Chapter 16:
The Wedding

4 Years Later

Every girl, at some point in her life, closes her eyes and dreams of this exact moment. She dreams of finding that one person-the man who will love her not just for her beauty or her status, but for exactly who she is. The man who will look at her flaws and see them not as imperfections, but as unique parts of her that make her perfect in his eyes. The man who will choose her, every single day, no matter what life throws their way.

Olivia Kierra Lim was no different. She had dreamed of this day since she was a little girl playing dress-up in her mother's closet. And now, standing in the private bridal suite of the Lorenzo Grand Estate-walls lined with gilded moldings and sunlit floor-to-ceiling windows-she stared at her reflection, hardly daring to believe her dream had become reality.

Her gown hung before her: a masterpiece of ivory silk satin, strapless and structured to flatter her frame, with hand-sewn 3D lace blooms climbing the bodice and cascading down the cathedral-length train. Her veil, edged with scattered pearl flowers, draped from a delicate golden crown that glinted like starlight. And resting in her hands was her bridal bouquet-her absolute favorite detail: a lush cascading arrangement of antique dusty pink roses, deep velvety burgundy blooms, mixed with muted foliage and tiny berry sprays. The colors blended like aged romance-soft and delicate at first glance, but rich, intense, and enduring at the heart, just like the love she held for Gavin. The sparkling crystal bracelet on her wrist caught the light as she held it close to her chest, breathing in its sweet, earthy scent. She'd spent months refining every detail, and the result was breathtaking-but as she brushed her fingers over the cool satin and the soft petals, a quiet ache stirred in her chest.

Maybe, the way I loved him before was wrong. Maybe I was too possessive, too desperate, too willing to hurt others just to keep him close. But even if my methods were wrong, the feeling itself was always right. Love, after all, is never truly wrong-it just is. And she had loved Gavin Lorenzo with every beat of her heart, with every breath in her lungs, and with every piece of her soul.

And today was the day. Today, they would stand in that ancient stone chapel-its vaulted ceilings strung with crystal chandeliers, its aisle lined with glowing glass candles and clouds of baby's breath, the polished floor mirroring every light and shadow like a pool of still water-and make a sacred vow to stay by each other's sides forever.

Looking back at the past three years, she realized she had finally gained everything she had ever wanted. She had his attention, his care, his protection, and most importantly, his love. He was hers, completely and undeniably hers. Yet, even as happiness swelled inside her chest, there was a small, quiet voice in the back of her mind-a voice that she tried hard to ignore. You have become the person you once despised, it whispered. You did things you never thought you were capable of doing. You walked over people to get here.

She hated herself sometimes when she thought about it. She hated the choices she had made and the paths she had taken. But then, she'd remember Gavin's smile-that warm, genuine smile that lit up his brown-golden eyes-and suddenly, all the guilt and doubt would fade away. As long as he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world, nothing else mattered. Not the past, not the secrets, not the cost of their happiness.

"Olivia, sweetheart? Are you ready?"

Her mother's soft voice broke through her thoughts. Olivia turned to see Mrs. Lim standing by the door, holding a lace handkerchief. Her usually poised, sharp mother looked unmoored today-eyes puffy and red, makeup slightly dewy, her expression a mix of overwhelming pride and raw emotion. In all her life, Olivia could not remember ever seeing her mother this vulnerable.

"Mum, don't cry," Olivia said gently, shaking her head with a soft laugh. She reached out and took her mother's hand, the bouquet resting gracefully in the crook of her arm. "You know we spent hours perfecting this makeup. If you keep crying like that, we'll both look a mess walking down the aisle." She touched her own face-soft glowing base, winged liner, glossy rose lips, the layered gold necklaces resting against her collarbone catching the light.

Her mother let out a tearful chuckle, dabbing her cheeks carefully. "You've grown up too fast, Olivia. It feels like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms, and now... now you are about to become someone's wife. I didn't even notice the time passing. I was too busy being a businesswoman, too busy chasing success and wealth, that I forgot to be the mother you needed me to be."

