Chapter 197 CHAPTER 197
Happy ever after
The morning sun rose slowly over the estate grounds, casting a warm golden glow across the massive garden that had been transformed overnight into a wedding haven. Soft music flowed from the speakers arranged discreetly behind draped floral arches.
Rows of white chairs faced a double-wide altar decorated with fresh roses, lilies, and chandeliers suspended elegantly under a transparent canopy. Everywhere smelled of flowers, vanilla candles, and promise.
It was the day no one thought would ever come.
Ares and Tessa’s wedding.
Julian and Ayisha’s wedding.
Same place. Same time. Same stage.
A double celebration for two couples who had survived storms that could have broken anyone else.
Inside the bridal cottage, Tessa stood before the mirror, hardly recognizing herself. Her wedding gown was a soft ivory, elegant but not loud, long sleeves, fitted bodice, flowing skirt that made her look almost weightless. Her hair was pinned up in a loose bun with delicate crystal pins shimmering gently. She looked older than the girl who once ran from everything, but stronger too. Softer in a way that only healing could create.
Ayisha stood beside her wearing a similar dress, but champagne-gold. Her makeup was simple, her eyes shining and alive. A satisfied smile spread across her face as she adjusted her veil.
“Can you believe this?” Ayisha whispered.
Tessa exhaled shakily. “I can’t. I still feel like I’ll wake up and this will all disappear.”
Ayisha took her hand. “Nothing is disappearing today. Not love. Not peace. Not your future. You earned all of it.”
Tessa swallowed. “After everything we went through… I’m scared.”
“It’s okay to be scared,” Ayisha said softly. “But still walk forward. Today… this is the first day of a real life. A better one.”
Tessa nodded slowly. Ayisha squeezed her hand again, then stepped away as the door burst open.
Beauty, Pretty, Jamal, and Kamal rushed inside in their miniature outfits, giggling and bouncing. The boys wore tiny suits. The girls wore cream colored flower girl dresses with small rose crowns on their hair.
“Mummy!” Beauty shouted. “You look like somebody from Cinderella!”
“You’re so pretty!” Pretty added, spinning in excitement.
Jamal lifted his tiny camera. “I’m taking pictures so Daddy will see you before the wedding.”
Kamal hugged her tightly. “We’re happy today.”
Tessa knelt, holding all four of them in her arms as tears filled her eyes.
She whispered, “I’m happy too.”
For a moment she allowed herself to breathe in the reality, her children were safe, smiling, alive, and here. Ares had accepted them. Fate had forced its truth forward, but now everything was calm.
Ayisha came to hug them all. “Alright, little warriors. We have a ceremony to attend. Your dad and Uncle Julian are waiting.”
The kids cheered and ran out. Tessa remained kneeling, overwhelmed. Ayisha helped her stand.
“You’re ready,” Ayisha whispered.
Tessa nodded.
Ares stood near the altar, trying not to tug on his suit jacket. Everything felt too tight, his chest, his collar, his emotions. He had faced death, survived betrayal, lost family, rebuilt himself but nothing terrified him like this moment. His hands trembled slightly, so he shoved them into his pockets.
Julian smirked at him as he adjusted his own tie. “Relax. You look like you’re about to faint.”
Ares glared lightly. “I’m perfectly fine.”
“You’re sweating through your expensive suit.”
“I’m warm.”
Julian laughed. “You’re scared.”
“Shut up,” Ares muttered, though there was no venom in his tone.
Their friendship had grown thick as blood. Ares looked at him fully then. “I’m proud of you.”
Julian blinked. “What’s that for?”
“You didn’t give up. You survived heartbreak. And you found someone who actually deserves you.”
Julian swallowed. “You too.”
Ares nodded once. “Thank you.”
Before Julian could answer, the music shifted and the entire crowd rose from their seats. The flower petals began to scatter on the aisle as the quadruplets walked forward—ladies first, boys following. The guests clapped lightly. The kids beamed with pride.
Then the brides appeared.
Tessa stepped into view, and Ares felt his breath disappear entirely. He had seen her hundreds of times—angry, crying, laughing, terrified but never like this. Never with this kind of peace wrapped around her like a veil of its own.
Beside her, Ayisha walked gracefully, her arm linked with Julian’s uncle who escorted her down. Ayisha held her chin high, her smile steady, her steps firm.
Tessa’s eyes met Ares’. Neither looked away.
All their past, the fights, the pain, the accusations, the heartbreak, the children, the deaths, everything hovered silently in the space between them. But none of it pulled them apart anymore. Not today.
Today, they finally walked toward each other.
Tessa reached the altar. Ares held out his hand. She placed hers in his. The world around them blurred into a soft hum.
Julian reached his position with Ayisha at the opposite end of the double altar.
The officiant smiled warmly. “Two weddings, one ceremony. Two journeys, one destiny. Today we join not just partners, but families.”
The vows began.
Ares lifted Tessa’s hands gently. His voice trembled. “Tessa… I didn’t think I deserved forgiveness. And I didn’t think I could give it. But you’ve taught me that love changes everything. I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted to lose you.” His voice cracked. “I promise to protect you, respect you, and build the future we lost and found again.”
Tessa breathed out shakily. “Ares… I hated you at a point. I loved you at a point. I feared you at a point. But somehow all the chaos brought us to this day. You’ve hurt me. I’ve hurt you. But we healed. And I want a peaceful life with you. I want our kids to grow up knowing their parents stood side by side. I promise to love you, honor you, and walk with you. No more running.”
Ares closed his eyes, absorbing her words as if they stitched something broken inside him.
The officiant turned to Julian and Ayisha. Their vows were shorter, Ayisha joked halfway through hers, Julian laughed then cried, and the guests wiped tears.
Rings were exchanged.
Then came the words.
“By the authority vested in me… I now pronounce you husband and wife. Both couples… you may kiss your brides.”
Ares pulled Tessa gently closer, touching her face before kissing her with a slow depth that felt like eight years of silent longing finally breathing. Tessa wrapped her arms around him, her heartbeat syncing with his.
Julian swept Ayisha into his arms, kissing her with fierce joy.
The guests erupted into applause.
The quadruplets ran onto the stage, hugging their parents. Beauty clung to Ares’ leg. Jamal lifted his arms for Tessa. Pretty grabbed Ayisha’s veil. Kamal shouted, “Family picture!”
Everyone laughed.
Ares lifted two children at once. Tessa took the other two. Julian and Ayisha joined them. Cameras clicked. The sun flared behind them.
A new beginning captured in a single frame.
The reception was loud, warm, and filled with emotion. Ares and Tessa danced their first dance slowly, her head resting on his chest. Julian spun Ayisha on the other side of the dance floor. The children ran between tables. Laughter flowed freely.
Later, Tessa leaned against Ares’ shoulder. “We made it,” she whispered.
Ares kissed the top of her head. “We survived.”
“No,” she said quietly. “We lived.”
Ares looked down at her, the woman he once resented, feared, loved, lost, and found again. The mother of his children. His wife.
His future.
He whispered, “And we will keep living. Together.”
Tessa smiled softly. “Together.”
As the night sky filled with fireworks, the two couples held hands, surrounded by family, peace, and the beginning of a lifetime.