Chapter 293 — The Moment She Saw Him

Chapter 293 — The Moment She Saw Him
Seven months later.

“Are you ready?”

Elena’s voice was bright with excitement, almost glowing with joy as she stood beside Clara. The happiness in her eyes was impossible to hide. It felt like she had been waiting for this moment just as eagerly as the bride herself.

After everything Clara and Matteo had endured together—the lies, the misunderstandings, the pain, and the separation—this day felt like a miracle.

Elena’s heart overflowed with happiness.

Matteo was finally marrying the woman he loved.

And the most beautiful part of it was that Clara loved him even more deeply in return.

Clara looked at her best friend and smiled.

The smile came naturally, but inside her chest, a thousand different emotions stirred. Excitement fluttered through her heart, but nervousness followed closely behind.

Still, Elena’s infectious energy slowly eased her worries.

Clara turned toward the mirror.

And for a long moment, she simply stared.

The woman reflected there looked unfamiliar.

A bride stood before her, dressed in a stunning white gown that seemed to flow like soft clouds around her feet. The fabric shimmered gently beneath the soft lights of the room, and the delicate lace of her veil framed her face beautifully.

Clara blinked slowly.

Was that really her?

For years she had struggled, cried, and fought through the darkest parts of her life.

Yet now, the woman in the mirror looked radiant.

Her eyes sparkled with life.

Her smile carried warmth and hope.

She looked like someone who had finally found happiness.

For a moment, Clara almost couldn’t believe it.

Was she truly looking at the happiest version of herself?

Yes.

She was.

Today was her wedding day.

And this time, she was marrying the man who loved her completely—without doubt, without hesitation, and without conditions.

Her mind drifted back to the moment everything had changed.

The day Matteo proposed to her.

Even now, remembering it made a soft laugh escape her lips.

It had been the most unexpected proposal she could have imagined.

And perhaps the most dramatic.

So dramatic that it had felt like a scene straight out of one of Matteo’s romantic films.

She had just given birth to their son.

Her entire body had been exhausted, and yet her heart had been overflowing with happiness as she held their newborn baby.

She had barely been able to sit up when Matteo suddenly dropped to one knee right there in the hospital room.

A diamond ring sparkled brightly in his hand.

He had proposed in the labor room.

Clara remembered staring at him in complete disbelief.

She had laughed.

She had cried.

And she had wondered how on earth the hospital staff had allowed such a ridiculous and romantic scene to happen.

But then again…

Matteo had always found ways to make the impossible happen.

He was a superstar.

And superstars rarely heard the word “no.”

Moments after his dramatic proposal, the hospital room door had burst open.

Friends.

Family.

Everyone rushed inside carrying balloons, flowers, and gifts.

Someone even started singing a cheesy love song.

The entire moment had felt like the grand finale of a romantic movie.

Which made perfect sense.

After all…

This was Matteo De Luca.

Of course, Clara had not made it easy for him.

She didn’t say yes immediately.

Instead, she let him suffer for a little while.

She watched him beg with those desperate puppy-dog eyes that always melted her heart.

But in the end, how could she possibly refuse?

She had said yes.

Laughing through her tears.

Holding their newborn son in her arms.

And Matteo had looked happier than she had ever seen him before.

Now, standing here in her wedding gown, Clara let out a quiet giggle.

Life with Matteo would never be boring.

He was an incredible actor.

A hopeless romantic.

And a man who loved dramatic gestures more than anything.

Being with him meant life would always feel a little like a movie.

And Clara couldn’t wait for the adventure that lay ahead.

She was ready to spend forever with him.

Elena gently guided Clara toward the entrance of the wedding hall.

But suddenly Elena stopped.

Clara followed her gaze.

Someone stood near the entrance.

Morgan.

Clara blinked in surprise.

“What are you doing here?” she asked softly.

Shouldn’t he already be inside with the rest of the family?

Morgan smiled warmly.

“I’m here to walk you down the aisle,” he replied simply.

