Chapter 105 Private Ceremony
After this storm passed, their lives and work got back on track, and the children gradually calmed down, too.
It was just that Theodore would occasionally bring up that wedding fiasco again, teasing that Arthur's crisis management was like a miracle.
Evelyn would listen with a smile, still feeling shaken by it all.
Thank goodness Arthur handled everything; otherwise, she didn't know what the outcome would have been.
She was fine, but what she cared about most was how the children felt. She didn't want them to be affected or hurt for no reason; that was the last thing she wanted to see.
Arthur sensed Evelyn's unease. After finishing up at the office that day, he came to her studio to find her.
"Arthur?"
Evelyn was surprised that he would suddenly show up here. When Arthur handed her a bouquet, he'd already prepared.
"Evelyn, I'm sorry. I wanted to give you a perfect wedding, but didn't expect this kind of mess to happen."
Evelyn took the bouquet and shook her head with a smile. "You couldn't have predicted this. It's not your fault."
Who could have imagined that a rival company from years ago would come up with such a dirty trick to get at him?
Even she felt caught off guard. Arthur's response was good enough.
Her understanding and generosity made Arthur feel even more guilty. He let out a slow sigh, took her hand, and said, "Evelyn, you being like this makes me feel worse. I've already decided to make it up to you with a private ceremony, no guests, no cameras, just us and the kids."
It had been so long since they'd taken the children out alone, just the family.
Partly because of work, partly because of public attention, many things couldn't be done as freely anymore. There was too much to consider.
"You don't need to..."
Evelyn wanted to refuse, but Arthur held her hand firmly and said, "Evelyn, give me a chance to make this right."
She looked into his serious and sincere eyes, was silent for a moment, and finally nodded.
To say she felt no regret at all would be a lie. Having a good wedding ruined by someone bothered Evelyn a bit.
It was just that in front of her parents, she didn't want to say much. She didn't want them to worry about her anymore.
For this make-up ceremony, Evelyn handled her work in advance and let her parents know.
Daisy was still thinking about the wedding incident and couldn't help but ask with concern, "Evelyn, are you really okay? If you're feeling bad, tell me. Don't keep it bottled up inside."
"I'm not keeping it bottled up," Evelyn said into the phone with a smile. "Mom, I already told you, I won't let myself suffer."
"What about that thing with Arthur? Did you ask him about it?"
Daisy asked carefully, as if afraid that bringing up the past would hurt her.
Evelyn was at a loss for words for a moment, looking down at the documents on the table. "Mom, that's in the past. I trust Arthur, so there's no need to bring it up again."
Hearing her say this, Daisy's feelings were complicated. She knew Evelyn best.
Although Evelyn loved passionately and could compromise for Arthur's sake, she was a very strong person.
Compared to the Collins family's harsh treatment over those years, being betrayed emotionally would be a devastating blow to her.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so determined to get divorced and resolutely returned to the White Villa while pregnant.
"Evelyn."
Daisy sighed inwardly and said seriously, "I just hope you understand that whether you're living alone or with someone, I just want to see you happy. No matter what others think, I don't care. What you think is what matters most!"
"Mom..."
Hearing Daisy's words, Evelyn's heart ached, and tears almost came out.
Sure enough, as a mother, she always thought about her child. No matter how old the child was, whether married or with kids, she was still Daisy's most precious daughter.
After talking with Daisy for a while, Evelyn collected herself and took a car to the address Arthur had sent her.
This private ceremony was entirely arranged by Arthur. When she arrived, she discovered it was the garden restaurant where they'd first gotten engaged.
Evelyn was suddenly flooded with memories, standing there staring at the restaurant's sign.
Not much had changed here. Everything was still as she remembered it.
She slowly walked into the hall. The lights suddenly dimmed, and before she could react, Arthur and the four children came out from a corner, pushing a wedding cake.
Evelyn froze for a few seconds, then burst out laughing.
Only Arthur could think of this, bringing her to the restaurant where they first got engaged and recreating that day's cake.
The children ran and jumped over to her, smiling and calling out, "Mommy, blow out the candles!"
Evelyn bent down with a smile and blew out the candles. The overhead lights came on, and Arthur leaned down to kiss her cheek.
"Evelyn, you look beautiful today."
Although she was wearing a simple dress, not as radiant as on the wedding day, to Arthur, she was beautiful no matter what, the most captivating person in his heart.
He took out a ring from his pocket, knelt on one knee, and looked at Evelyn. "Evelyn, I hope you'll wear this ring."
There were no other customers in the garden restaurant - clearly it had been cleared out beforehand.
Evelyn looked at the devoted Arthur before her, then at the excited children beside them, nodded, and extended her right hand.
Seeing Arthur put the ring on Evelyn's finger, the four children clapped hard, unable to hide the smiles on their faces.
The air felt as gentle as after rain, and even the wind was quiet.
Arthur stood up and pulled Evelyn into his arms, feeling like the happiest person in the world.
Leaning against his solid chest, Evelyn suddenly realized that this was their real wedding.
No noise, no cameras, no unwarranted malice. Just their little family's fresh start in peace.
"Evelyn."
Arthur lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "I won't let you regret marrying me. You're giving me this chance, and I'll cherish it."
Evelyn closed her eyes and answered softly, "I trust you."
She'd said this over and over, as if emphasizing something, with a strange sense of unease deep inside.
Would she and Arthur walk toward a beautiful future together? Even she couldn't say for sure.
The children gathered around them, nestling close, their faces full of contentment.