Chapter 14 - The Wedding They Chose
The second wedding was small.
No mafia guests.
No armed men.
No political deals.
No hidden documents.
Only people they trusted.
Sterling was not there.
He had accepted responsibility and was rebuilding his life far from the Kane empire.
Mason stood beside Everett.
Willa's mother sat in the front row.
She had finally returned to her daughter openly.
When Willa walked toward Everett, he smiled.
She wasn't wearing an expensive gown.
She had chosen something simple.
Elegant.
Her mother cried quietly.
Everett took Willa's hands.
“I once believed survival meant never trusting anyone.”
Willa smiled.
“And now?”
“Now I know survival is finding someone worth trusting.”
The ceremony continued.
When the minister asked Willa if she accepted Everett, she looked at him.
“I do.”
This time, Everett answered immediately.
“I do.”
They kissed.
The applause was soft.
Warm.
Real.
Later that evening, they stood alone outside the chapel.
Willa looked at the marble steps.
“This is where everything started.”
Everett nodded.
“You were terrified.”
“So were you.”
“I wasn't.”
“You were pretending to be unconscious.”
“That doesn't mean I was brave.”
She laughed.
He kissed her forehead.
Then they heard footsteps.
Mason approached.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
Everett looked at him.
“What is it?”
Mason smiled.
“Nothing dangerous.”
Willa raised an eyebrow.
“That sounds suspicious.”
Mason handed Everett a small envelope.
Everett opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Willa and Everett standing together after the wedding.
On the back was a handwritten message.
Your mother would be proud.
Everett looked toward Willa.
She smiled.
For the first time, there was no threat hidden behind the words.
Only peace.
Everett folded the photograph.
“Let's go home.”
May you like
Willa slipped her hand into his.
And together, they walked away from the chapel.
