Chapter 15 - THE WEDDING THAT FINALLY BELONGED TO HER
One year after I walked out of the Whitfield house carrying my mother's tools, I stood in the garden at Castellano Manor.
The roses were blooming.
The air smelled of summer.
And my daughter slept in Rosa's arms.
Her name was Eleanor.
After my mother.
Adrian stood beside me.
His vision had improved with treatment, though he still needed his cane in unfamiliar places.
He wore a dark suit.
His expression was softer than the day we'd met.
We had decided to renew our vows.
Not because the first ceremony was invalid.
But because this time, we wanted to choose each other without fear.
I wore a simple ivory dress.
Adrian held my hands.
“Evelyn.”
His voice trembled.
“When we first met, I asked whether you wanted the marriage.”
I nodded.
“You did.”
He smiled sadly.
“And you couldn't answer.”
Tears filled my eyes.
He continued:
“I should have made sure you had a real choice before anything else.”
I squeezed his hands.
He looked at me.
“So today, I'm asking again.”
My heart pounded.
“Evelyn Whitfield Castellano.”
He smiled.
“Will you choose me?”
I looked around.
At the garden.
At Rosa holding my daughter.
At the friends who had become family.
At the cello resting inside the music room.
At the man who had learned that love required honesty.
Then I smiled.
“Yes.”
Adrian's eyes filled.
“Yes?”
I laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
He kissed me.
Our guests cheered.
Later, we stood together beneath the garden lights.
Adrian wrapped his arms around me.
“Happy?”
I smiled.
“Very.”
He kissed my forehead.
“Good.”
I looked toward the manor.
The place that had once frightened me now felt like home.
Not because it was enormous.
Not because it belonged to a wealthy man.
But because I'd finally learned what family was supposed to feel like.
Safe.
Honest.
Chosen.
Adrian took my hand.
“Ready to go inside?”
I looked at him.
Then smiled.
May you like
“Yes.”
And together, we walked home.
