Chapter 47

Chapter 47

I beamed as the wedding march began to play. The groom stood at the end of the aisle with the priest

as the organ played

the classic song

1 grasped Damon’s hand in mine, grinning as the doors opened and the bride entered on the arm of

our father.

It had taken a lot of work to get Corinna ready, but she was a vision.

My mother’s dress fit her just as well as it did me, and her new short hair dangled above her shoulders.

I’d done even up her hair and get rid of the mascara stains on her cheeks.

And now, she was a proper bride.

my

best to

Corinna floated down the aisle gracefully, the veil trailing behind her like a river of white. She reached

the end of the aisle, and our father passed her off to her new groom.

Ashton had a grimace on his face-like he had been asked to head to war instead of into marriage, but

he didn’t run. He stood there. Corinna’s hand in his own, as the priest began his spiel

“Do you, Ashton Steyn, take this woman to be your wife”

Ashton glanced out over the crowd which was waiting in anticipation for his answer. I bit my lip,

clenching Damon’s hand in

suspense.

Ashton turned to his father, who nodded. The groom swallowed, looking like he’d rather be anywhere

else before he bit out,

“I do.”

The priest nodded, turning to Corinna.

“And do you, Corinna Hildebrand, take this man to be your husband?”

“I do.”

Corinna’s answer was quick and efficient, strong as she held herself tall. I smiled, happy to see her so

confident after her breakdown earlier.

She had done so many things wrong, but I hoped she would turn her life around, that this was the

wake-up call she needed.

Maybe one day I could forgive her fully. Maybe one day we could act like real sisters.

But that day wasn’t today.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride,” the priest declared for all to hear.

Ashton pulled the veil away from Corinna’s face, his eyes cold as he leaned down and pressed a kiss

to her cheek. It was awkward and hard to watch, but Corinna took it in stride.

“May I she turned to the priest, full of determination as she gestured to the podium. He nodded, a bit

confused but willing as he turned to the podium over to her.

Corinna stepped behind it, taking a deep breath before she glanced at me.

I smiled, trying to give her what little encouragement I could. Hesitantly, she smiled back.

It was a start.

“As many of you know, Ashton and I have done many things that have hurt a lot of the people here. Our

family and friends

took a great loss due to our selfish actions,” Corinna said into the microphone, worriedly gazing out at

the dozens of people who had attended her wedding.

“I just want to say that I’m sorry.” Corinna bowed her head. “I have no excuse for the way I’ve been

behaving or the things that I did, and I know I can’t take it back. I can’t erase the hurt I’ve caused.

Earlier today, my mother officially left the family.

Left me.”

Corinna’s voice broke, her fingers gripping the podium tightly as she raised her head. There were no

tears, only acceptance, and guilt.

“I know now how hurtful it can be when a family member puts their interests ahead of everyone else. I

tried to act like the rules didn’t apply to me. Like I was above everyone else and that was just to cover

my insecurities. It wasn’t fair to those around me, and I know that now.

“That’s why I want to apologize, and I want to start with the people I hurt the most,” Corinna smiled

sadly as she glanced at me. “Adelaide and Damon.

Damon’s hand tightened around mine, but my attention was on Corinna.

“Due to my selfish actions, you lost out on having a real wedding,” Corinna smiled. “That’s why I want

to offer you the chance to stand up here and redo your vows here. In front of the family. If you want.”

A smile curled my lips as I turned to Damon in excitement. He raised an eyebrow, looking rather

weirded out.

“Can we?” I asked, giving him my best puppy-dog eyes. “Please?”

“Put the eyes away.” Damon rolled his eyes. “I can never deny you anything anyway.”

I giggled, pressing a kiss to his cheek as I pulled us both out of our seats and to the podium. Corinna

smiled and stepped aside as we approached. She pulled Ashton away from us which I was glad for.

We took center stage, and I could see the shocked and bewildered faces of our family and friends

around us.

All except one.

Grandma smiled from her seat, not surprised in the slightest as she beamed with pride. She knew

everything, after all.

“Adelaide,”

Damon grasped my hand, pulling me to face him, and I smiled brightly back at him as he traced the

rings on my finger.

“I knew from the moment I met you that you were the only woman I would ever want to be with.”

Damon said, proudly, and boldly. He gazed into my eyes, and it was just the two of us. I am the luckiest

person alive to be able to call myself your husband. I love you, Adelaide, and I will show you every day

how much you mean to me.”

I brushed my hand across his cheek, a balloon of happiness expanding in my chest until I felt like I

could explode into a parade of confetti.

“Damon Steyn,” I grinned. “from the moment you threw ice cream in my face in kindergarten, you had

my attention. Whether good or bad. There was never a moment you were not in my life and on my

mind. You are creative and amazing and the most wonderful husband I could have ever dreamed of. I

love you more and more each day that we are together and will do so until forever ends.”

Damon smirked, taking my hand in his as he pressed a kiss to my palm. Like two magnets, we were

always destined to find one another, to be drawn to the other. From the fateful day, we met to here in

his arms right now, this was the path I had

chosen.

As the crowd burst into applause, I threw myself into Damon’s arms, our lips connecting in a feverish

passion.

I’d finally found where I belonged.

Chayne (t