Chapter 211
Chapter 211:
I couldn’t go back to the time when I should have been happy, with a complete family. If things had been different, I wouldn’t have been standing there, marrying a man just to have a chance at justice for what was done to me. That man knew nothing but judging me and insulting me for agreeing to marry him.
Tears of pain slipped down my cheeks, and in that last moment, my mind and heart wavered. I wondered—again and again—if I should go through with this. I counted the last steps in my head until I felt Craig’s hand settle gently on my arm. I looked at him.
He offered a reassuring smile, then nodded and whispered, “Don’t waste your last chance, Sophia. God has always had a good plan for everything happening to you right now p>
I drew a deep breath, nodded, and tried to smile back.
Then the moment of truth arrived. We finally reached the altar. Craig and my future mother-in-law guided me the rest of the way before giving me one last hug. They placed my hand into the hand I was meant to take. Daniel stood there with a stern look as he accepted it. I gave him a small smile anyway.
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He said nothing, and he didn’t bother returning the smile. I sighed quietly and walked with him toward the priest. When the music stopped, I glanced toward the church choir, where Rian stood. She gave me an affectionate smile and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’m always here, Belle. I’ll help you along the way p>
“Welcome to the wedding ceremony of Daniel and Sophia Ysabelle. Today we gather to celebrate the most intimate bond between two people. Each of you has been invited not only to witness this ceremony, but to stand as meaningful witnesses to the love Daniel and Sophia Ysabelle share p>
I bit my lip and closed my eyes. An intimate bond. Love. I almost laughed, because we felt none of that. I exhaled and looked back at Daniel, and this time he was watching me closely. I refused to look away, even when I felt my resolve soften inside me. It was the first time in a long while that I met his gaze without hearing him speak. And then I noticed the color of his eyes—hazel-brown, threaded with soft swirls of gold, brown, and green.
Wow.
The surprise hit so fast I didn’t even realize I’d been smiling at him. I came back to reality when his handsome face turned somber again and he shifted to listen to the priest.
What an idiot. Couldn’t he smile—couldn’t he even return one? It felt rude.
I was still wondering how I was holding myself back from rolling my eyes.
“Forgive me, dear God,” I murmured, forcing myself to focus on the ceremony.
“May your journey as husband and wife be filled with love. May it bring you joy, peace, and a spirit of strength and wisdom. May these blessings remain with you always. You may kiss p>
My heart raced the moment the priest finished.
The church erupted into applause, everyone waiting for us to seal the ceremony with a kiss.