The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. I was completely caught off guard. My mouth fell open slightly as I looked around, searching for soone to confirm what I’d just heard.
"Go on, sweetie," Mary said, giving a gentle nudge. "You deserve this mont. I’ll go find Gwen and make sure she behaves herself."
Still in shock, I found myself walking toward Richard. My heart raced, not from nerves but from sheer surprise. As I reached him, I whispered, "What’s going on? Why didn’t anyone tell about this?"
He smiled, taking both of my hands in his. "Because I wanted to surprise you. This ti, I’m marrying you properly."
Tears welled up in my eyes as he dropped to one knee. The room fell silent, all eyes on us. He pulled out a ring, a sparkling diamond.
"Benita Williams," he said, looking up at . "Will you marry all over again?"
The room erupted into applause and a few whistles. My hands flew to my mouth as I blinked back tears. "Oh, sweetie..." I whispered.
"Well?" he said, feigning impatience. "I an, if you want both knees..."
I laughed through my tears and nodded emphatically. "Yes! Yes, Richard, I’ll marry you all over again."
He took off the previous engagent ring, the one he had given shabbily; the wedding ring followed, then he slid the new ring onto my finger before the wedding ring. He stood, pulling into his arms as the room filled with the sound of applause and cara flashes. He kissed gently, his hands resting protectively on my back.
As the cheers continued, Richard leaned down and whispered in my ear, "You’re my forever, Benita."
"And you’re mine," I whispered back.
*****
We stepped up to the platform, hand in hand. My parents were there, beaming with pride and near tears. Business partners, the board of directors, friends, and acquaintances were all excited.
My heart swelled with a mix of emotions as I turned to face Richard, the man who had changed my life in ways I never thought possible.
He smiled that boyish grin he always had for and alone. When he held my gaze, it felt like it was just the two of us standing there. Mr. Nuro urged us to begin.
Taking a deep breath, I started. "Richard, you were once a pain in my ass, but as we grew closer, you broke down my defenses. You helped bloom into a woman and loved like no one would believe—Richard Junior Nuro, in love with Nerdy Benny; who would have thought? I love you so much, and I will for the rest of my life."
"I loved you from the first mont I saw you, and the mont we figured things out, you beca the air that I breathe. I don’t want to wake up at any point in my life without you by my side. I love you with every breath I take. I promise to love you forever."
His words wrapped around my soul like a warm blanket. My throat tightened, and I fought back the urge to cry. I was doing that a lot these days, pregnancy hormones and shit, or maybe that was just my excuse.
I leaned in as he cupped my face in his hands, and we sealed our vows with a passionate kiss.
As we turned to face the crowd, applause erupted. Richard squeezed my hand as we stepped off the platform, making way for the real event everyone was there for.
"You look amazing," Richard whispered in my ear.
I smiled, leaning in to kiss him once more. "You’re not so bad yourself," I teased.
My phone vibrated in my purse; I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. A text from my mother-in-law, Abby, popped up:
Quick! Co to your hotel room. I have a wardrobe ergency.
I sighed, "I’ll be right back. Your mom needs ," I said.
"Now?" Richard asked.
I shrugged. "Give ten minutes and pray to high heavens I don’t have to take her shopping now."
He laughed softly, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. "Good luck."
I made my way back into the hotel; Martin fell into step with , but I waved him off, telling him it’s just my mother-in-law that needs . He hesitated but let go on my own anyway. I took the elevator up to our suite.
When I reached the room, I opened and shut the door. "Mum, I’m here!"
But Abby wasn’t there.
Instead, Damon sat in the chair by the window. His face was shadowed, but the cold glint of the gun in his hand was unmistakable. It was pointed directly at .
*****
"Hello, Mrs. Nuro," he said. He leaned back in the chair, like he’d been waiting for this mont.
My heart pounded in my chest as I instinctively stepped back, my hand fumbling for the door handle behind .
"Ah, ah," Damon said. "You move, I shoot."
"What do you want, Damon?" I asked. My mind racing.
He smiled. "My plan and my nephew’s align; I want you, he wants your husband to sign over his rights to the company."
My chest tightened as I realized the gravity of the situation. I was going to be their bargaining chip.
"Richard will never give you what you want." I said. "Do you have any idea how much that company ans to him? It’s his father’s legacy!"
"You underestimated his love for you, my dear. He loves you just as much as I loved Rachel."
I snickered. "You didn’t love Rachel. You and your sister wanted to use her."
"Actually, it started off that way, but Rachel... Well, the point is when your husband signs over the company, I will kill you."
"You are crazy. I an, that’s the only explanation for you. Sam is bitter and jealous; I get that. But you? What drives you? Why target ? I didn’t do anything to you."
"No one can replace my Rachel." He growled.
The room felt smaller; my eyes flickered between Damon’s face and the gun. The gun glead in the dim light as Damon stood, walking towards . He smiled nacingly and hit with the butt of the gun. Everything went blank.
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