Chapter 8 – THE HAPPY ENDING
Six months later, the garden was in full bloom.
Ninety guests were seated on white wooden chairs on the expansive lawn. But these weren’t the cold, snobby elites from Vanessa’s party.
These were the people who mattered.
George was sitting in the front row, wearing a sharp new suit. The remaining estate staff were all there, smiling and laughing.
At the altar stood Matteo, looking breathtaking in a black tuxedo.
And standing right beside him, holding a small velvet pillow, was Leo. The boy looked healthy, happy, and confident. He had put on weight, his cheeks were rosy, and his eyes sparkled with joy.
I walked down the aisle to the sound of a string quartet.
I wasn’t wearing an apron. I wore a flowing white lace gown, holding a bouquet of white roses.
As I reached the altar, Matteo took my hand. His eyes were shining with tears.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I smiled.
The priest began the ceremony. It was short, sweet, and perfect.
When it came time for the rings, Leo stepped forward proudly. But before he could hand them over, a loud bark interrupted the silence.
From the side of the garden, Bruno trotted forward. He had a white bow tie attached to his collar, and he looked happier than he had in years.
He walked right up to the altar and sat directly on my foot.
The guests laughed. Matteo smiled and reached down to pet the old dog’s head.
“Good boy, Bruno,” Matteo whispered.
We exchanged our rings.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest declared. “You may kiss the bride.”
Matteo pulled me into his arms and kissed me. The garden erupted in cheers.
As we walked back down the aisle together, Leo grabbed my hand on one side, and Matteo held the other. Bruno trotted happily alongside us.
I looked down at the little boy who had brought me here, the dog who had started it all, and the man who loved me enough to fight the world for us.
Vanessa had called me a stupid little maid.
But she was wrong.
I was exactly where I was meant to be. And for the first time in my life, I was finally home.
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