Chapter 348 The Grand Finale

Chapter 348 The Grand Finale

Chloe Morgan's POV

After a long stretch of time, our travels came to an end.

Once we returned home, Dominic and I held our wedding ceremony.

Since this wedding was incredibly elaborate, almost everyone came. Even Amelia and Thomas flew back from overseas—they'd finally become a couple, a true meeting of hearts.

This time, Amelia was my maid of honor, along with Lila.

The wedding venue was covered in pristine white flowers and roses scattered across the ground. Hot air balloons drifted through the sky alongside heart-shaped balloons of every color. Romantic as always, Dominic had prepared this outdoor ceremony on a sprawling meadow.

Mountains stretched into the distance beyond the grass, with a lake and streams nearby. The venue had every amenity imaginable, even perfectly positioned lighting that caught the golden hour as the sun began to set.

Dominic had planned what he called "the wedding of the century," something that took months to prepare. With so many people gathered here, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness. I was deeply moved.

Step by step, I walked toward Dominic in my floor-length wedding gown—a white strapless dress that showed off my figure. My long hair had been styled into an updo by Dominic himself.

He wore a crisp white suit, his hair styled exactly the way I loved it most. I thought he looked absolutely stunning, and Dominic told me I was the most beautiful bride in the world.

Tears of joy streamed down my face as I wanted to say, "Thank you for being with me through it all."

Dominic's aunt Penelope was there to witness our marriage, her heart full of happiness. It felt like we'd finally fulfilled the wishes of those who'd passed away—a sense of completion at last.

Though many people attended, most were friends of Dominic and mine. There were no strangers—Dominic had deliberately kept the guest list intimate to avoid any complications.

A majestic flock of sheep wandered past in the distance. The clouds in the sky looked like spilled paint, brushstrokes of color floating by, filling everyone with joy—like we'd found true freedom.

Dominic took my hand, and we ran across the meadow together.

My wedding dress trailed behind me on the ground, but it didn't feel awkward at all. Instead, it felt like passionate, unrestrained clouds that could carry us into flight. Nothing would stand in our way anymore.

Dominic felt the same way. He gazed at me with such tenderness, tears glistening in his eyes. I hadn't expected him to cry, either.

"This is the ending we were always meant to reach," he said. "Even though many people have left us, even though many have hurt us, that's all finished now."

"What I mean is, everything from the past is behind us now. It's over. From now on, we'll have a fresh start. Please believe in me, okay?"

I didn't know what to say. Dominic's words left me speechless for a long time. I was truly grateful.

"I'm also so thankful I met you," I said. "Meeting you has been the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Before we knew it, we'd reached the ring exchange. The officiant spoke the vows as Dominic presented a ring he'd designed himself. The moment I saw it, I was absolutely stunned—this ring was crafted from diamonds, cost several hundred million dollars, was handmade, and was one of a kind in the world.

Looking into my eyes, Dominic said, "Let me put this on you."

My hand trembled slightly as I extended my finger, but he held my hand steady. "What are you afraid of? We'll face so much more together in the future. I'm talking about lifetime after lifetime." His words made me want to cry, but I couldn't. I could only watch as he smiled and slipped the ring onto my finger.

The crowd below erupted in enthusiastic cheers. It was time for the bouquet toss.

Holding my bouquet, I could see the gang members in the crowd chatting animatedly.

This time, it was Dominic's people and my friends in attendance, so they all knew each other pretty well.

Everyone seemed happy. The gang members shouted from the crowd, "Throw it to me! Throw it to me!" For a moment, I didn't know who to aim for. Looking out at everyone, I spotted my father. Seeing me so happy now, he seemed genuinely pleased too.

But he appeared to feel guilty about my mother and me.

Even though James was the kind of person he was, he was still my father. I felt there was no need to keep holding grudges, so I said to him, "Father, thank you too."

He didn't understand what I was thanking him for. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but in the end, he only managed, "I wish you both happiness."

I think my father would be happy too.

As for Liam's situation, the gang members spoke with righteous anger about how he'd been sentenced to death for multiple crimes, and the sentence had already been carried out.

Liam's father, Joseph, received life in prison, while Grace and Mary were also sentenced. They'd either die or spend the rest of their lives behind bars—they'd never be free to cause trouble again.

But everyone in the gang knew that Lucas had died during the investigation of this case.

They'd lost an important comrade, and their hearts ached.

But the dead couldn't be brought back to life.

They tried to comfort Lila, telling her not to be too heartbroken. "Maybe he'll meet you again in another dimension."

Lila just stayed silent. After the wedding ended, Dominic and I had quite a bit to drink.

We cheered at the venue, running and shouting freely across the meadow.

We didn't even know what we were shouting about—it just felt liberating, like we were finally able to express everything we'd been holding inside.

Lila hadn't spoken much throughout the event, but when she was beside me, she suddenly said, "Actually, I can't bear to let Lucas go. But now that this has all happened, I can't stop it anymore. I feel like I don't want to live alone in this world either."

"If Lucas has left me forever, I hope I can see him again, rather than enduring this life day after day in this world."

I heard what Lila was saying, but I'd been drinking and didn't think anything was wrong. I just comforted her, saying, "It's okay. Someday you'll move past this pain."

Lila nodded as if agreeing to something, but then she slowly walked away.

Lila Watson's POV

That night, everyone was drinking.

The sound of clinking glasses, laughter, and shouting all blended together, like they were going to drown out the entire world.

I drank until I was half-wasted, my limbs going soft, but my heart was more bitter than the alcohol.

I laughed and said, "Everyone's doing just fine. The person I love is gone—what's that supposed to mean?"

My tone carried mockery, as if I were making some kind of joke.

But no one responded.

They kept talking and laughing, as if they hadn't heard me at all.

I lowered my head, watching the liquor sway gently in my glass, restless like my heart.

Suddenly, tears started falling.

I looked up at the sky full of stars.

The night was beautiful, but the moon looked so lonely.

That solitary moon cast a pale glow, like Lucas's smile.

I thought maybe right now, he was somewhere up there watching me.

But I couldn't see him.

I didn't want to bear this kind of pain—something I couldn't see or touch.

I thought maybe it was time to leave.

Leave this place that made me think of him every single day.

Leave these days that pretended to be lively but were terrifyingly hollow.

I stood up and walked to the corner, gripping that familiar machine gun.

The metal was ice-cold, but it gave me a strange sense of calm.

"Lucas."

I whispered his name in my heart.

"I'm coming to find you."

I pressed the barrel against my chest.

A thunderous crack, as it tore through the night sky.

The bullet pierced through my chest, taking my breath away.

Warm blood flowed down my clothes, and my tears fell with it.

The pain in my chest was quickly replaced by something lighter.

I thought maybe tragic love wasn't just some ancient legend after all.

It turned out I really could come be with you, Lucas.

As long as I never had to feel sad again, leaving this place didn't matter.

My vision started to blur, the stars growing more and more distant.

I took my last breath and closed my eyes.

I chose to leave with you.