Chapter 233 Sneak Peak 2#

Chapter 233 Sneak Peak 2#
Sneak Peak 2# - Violet

Three Months Later - Our One-Year Anniversary

I couldn’t take my eyes off everything.

Not Rowan.

Not yet.

Just everything around me.

The ballroom looked like a dream, no, a fantasy, crafted by Rowan Ashcroft’s wildest imagination.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the soaring vaulted ceilings, casting a warm golden glow that danced across the enormous reception hall. Ivory drapes flowed elegantly from the beams above, and thousands of tiny fairy lights twinkled between them like stars trapped indoors.

Purple roses.

White roses.

Lavender.

Wisteria.

Fresh greenery.

The floral arrangements alone must have cost more than my first car. Probably more than my apartment. Actually... definitely more than my apartment.

Round tables filled the room, each draped in ivory linens and adorned with crystal centerpieces surrounded by floating candles and delicate purple blooms. Every chair was cloaked in ivory covers tied with lavender satin ribbons.

The dance floor gleamed under the lights.

A soft melody floated from the band already playing.

Food stations lined one wall.

And there was an entire room dedicated solely to desserts.

Apparently, Rowan had heard me mention cupcakes once and decided the answer was to hire six pastry chefs.

The man was insane. Completely insane.

And I loved him for it.

A soft knock at the bridal suite door pulled me back.

“Come in,” I called.

The door opened, and Camille stepped inside, tears already streaming down her face.

“Oh no,” I pointed at her, “No.”

She wiped her eyes helplessly. “I can’t help it.”

“You’re crying.”

“You look beautiful.”

That only made her sob harder.

Motherhood hadn’t softened Camille’s emotions. If anything, it made her worse.

Lucille, or Lucy as some called her, balanced on Camille’s hip, blinking sleepily before reaching for one of the shiny decorations in my hair.

Theo appeared behind Camille a moment later. He looked exhausted, which honestly wasn’t surprising. Their daughter had inherited both his stubbornness and Camille’s fierce determination.

Still, they looked happy. Really happy. And that was what mattered most.

A few minutes later, another knock came.

Avery stepped inside.

Seeing her still felt strange sometimes, not bad, just strange.

The woman before me wasn’t the Avery I’d met years ago.

This Avery laughed easier. Smiled more. She no longer carried the weight of proving herself.

The rehabilitation center had become her world.

She smiled as she met my gaze. “You look gorgeous.”

I laughed. “You have to say that.”

“No,” she said softly. “I really don’t.”

Something warm settled in my chest.

We weren’t best friends. Probably never would be. Too much history. Too much pain.

But somehow, we’d found something else.

Something better. Trust. Respect. Friendship.

And that was enough.

The ceremony happened beneath a towering floral arch overlooking the waterfront.

Rows of ivory chairs stretched across the lawn, filled with guests.

Employees. Friends. Business associates. Construction crews that I've seen to grow attached to. People from the rehabilitation center. People whose lives Rowan had changed. People whose lives had touched ours.

The guest list was far bigger than either of us expected.

But then again... That always happened when Rowan got involved.

I stood at the aisle's start clutching my bouquet, purple roses, white roses, lavender, a touch of greenery. Perfect.

The music started.

My heart pounded.

Then I saw him. There. At the altar. Waiting for me. Only me.

The world melted away. The crowd disappeared. The flowers faded. Everything vanished.

Because Rowan was looking at me like I was the only thing that mattered.

The way he always did. The way he always would.

My chest tightened.

God.

I loved him.

I began to walk. Slowly. Deliberately. Toward the man who had become my entire world.

When I reached him, Rowan took my hands instantly, like he couldn’t wait another second.

His thumb brushed softly over my knuckles.

And just like that... The nerves vanished.

The officiant began to speak.

People cried. Camille cried enough for all of us.

Then, finally... It was time. Our vows.

The officiant smiled. “Mr. Ashcroft.”

Rowan’s eyes never left mine. Not once.

His smile was soft. Dangerous. Possessive.

Mine.

“When I met you...” His voice was calm, steady, certain. “I thought I knew exactly what my future looked like.”

The wind whispered through the flowers around us.

The crowd held their breath.

Rowan squeezed my hands. “I thought success was buildings.”

He paused.

“Companies.”

Another pause.

“Money.”

His smile faded slightly.

“And then you happened.”

Tears stung my eyes.

“You walked into my life and ruined every plan I ever had.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

His gaze never wavered. “And thank God you did.”

More tears.

Great.

Fantastic.

I was crying at my own wedding.

“I don’t promise forever because forever isn’t long enough.”

My breath caught.

“I don’t promise to love you until death because that isn’t enough either.”

The crowd fell silent.

Even the wind hushed.

Rowan stepped closer. “Instead, I promise that if there is another life after this one...” His voice dropped, darkened. “Then I’ll find you there too.”

My heart stopped. Completely.

“I will choose you in every lifetime.” He stepped closer still. “I will love you in every lifetime.” His hand lifted, resting gently against my cheek.
“And if fate is foolish enough to separate us...” A smile touched his lips, dangerous, obsessive, beautiful. “I’ll spend eternity hunting you down again.”

The crowd melted.

Camille sobbed openly. Theo handed her another tissue.

I laughed through my tears.

That sounded exactly like Rowan.

The officiant turned toward me. “Mrs. Ashcroft.”

I smiled. Then looked at my husband.

My soulmate.

My home.

And finally spoke.

“Before I met you, I spent most of my life surviving.”

The words came easier than I expected.

“Just surviving.”

A tear slipped free.

I ignored it.

“I thought happiness belonged to other people.”

I squeezed Rowan’s hands.

“People stronger than me.”

A pause.

“People luckier than me.”

His eyes softened.

“And then a very stubborn billionaire refused to leave me alone.”

Laughter erupted.

Even Rowan smiled.

I smiled back. “People think magic is impossible.” My gaze lifted briefly toward the sky, toward the sunset, toward the stars beginning to appear. “They’re wrong.”

The crowd grew quiet again.

“Magic isn’t found in spell books.”

A small smile.

“It isn’t found in rituals.”

Another.

“It isn’t found in tarot cards or candles.”

I looked back at Rowan.

“It is found in moments.”

His thumb brushed mine.

“In finding someone who sees every broken piece of you...” My voice cracked. “And decides to stay anyway.” Tears blurred my vision. “I vow to choose you every day.” A pause. “In every season. In every storm.” My heart squeezed painfully. “I vow to stand beside you when life is beautiful.” My smile widened. “And when life is ugly.”

The crowd laughed softly.

“I vow to build a life with you so full of love that even death gets jealous.”

Rowan laughed. A real laugh. Warm. Happy. Perfect.

I stepped closer, resting my forehead against his. “And if there is another lifetime after this one...” My voice dropped to a whisper meant only for him. “Find me again.”