Chapter 29 - The Wedding
Two months later, the backyard of the Vale mansion was transformed into a paradise.
Thousands of white roses cascaded down the stone pillars, and string lights hung like stars in the evening sky.
There were no Syndicate bosses invited.
There were no politicians or cartel members.
It was just family, Maya, and a few trusted friends.
I stood in the foyer, looking at myself in the full-length mirror.
I was wearing a simple, elegant silk gown that made me feel like royalty.
Maya stood behind me, fixing my veil with tears in her eyes.
"You look perfect, Nia," Maya whispered, squeezing my shoulders.
"Are you ready?"
I took a deep breath, looking at the scar on my knee from the day Marcus attacked us.
It was a reminder of everything I had survived to get to this moment.
"I'm ready," I smiled.
The music started playing, a soft, acoustic melody that drifted through the open French doors.
I didn't walk down the aisle alone.
Evan, Caleb, Noah, and Luke were waiting for me at the edge of the patio.
They were wearing matching black tuxedos, looking incredibly handsome and incredibly proud.
Luke grabbed my left hand, and Evan offered me his right arm.
"Don't trip, Mom," Evan teased softly, though his eyes were completely sincere.
"I've got you," I whispered back.
We walked down the stone path together, a united front of love and survival.
At the end of the aisle stood Adrian Vale.
He wasn't wearing his intimidating mob boss glare.
He was smiling so brightly it entirely changed his face, tears shining in his dark eyes as he watched us approach.
When Evan handed my hand over to his father, Adrian gripped it like I was his lifeline.
"You look stunning," Adrian whispered.
"You look pretty good yourself," I whispered back.
The ceremony was short, sweet, and perfectly us.
We didn't just exchange rings; we exchanged a promise to protect the life we had fought so hard to build.
May you like
When the officiant finally pronounced us husband and wife, Adrian didn't just kiss me.
He pulled me into a fierce embrace, burying his face in my neck as the boys cheered loudly in the front row.
