Chapter 121 Chapter 121
“It’s over,” he murmured.
I nodded, though tears blurred my vision anyway.
Two weeks later, the house buzzed with quiet excitement downstairs, voices drifting up, and laughter echoing softly through the hallway. Everything felt surreal.
The investigation wrapped up quickly. Daniel confessed to everything, spiraling into an obsession so deep it barely surprised anyone once the truth came out. Restraining orders. Charges. Transfer to psychiatric evaluation. The nightmare ended cleaner than I expected, though the emotional bruises still lingered faintly under my skin. Behind me, the bedroom door creaked open.
The air in the house felt electric, like it was charged with mischief and nerves. The bachelorette party wasn’t supposed to be a big deal. Just a few close friends, some drinks, a little music, and me not tripping over my own nerves before the wedding. But of course, nothing in my life ever stayed simple.
Shea was bouncing around, clearly excited, her energy infectious. “Tessa, don’t be such a grump! You’re getting married in less than a week!” she chirped, plopping onto the couch beside me. She tossed a tiny sequined headband at me. “Wear this. It’s tradition.”
I caught it, rolling my eyes. “Tradition or torture?”
“You’ll look adorable. And tonight isn’t about work or men,” she said, glancing around like she was counting threats in the room.
I laughed a little too loudly, feeling my pulse thrum nervously. “Yeah, sure, no danger at all tonight. Just cocktails and giggles. Totally safe.”
She nudged me. “You’re nervous. Admit it.”
“I’m… I’m excited too,” I admitted, tugging the headband into place. It felt ridiculous, but somehow the glitter settled me a little.
By eight, the group was assembled. Zaiel’s cousins, a couple of colleagues who had somehow gotten invites, and the photographer hired by Zaiel to discreetly capture the night. Zaiel hadn’t shown up yet, and honestly, that was probably for the best. I had a feeling if he were there, everyone else would vanish in terror.
The drinks started flowing quickly. Champagne, cocktails, and something fruity that made my tongue tingle. The music was loud, the kind that makes your chest vibrate. And at first, it was fun. Genuine fun. I laughed more in one hour than I had in the past two weeks.
But then came the games.
“Oh, we’re doing ‘Truth or Dare,’” Daliah announced, eyes sparkling like a little storm.
I groaned. “I don’t…”
“Don’t be a baby,” Michelle interrupted, grabbing my hand. “Come on, it’s a tradition. Bride’s choice goes first.”
I sighed, thinking of the last time I’d been forced into a game like this. Last time involved a lot of vodka, a blindfold, and some very questionable choices. But this time? I was stronger. I was married to be stronger.
“Fine,” I said, sitting up straighter. “Truth.”
Damon grinned wickedly. “Who here do you think is the worst kisser in the room?”
My mind immediately shot to Zaiel, not because he was bad, but because the answer would be obvious and disastrous if I spoke it out loud. I opened my mouth. Closed it. Took a sip of my drink. “No comment,” I said finally, and everyone laughed. Safe.
Next came the dares. A few harmless ones were singing into a hairbrush and dancing on the table, but Daliah’s eyes glinted with that mix of cruelty and love that only she possessed.
“Tessa,” she said, “your dare. Call someone and confess something embarrassing.”
I froze. My brain was already spinning. Who would I call? Zaiel? That would be insane. He’d kill her. Literally.
Instead, I grabbed my phone, pretending to scroll. “Fine. I’ll call… my dad,” I said, and everyone gasped. “It’s harmless.”
“Go!” Kevin urged.
I dialed, heart racing. Dad picked up immediately, probably confused by the sudden ring at ten at night.
“Dad! Uh… I… I ate all the ice cream while you were gone,” I said, my voice squeaky with exaggerated guilt.
He laughed, probably thinking I was joking. “You… what?”
I held the phone away from my mouth so everyone could hear. “I ate all the ice cream, Dad. And yes, I’m sorry. Very, very sorry.”
There was a pause. Then he laughed even harder. “Tessa, you little devil. I should have known. Enjoy your party; just don’t destroy your house.”
I hung up, laughing so hard I almost fell off the couch. The group cheered. The ice was broken, and the games continued.
The night blurred into a mix of dares, silly dances, and laughter that hurt my cheeks from smiling so hard. At some point, Shea dragged me outside onto the balcony for a “fresh air break,” though the cool night barely touched my cheeks beneath the swirl of excitement and wine.
“That was fun,” I admitted, trying to breathe in the crisp air. “I haven’t laughed like that in weeks.”
She grinned. “You needed this.”
The morning sun spilled through the tall windows of the house, cutting golden stripes across the polished floors. I woke to the quiet hum of Zaiel moving in the other room, a constant presence even now, hours before the world would see us say "I do" to each other. My heart was a tangle of nerves, anticipation, and the odd, electric thrill that only came when you knew everything was finally going to be right.
Today was our wedding day. Not the rehearsals, not the pretense, not the promises whispered behind closed doors, this was the day the world would see us. And for the first time in forever, I wasn’t running. I wasn’t hiding. I was standing still, ready, safe, and wholly his.
I pulled back the blankets and padded across the cool wood to the window, letting my gaze sweep across the estate. The house we had bought together, our sanctuary, gleamed in the early light. Zaiel had insisted on handling the security detail personally, ensuring that nothing, not one shadow, not one lingering stranger, would touch me today. I felt the weight of that protection and the thrill of it all at once.
The wedding venue was an old, restored cathedral nestled on the outskirts of the city, its high vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows making the place look almost ethereal. Outside, sprawling gardens stretched like a painter’s masterpiece, fountains catching the sunlight and scattering diamonds across the perfectly manicured lawns. It was massive but intimate, grand yet personal. Just like Zaiel.
I turned as the door opened behind me, and there he was, standing in the hallway, dressed in black, immaculately tailored, and impossibly dangerous. His gaze found me instantly, dark and intense, as if he could see every thought, every fear, every heartbeat.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, voice low and gravelly. “Like you were made for this day. Like… this day was made for you.”
I swallowed hard, cheeks warming, and looked down. He rarely complimented me like this and rarely showed the softness that now seemed to hover between us. But there it was, full, raw, and undeniable.
“I’m nervous,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.
“You don’t need to be,” he said, stepping closer. “You have me. You’ve always had me. Today, tomorrow… every day. You’re safe. You’re mine.”