Olivia squeezed her hand tighter. She knew her parents weren't perfect. Her mother was strong-willed, focused, and often distant; her father was strict and traditional. Years ago, when she was younger and more impulsive, she would have been angry to hear this-would have held their distance against them. But the last four years had changed everything. They had taught her that everyone makes mistakes, everyone has flaws, and everyone tries their best in their own way. She understood now that her parents loved her, even if they showed it differently than other families did.

"I have to thank Clara for that, Olivia," her mother continued, her voice trembling as fresh tears rolled down her face. "Clara... and Kathryna. They became the family that your dad and I were too busy to be. They were always there for you-listening to you, laughing with you, planning every dream right beside you."

At the mention of that name-Kathryna-Olivia felt a sharp pang in her chest, so sudden and cold it almost took her breath away. It was a name she had locked away, a memory she'd tried to bury deep under satin, gold, and these beautiful rose petals. Kathryna Suarez. Her best friend. The girl with whom she'd once shared every secret, every hope, every childhood dream.

Where was she now? Did she know that today was the day Olivia was marrying Gavin? Did she know that the future they'd once planned together had become Olivia's alone?

"I am sorry for being so emotional, sweetheart," Mrs. Lim said, pulling Olivia from her spiraling thoughts. She wrapped her arms around her daughter in a warm, tight hug. "As your mother, I just want you to know that I am so incredibly happy for you. You deserve all the love in the world."

A soft knock sounded against the heavy oak door.

"Come in!" Mrs. Lim called out, straightening her posture and wiping the last traces of tears from her face.

The door opened slowly, and Mr. Lim stepped inside. The moment he saw Olivia in her wedding gown-regal, glowing, every inch the bride-he stopped in his tracks. His eyes filled with tears instantly, and he looked at her with such deep adoration that Olivia felt her own throat tighten.

"Wow," he breathed out, his voice thick with emotion. "My dear... you look absolutely stunning. That bouquet... it suits you perfectly-classic, romantic, and so full of life. Like you."

"Thank you, Dad," Olivia replied softly, smiling as he took both her hands in his large, warm ones. He smiled back, but she caught the quiet worry hidden behind his pride.

"Olivia, my princess," he said seriously, looking deep into her eyes. "Promise me something. Promise me that no matter what happens from this day forward-good or bad, happy or heartbreaking-you will always remain strong. Promise me you will never lose yourself, even as you give your heart to the man you love."

Olivia nodded slowly. She knew exactly what he meant. He had always warned her: Loving him too much will break you. The way you've fought for him is not right. She knew he was right. She knew she'd been wrong, selfish, reckless.

But today, standing here with her perfect bouquet in hand, surrounded by luxury and love, she wanted to forget the nightmares. Today was the best day of her life-and nothing would ruin it.

"We really should go now," her mother said, glancing at her watch. "The ceremony begins in fifteen minutes."

With one last glance in the mirror-at the crown on her head, the glow on her skin, the rich colors of her bouquet-they left the suite, making their way toward the chapel.



The Ceremony

Walking down the aisle was the most nerve-wracking moment of Olivia's life. Her heart hammered so hard against her ribs she feared everyone could hear it. Her palms sweated inside satin gloves as she held her bouquet close, her legs felt unsteady, and every eye in the small, elegant gathering seemed to follow her.

But then she lifted her head-and there he was.

Standing tall at the altar, Gavin Lorenzo looked breathtaking in his tailored ivory suit-crisp, luxurious, the fabric catching the warm chapel light. His dark hair was perfectly styled, a thin gold chain glinting at his throat, his posture effortless and commanding against the grand stone backdrop. The moment his gaze met hers, his face softened completely. His brown-golden eyes lit up, warm and bright, like he'd been waiting for her his whole life.

