Christy’s POV
I sat by the window of Kendrick’s new penthouse, the morning sun streaming through the glass and warming my skin.
While in Curtis’ hands, I always hoped that I would see the sun again but as ti went on, I began losing hope. But at this mont it felt like a blessing.
I looked down at my left hand, watching the sunlight dance off the massive diamond perched on my finger. It was heavy, a constant weight that reminded I wasn’t dreaming.
It has been three weeks since I was rescued at the river bank. My physical wounds had healed but the ntal ones took longer. Sotis, if I closed my eyes too fast, I still saw Curtis’s blank stare. Sotis, I still heard Piper’s scream.
But then, I would feel a warm hand on my shoulder or hear a familiar, deep voice calling my na, and the shadows would retreat.
A soft knock at the door pulled from my thoughts. I didn’t even have to turn around to know who it was, as my heart did that familiar little skip, the one it only ever did for him.
"You’re staring at it again," Kendrick said, his voice a low rumble as he stepped into the room.
I turned and smiled as he walked toward , looking every bit the powerful CEO in his charcoal suit. But the mont he reached , that cold professional mask lted. He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to my forehead.
"It’s a very nice ring, Mr. Black," I teased, my voice finally steady and clear. "I have to make sure it hasn’t disappeared."
"It’s never disappearing," he promised, his eyes darkening with a possessiveness that used to scare , but now only made feel cherished. "And neither are you."
He sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, pulling into his lap. I leaned my head against his shoulder, breathing in his scent.
"I have news from the court," he said quietly.
I stiffened slightly, as this was the last piece of the puzzle. The final cleanup of the ss the Black family had beco.
"Saen?" I whispered.
"Life imprisonnt," Kendrick said, his jaw tightening. " With no parole...The evidence of the murders, the embezzlent, and her involvent in Raymond’s death... it was too much for even her lawyers to fight. She’ll never step foot outside a cell again."
I let out a breath I felt like I’d been holding for a month. Saen Black deserves every bit of what she is getting, as she was such a terrible mother and misled her own son until he beca a monster.
"And Zain?"
Kendrick hesitated for a second. "Fifteen years, because he wasn’t directly involved in the murders, and eventually surrendered, the judge showed a small amount of rcy."
I nodded and I didn’t feel anything for him. No pity at all, he deserved what he got and ruined his family because of his and his father’s greed.
But Zain had made his choices. He had stood by while Curtis terrorized , he even tried to kill a couple of tis, Fifteen years was a long ti to think about those choices.
"It’s really over, isn’t it?" I asked, looking into Kendrick’s eyes.
"It’s over, Christy. The lies, the revenge... it’s all buried." He lifted my hand, kissing the palm. "Now, there’s only us. And a very big party tomorrow that my mother-in-law is currently losing her mind over."
I laughed, the sound bright and real. "My mother has been planning this wedding since the second we got back. I think she’s personally inspected every single flower in the city."
"Let her," Kendrick smiled. "She deserves to celebrate...We all do."
He touched my stomach softly and smiled. I can’t wait to be his wife and the mother of his child.
The day of the wedding arrived like a scene out of a fairy tale.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bridal suite, staring at the woman looking back at . The dress was a masterpiece, white silk that hugged my curves and flowed out into a train that seed to go on forever.
My hair was swept up, pinned with delicate pearls, and my veil trailed behind like a cloud.
The gown was a perfect fit as my stomach was still not big yet..
"Oh, my sweet girl..." My mother stood in the doorway, her eyes welling with tears. She rushed over, taking my hands in hers. "You look breathtaking...Simply breathtaking."
"Thanks to you, Mom," I said, hugging her tightly. "Everything is perfect."
Kelvin stepped in behind her, looking uncharacteristically sharp in a black tuxedo. He cleared his throat, trying to look tough, but I could see his eyes shimring.
"Don’t start crying, Kel," I warned with a watery smile. "You’ll ruin the photos."
"I’m not crying, it’s the flowers," he lied, stepping forward to offer his arm.
"Ready to give that CEO the shock of his
life? He’s been pacing at the altar for twenty minutes. I think he’s afraid you’ve changed your mind."
"Never," I said firmly.
As the heavy oak doors of the cathedral opened, the music swelled, filling the massive space with a beautiful, soaring lody. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The church was packed. All of Country N’s elite were there, but I didn’t see them. I only saw the man standing at the end of the long, white aisle.
Kendrick stood on his side of the altar. The only person on his side was surprisingly Raina and Gary. Then I looked at the front pews, I saw my mother, Kelvin, and Mason all leaning forward, their faces full of love.
They weren’t just my family anymore. They were his. They were the Lancasters, and they had claid him as their own.
Kendrick’s breath hitched as he saw . For a man who was always in control, he looked completely undone. His eyes were fixed on mine, full of a raw, intense emotion that made my heart swell.
When my father placed my hand in Kendrick’s, I felt a spark of electricity as his grip was firm and warm.
The ceremony was a blur of beautiful words and promises. I didn’t hear much of the priest’s sermon as I was too busy reading the promises in Kendrick’s eyes. When it was ti for the vows, he didn’t read from a paper...He spoke from his soul.
"Christy," he started, his voice thick with emotion. "I started this journey with a contract and a cold heart. I thought I knew what I wanted and I thought power was the only thing that mattered. But you showed that power is nothing if you have no one to share it with. You are my light, my strength, and my ho. I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never feel a second of fear again."
I couldn’t help it. The tears fell freely then. "Kendrick... I was lost until you found . Not just in that small town but also in that riverbank. You gave a reason to fight and a future. I love you more than words can say."
"I pronounce you husband and wife," the priest said. "You may kiss your bride."
Kendrick didn’t wait, he pulled in, his lips eting mine in a kiss that tasted like victory and peace. The guests erupted into applause, the sound echoing off the high stone ceilings, but to , it was quiet.. It was just us.
The reception was a whirlwind of dancing, champagne, and laughter. We sat at the head table, watching our loved ones celebrate. Kelvin was already on his third glass of champagne, laughing with Mason, while my mother was busy being the perfect hostess.
Kendrick leaned in close to , his arm draped over the back of my chair. He looked at the grand ballroom, then back at , a small, knowing smirk on his lips.
"You know," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "This is a long way from where we started."
I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "It really is. No more sches? No more hidden agendas?"
"None," he promised. "But I was thinking... about the paperwork."
I pulled back, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "The paperwork? Kendrick Black, if you ntion a contract on our wedding night..."
He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "I was just thinking that this was supposed to be a 90-day contract. We’re well past the deadline, Christy and the term is up."
I laughed and looped my arms around his neck, looking into the eyes of the man who had beco my entire world.
"The contract is void, Kendrick," I whispered, my smile growing wide. "Forever is the deal now."
He didn’t say anything else, he just pulled into another kiss as the music played on, a final seal on a story that was no longer about revenge, but about a love that had survived the dark and stepped into the light.
THE END
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