Chapter 18W
The morning of my wedding felt surreal. For the first time in years, I woke up without the weight of my past suffocating me. No more trials. No more vengeance. No more Elias.
Just me.N
And Brandon.
The thought made my heart race.N
I sat before the vanity, staring at my reflection as the stylists fluttered around me–fixing my hair, applying soft makeup, perfecting every little detail.
“Are you nervous?“N
I turned to Jasmine, who sat beside me, grinning like a devil.
I scoffed. “No.“N
She gasped dramatically. “You’re lying!”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not nervous.“N
Jasmine smirked. “Right.” She leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Because you’re finally marrying the guy you had a huge crush on when we were younger.“W
I glared at her through the mirror. “Jasmine,”
She giggled.N
I’shook my head, but deep down, I knew she wasn’t wrong.
This day–this moment–was something I had never imagined for myself. Not after everything. Not after the pain, the betrayals.
But here I was.N
Starting again.N
A fresh slate.N
A new life.N
Jasmine sighed, squeezing my hand. “You deserve this, Vic.“W
I exhaled.N
And for the first time, I truly believed it.
The ceremony was held at an exclusive estate overlooking the ocean. The sky was painted in warm hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over everything.
Everything was perfect.
The guests. The music. The flowers.
And then-
Brandon.
Standing at the altar, dressed in a classic black tuxedo, looking at me like I was the only thing that mattered in the entire world.
My heart skipped.
This wasn’t an arrangement anymore.
This wasn’t a deal,}
This was real.}
I walked down the aisle slowly, my dress flowing behind me, every step pulling me closer to him.”
To us.
To a future I never thought I’d have.}
Brandon reached for my hand the moment I got to him, his fingers warm and steady.
“Hey,” he murmured.
I smiled softly. “Hey.”
The officiant began speaking, but I barely heard a word.
I was too focused on him.
His touch.
His eyes.
The way he was looking at me–as if he had been waiting for this moment, for me, all along.
And when it was time-
“Do you, Veronica, take Brandon to be your lawfully wedded husband?“}
I swallowed, my chest tightening.
“I do.”
Brandon’s grip on my hand tightened.
10:13 AM
*
‘And do you, Brandon, take Veronica-”
“I do.”
His voice was firm. No hesitation. No doubt.
And then-
“You may now kiss the bride.””
Brandon smirked.
He didn’t wait.
His hands slid to my waist, pulling me in, his lips capturing mine in a deep, lingering kiss.}
Applause erupted. Jasmine cheered.
But all I could feel was him.
And for the first time in my life-
I knew.
I was home.!
The celebration was beautiful.
A mix of elegant and intimate, filled with laughter, dancing, and enough champagne to last a lifetime.
I barely left Brandon’s side the entire night.”
Not because I had to.
But because I wanted to.
“You’re staring,” I murmured, taking a sip of my drink.
Brandon smirked, leaning against the bar. “I’m allowed to. You’re my wife now.”}
My breath hitched slightly.
My husband.
I still wasn’t used to the sound of it.
He reached for my hand, pulling me closer. “You know I’m going to make you say that over and over again tonight.”} My face burned.}
I shoved him lightly. “Brandon.“}
He laughed, pressing a kiss to my temple.
And then Jasmine appeared out of nowhere, tipsy and grinning.
“Alright, lovebirds,” she slurred slightly, “time to go.”}
I frowned. “Go where?“}
Jasmine winked. “Your honeymoon, duh.“}
Brandon smirked. “Finally.“}
Before I could react, he had swept me off my feet, carrying me bridal style through the crowd as our guests cheered and whistled.}
I laughed, holding onto him tightly.}
And as we stepped into the waiting car, my heart raced.§
Because I knew.
Tonight would change everything.2
The suite was breathtaking–floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, candlelit dinner set up on the balcony, champagne waiting on ice.
But all I could focus on-
Was him.”
Brandon loosened his tie, his sharp blue eyes locked onto mine as he took slow, deliberate steps forward.
The air shifted.”
I swallowed, my pulse quickening.”
“Are you nervous?” he murmured.
I inhaled shakily. “No.”
Brandon smirked. “Liar.”
My breath hitched as he reached for me, his fingers grazing my skin, sending shivers down my spine. “Tell me to stop,” he murmured.}
I didn’t.
I couldn’t.
Instead, I tilted my chin up, meeting his gaze. “Don’t stop.”
Something dark flashed in his eyes.}
And then he moved.
His lips crashed against mine, hands pulling me flush against his chest. I gasped, my fingers tangling in his hair, my entire body melting into him.N
Brandon groaned softly, lifting me effortlessly, carrying me toward the bed.N
The moment we hit the mattress, everything blurred.N
His touch–hot, demanding, worshipping.N
His lips–trailing down my neck, over my collarbone, lower–N
My heart–pounding, erratic, ready.N
He looked down at me, his breathing ragged. “Mine.“N
I shivered. “Yours,“N
And when he finally claimed me–N
There was no hesitation.N
No fear
Just us. Completely. Utterly. Finally!