Clara felt her chest tighten.

Emotion rushed through her heart like a wave.

After the truth about Dylan had finally been revealed and every misunderstanding cleared, Matteo’s family had welcomed Clara with open arms.

They wanted her to know she truly belonged with them.

They knew she had no family standing beside her.

So Morgan had stepped forward.

Without hesitation.

He had offered to walk her down the aisle himself.

It was a simple gesture.

But it meant more to Clara than words could express.

Morgan treated her like a sister.

And Clara would always be grateful for that kindness.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Her voice trembled slightly as tears gathered in her eyes.

Morgan chuckled softly.

“Hey, none of that,” he teased gently.

“You’ll ruin your makeup.”

Clara laughed quietly and wiped the corners of her eyes.

Morgan pulled her into a quick side hug, the kind of comforting gesture only a protective brother could give.

Clara took a deep breath.

Her eyes drifted across the wedding hall.

Everything looked exactly as she had imagined.

She had planned every detail herself.

Matteo had insisted that the entire wedding should be designed exactly how she wanted.

White orchids decorated the hall.

They lined the walls and surrounded the altar with elegant beauty.

Their soft fragrance filled the room, creating a peaceful and romantic atmosphere.

A deep red carpet stretched down the center aisle.

It led directly toward the altar.

Toward Matteo.

Even the wedding cake and the menu had been chosen by Clara.

She had carefully planned everything.

She wanted this day to be perfect.

And yet…

Despite the beauty surrounding her, a small knot of nervousness twisted in her stomach.

Life had never been easy for Clara.

Too many things had gone wrong in the past.

She quietly prayed that today would be different.

That this time…

Everything would go right.

This was the second time she and Matteo were getting married.

But everything about this wedding felt completely different from the first.

The first time, the atmosphere had been cold.

Distant.

Filled with misunderstandings.

But today…

Today she was surrounded by people who truly cared about her.

People who loved her.

And she loved her groom with all her heart.

That made all the difference.

This time, Matteo was waiting eagerly at the end of the aisle.

He wasn’t impatient.

He wasn’t cold.

He wasn’t distant.

Clara could already imagine his face.

His bright smile.

His eyes filled with love.

He would be watching only her.

Waiting only for her.

Elena noticed Clara’s nervousness and stepped closer.

Her voice softened.

“Everything is going to be perfect,” Elena said gently.

“Okay?”

Clara nodded slowly.

Her lips curved into a grateful smile.

Elena carefully placed the bouquet into Clara’s hands and adjusted the veil that rested softly over her hair.

“You’ve got this,” Elena said warmly.

Then she stepped aside.

Morgan moved beside Clara and offered his arm.

“Shall we?” he asked with a gentle smile.

Clara nodded.

She slipped her arm through his.

The nervousness inside her slowly faded.

Then the grand doors opened.

Music filled the hall.

Clara’s heart began to race.

It’s happening.

A famous band from Los Angeles played beautiful music that filled the room with a magical atmosphere.

Morgan began walking slowly down the aisle.

Clara followed beside him.

Her steps were careful, but excitement filled every movement.

As she walked forward, she glanced around the hall.

Familiar faces surrounded her.

To her left stood Camila and Matthew.

In their arms were their three-month-old triplets.

Two little boys.

And one tiny girl.

Each baby was dressed beautifully for the special occasion.

A few steps ahead, Dario held his seven-month-old daughter while their six-year-old twins, Lila and Leo, stood proudly nearby.

The children watched Clara with wide smiles.

Near the stage, Clara’s mother-in-law cradled her three-month-old grandson.

When their eyes met, the older woman waved cheerfully.

Then she looked down at the baby and smiled.

“Look at your mommy,” she whispered lovingly.

“Doesn’t she look beautiful?”

Clara’s heart filled with warmth.

Her earlier fears disappeared.

With every step forward, happiness wrapped around her like a warm embrace.

Love surrounded her from every direction.

And then—

Before she noticed anything else in the room—

Clara saw him.