Chapter 15 - THE ROOM HE COULD FINALLY SEE
Their wedding took place in a garden overlooking the Hudson.
The ceremony was small.
Family.
Friends.
People who had stood beside them through the difficult years.
Cora wore a simple ivory dress.
Voss wore a charcoal suit.
When she reached him, he smiled.
"Describe yourself," he whispered.
Cora laughed through tears.
"Beautiful."
He nodded.
"I knew that."
The officiant began.
Voss spoke first.
"Cora, you came into my life when I believed darkness was all I had left."
His voice trembled.
"You never treated me as helpless."
"You never pretended the world was easier than it was."
"And you never let me confuse fear with strength."
He took her hands.
"I promise to stand beside you."
"To listen."
"To trust."
"And to build a life with you that belongs to both of us."
Cora smiled through tears.
Then she spoke.
"Voss, I spent years believing I had to survive everything alone."
She looked toward the river.
"My brother taught me to be brave."
Then she looked back.
"And you taught me that being brave doesn't mean refusing love."
They exchanged rings.
The officiant smiled.
"You may kiss the bride."
Voss kissed her.
The guests applauded.
Later, they stood beside the river.
Voss turned toward her.
"Describe the sunset."
Cora smiled.
"Orange. Pink. A little purple near the water."
He nodded.
"Beautiful."
She leaned against him.
"Yes."
He smiled.
"But I wasn't talking about the sunset."
Cora laughed.
And for the first time in years, the Ghost no longer lived behind closed curtains.
He had a home.
A future.
A woman who loved him.
And a world he could experience without pretending he didn't need anyone.
May you like
The man everyone feared had finally learned that love was not weakness.
It was the bravest thing he'd ever chosen.
