Chapter 256 256

Chapter 256 256

Maya

Five months later, we were finally back in New York.

And it was my wedding day. Again.

This time, there were no nerves, no uncertainty curling in my stomach like a pit. Just anticipation. Joy. An effervescent sort of happiness that bubbled right beneath my skin, making it hard to sit still as the makeup artist added the final touches to my look.

A soft knock sounded at the door before it creaked open.

Sophia stepped inside, radiant in a sleek lavender gown, followed closely by Evan's wife, both of them holding one twin each.

"Look who came to see their mama," Sophia cooed as she swept into the room like a queen in a fairytale. She held Kayley up so the baby could see me.

Kayley let out a squeal of delight as soon as she saw me, her tiny fists flailing as she tried to physically launch herself at me. Kelsey just gave me her usual curious stare, busy sucking on her binky.

I reached for them instantly. "Hi, my angels," I murmured, kissing their soft cheeks. They smelled like baby lotion and sunshine. "You look so cute, my little princesses."

They were dressed in identical pink dresses and white bows, all thanks to Sophia, who had somehow made it her life's mission to spoil my girls with everything money could buy. In the three weeks we'd been back, she'd dropped by every day armed to the teeth with shopping bags filled with baby clothes and toys.

"They were getting fussy," Evan's wife explained with a smile, "but Sophia insisted she could calm them down. She's got the magic touch."

"Of course I do," Sophia said, looking smug as she took Kayley back from my arms and balanced her expertly on her hip. "I've raised three rascally little boys, believe me when I say these girls are little angels."

I laughed softly, heart full.

The room was a flurry of soft music, gentle chatter, and the low hum of excitement. Everything felt light. Warm. Exactly as it should.

And then, just for a moment, my mind flickered back to the first time I'd worn white for Elias.

I'd felt alone. Unsure. Caught in a whirlwind I hadn't been ready for. That day had been beautiful, yes, but it had been tinted with shadows. The weight of secrets, of guilt, of unspoken truths.

But this time?

This time, I felt cherished. Secure. Loved, completely and without hesitation.

A soft tap on my shoulder brought me back to the present.

"Time to get dressed," Nat teased, a twinkle in her eyes as she stepped forward with my gown.

I stood, carefully handed Kelsey back to her grandmother and stepped into the dress I'd carefully chosen weeks ago.

It was simple. Elegant. White silk that skimmed my body and flowed effortlessly to the floor. A sweetheart neckline framed my collarbones, and delicate embroidery danced along the hem. I hadn't wanted anything loud or extravagant, just something that felt like me.

Nat zipped me up, then took a step back, hands pressed to her chest. "You look stunning. Like, actually, jaw-droppingly stunning."

"Thank you," I whispered, turning slowly in front of the mirror. Everyone in the room filled the air with compliments and I felt like a princess.

Sophia stepped closer then, her eyes glistening. She placed both hands gently on my cheeks, her touch warm and reverent. "Thank you," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. "For loving Elias. For giving him what he's always wanted since he was little, someone who truly sees him. I'm happy to see you alive and well, Maya."

I blinked quickly, trying not to ruin my makeup. "Thank you, Sophia."

Then she added with a roll of her eyes, "And ignore Sarah. Old woman's just salty you came back from the dead and snatched the Ashtree chairmanship right out from under her Botoxed nose."

I laughed. "I'll try."

With a final kiss to my cheek, she swept out, leaving the room quiet once more.

"Ready?" Nat looked at me, a wide smile on her face.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's get this show on the road."

The ceremony was held in the garden of our new house, an elegant, sprawling home tucked into a private cul-de-sac, far from the prying eyes of the world. We'd only invited close friends and family so we didn't have many guests. The media was still in a frenzy over my so-called resurrection. Conspiracies, think-pieces, hashtags, were all swirling around on social media and the frenzy was yet to die down.

So, for the wedding, Elias had locked the entire estate down like Fort Knox. Every guest was personally vetted before being allowed in. Recording the event on phone or otherwise was strictly prohibited.

Nat flung open the door leading to the garden and Dex, who'd been standing guard, turned around to look. He took one look at Nat in a sleek black dress with a plunging neckline and cinched waist and forgot how to speak, jaw slack, eyes nearly falling out of their sockets.

"Holy fuck!" We heard him mutter as we passed and he got a good look at the back of the dress. Nat smirked, which made me laugh.

"You're evil," I whispered to her and she grinned, like I'd just paid her a compliment.

But the second I stepped into view of the wedding arch ahead and the music began, everything else faded away.

Elias stood at the end of the aisle.

Looking at me.

And that look, raw, open, adoring, stole the breath right from my lungs.

My feet carried me forward, one step at a time, my gaze locked on his. Every beat of my heart pulsed with love so full, so true, I felt like I might float right off the ground. And the way he looked back at me, like he still couldn't believe I was real, it undid me.

Our vows were simple and full of emotion.

"I promise to choose you," I whispered, voice catching, "every day. In chaos and calm. In shadow and sunlight. I choose you."

His hand trembled in mine as he said, "I vow to protect you, to honor you, and to love you until the end of my days, and beyond."

When we kissed, the world stopped. Again.



Later, at the small but elegant reception under the garden canopy, Kellan joined us at our table, drink in hand, brow raised.

"I'm still pissed at both of you," he said, not unkindly. "I can't believe I had to find out Maya was alive from a freaking post on social media. What kind of friends are you?"

"I already apologized," Elias said, sounding unrepentant and Kellan glared at him.

"Some fucking best friend you are. Your wife told her best friend while you chose to keep me in the dark. I should totally find new friends."

"Well, technically, I didn't exactly tell Nat, she kinda found out and came to save me," I pointed out and he sighed.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Whatever. You still owe me. And one day," he narrowed his eyes dramatically, "I'm cashing in."

I rolled my eyes, but grinned. "Noted."

But as he turned to get another drink, I noticed the way his gaze lingered.

On Nat. Who had wandered over to the table where Sophia and the twins were and was laughing at something.

Not just a passing glance. Oh no, this was a watching-her-like-she-hung-the-moon look.

I nudged Elias. "Hey, I think Kellan's still into Nat."

"He is."

I widened my eyes at him. "What?"

He shrugged, sipping his wine. "He never stopped liking her, but he's just too much of an idiot to do anything about it. Kellan's emotional capacity is like a broken vending machine. The feelings are there, but they're stuck behind the glass."

I snorted. "Too bad. Nat's got her eye on Dex now."

That got a reaction.

Elias looked up, clearly caught off guard. "Wait. Dex? As in Dex, the security detail who cracks the corniest jokes, Dex?"

"Yup. Your best man's got competition."

"Huh." He shook his head in disbelief.

Then it was time for our not-exactly-first-dance dance and I promptly forgot about everything else as Elias led me to the middle of the floor and drew me into his arms.

"Can't wait to get you alone," he whispered, voice low and teasing. "I have a list of things I plan to do to you." Then while everyone watched, he proceeded to whisper in my ear and tell me in exact, explicit detail, everything he planned to do.

I flushed sca
rlet. Aroused and mortified at the same time.

And he looked far too pleased with himself.

"Smug much?" I teased.

"Always."

THE END