All her nervousness vanished in an instant.

From this moment on, he was hers. Her husband-to-be, her partner, her world. She loved him so fiercely she knew she'd do anything to keep him-even if it meant carrying guilt, even if it meant hiding the truth. She knew how selfish she was. She knew she probably didn't deserve this perfect happiness. But people always said love makes you do crazy things-and she was living proof of that.

She took her first step. The mirrored aisle stretched before her, reflecting the candles, the blooms, the vaulted ceiling, like walking through a dream. The soft pink and burgundy petals of her bouquet swayed gently as she moved, adding the perfect pop of romantic color against the white and gold of the chapel. The scent of roses and beeswax filled the air; the soft organ music swelled around her. Every guest smiled-warm, approving, happy for them. Everything was flawless. Everything was beautiful.

With every step, she drew closer to him. She watched his expression shift: pure joy, tenderness, love so deep it made her heart ache. If this was just a dream, she decided right then and there, she never wanted to wake up.

The ceremony was intimate-only family and closest friends-but every detail was luxurious and intentional, exactly as she'd planned. She'd poured her heart into every choice, and as she stood at the altar, her father pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before placing her hand into Gavin's warm, firm grip, pride swelled in her chest.

"You look absolutely breathtaking, Livie," Gavin whispered, his eyes lingering on her bouquet before meeting her gaze, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down her spine.

Olivia blushed beneath her veil, and he smiled, squeezing her hand gently before turning to face the priest.

"We are gathered here today," the priest began, his voice echoing softly off the stone walls, "to witness the celebration of love and commitment between these two souls, and to unite them in Holy Matrimony as husband and wife."

The prayers and blessings passed in a blur, and then came the vows-the moment she'd rehearsed a thousand times in her head.

"I, Olivia Kierra Lim," she started, her voice trembling, tears already spilling down her cheeks, the veil blurring her vision just enough to hide the flicker of fear in her eyes. "Take you, Gabriel Vincent Lorenzo, to be my husband. I promise to love you no matter what life brings us. To trust you, to stand by you through every storm, to build a home and a family with you. I promise to be yours-fully, completely, forever."

Then it was his turn. Gavin looked at her, his expression soft and sincere, his gaze holding hers without breaking.

"I, Gabriel Vincent Lorenzo," he said clearly, steady and strong, "Take you, Olivia Kierra Lim, to be my wife. I promise to love you unconditionally. To protect you, cherish you, and choose you every single day. I promise to give you everything I am, everything I have-for all our days."

As he finished, Olivia was a mess of happy tears.

The priest smiled. "Having exchanged your vows, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Gavin reached up slowly, brushing his fingers against her cheek as he lifted the veil from her face. He gazed at her-at her glossy lips, her glowing skin, the crown in her hair, the beautiful bouquet she still held-for one heartbeat, memorizing every detail, before leaning in and kissing her deeply, passionately, as the guests cheered around them.

It was perfect. A fairytale wedding, exactly as she'd always dreamed.

But as their lips parted, as Gavin rested his forehead against hers, Olivia caught it again: a flicker, just for a second, deep in his brown-golden eyes-regret. Pain. A memory he couldn't hide, just like she couldn't hide hers.

The chapel lights seemed to dim. The mirrored aisle behind them seemed to reflect not just candles and flowers, but a dark, stormy night... a girl waiting alone under a tree... rain soaking her dress... a promise left unkept.

Olivia's breath caught. What really happened those four years ago? Where did Kathryna go? Why did Gavin come back to me, and never speak of that night again?

Everyone saw the perfect bride and groom. Everyone saw the happy ending. But Olivia knew the truth-or at least, she knew that there was so much she didn't know. The secrets were buried deep, but they were still there. And as Gavin pulled her close, whispering "I love you" against her lips, Olivia felt a thrill of fear and excitement: this wasn't the end. The real story was only just beginning.