride's finger."
He pulled a diamond ring from his jacket—simple yet elegant design with a brilliant center stone.
"Noelle," he took my hand, slowly sliding the ring onto my ring finger, "this time, I want to marry you the right way."
"I now pronounce," the priest smiled, "you husband and wife. Groom, you may kiss your bride."
Kholod cupped my face and leaned down tenderly.
The kiss was reverent and deep.
Applause echoed through the church.
I closed my eyes, letting tears of happiness fall.
After the wedding, we returned to Gladwyn Manor.
"Noelle, close your eyes," Kholod said at the door. "I have a surprise for you."
"Okay." I obediently closed my eyes.
He took my hand, leading me down the long hallway.
"You can open them now."
I opened my eyes and froze in place.
On the desk sat a brand new laptop and a set of professional camera equipment.
"This is..."
"For you," he said. "Noelle, you've been writing a blog all along, haven't you?"
"But that account was deleted..."
"I had it restored." He walked to the desk and picked up a document. "This is the ownership papers for the 'Vagabond Dreams' domain. Now this blog belongs completely to you."
I took the document, hands trembling slightly.
"You... you restored all the data?"
"Every article, every photo," he said with certainty. "All of it's back."
"Kholod..." Tears filled my eyes.
"Don't cry." He gently wiped away my tears with his fingertips. "I once destroyed your dreams with my own hands. Now, let me help you pick them up again."
"Thank you..."
"No need to thank me." He kissed my forehead lightly. "This is what I should do."
He walked to the bookshelf and took down a large scroll.
"What's this?"
"Look."
He slowly unrolled the scroll on the floor.
It was a detailed world map, marked with countless locations.
"These," he pointed to the map, "are all the places you once wanted to visit, right?"
I crouched down, staring at those familiar place names. Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Morocco... all the dream destinations I'd recorded in my blog.
"Yes."
"Then let's go." He crouched beside me. "From now on, anywhere you want to go, we'll go together."
"Really?"
"Really." He pulled a black card from his pocket and handed it to me. "This card has no limit. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to buy, you can use it."
I took the card, looking at the name "Noelle Morozov" on it.
"Kholod..."
"Your world," he gripped my hand tightly, his gaze gentle yet determined, "shouldn't be trapped in any manor. Noelle, I promise—from now on, I won't be your cage anymore. I'll be the companion who explores the world with you."
I looked at the sincere light in his eyes and couldn't help throwing myself into his arms.
"Thank you..." I choked up. "Kholod, really, thank you..."
"No, I'm the one who should say thank you." He held me tightly. "Noelle, thank you for giving me a second chance. I'll spend my whole life treasuring you, loving you."
We embraced in front of this map filled with dreams.
Outside the window, snow began to fall again.
But this time, I only found the scene breathtakingly beautiful. Because I knew that no matter where the future took us, he'd be by my side. And I could finally spread my wings and fly free.
THE END