Chapter 236
Chapter 236
Sadie's POV
Everyone was looking at me expectantly. I took a shaky breath and stepped forward, Jake's hand still in mine.
"I, um." My voice cracked. "I'm not good at this."
"You're doing great!" Brooklyn shouted.
That got a laugh.
"Okay." I tried again. "Three years ago, I left. I ran away because I thought it was the right thing to do. Because I thought Jake deserved better than someone like me—someone with a complicated past and no family name and nothing to offer but love."
Jake's hand tightened on mine.
"But I was wrong." I looked at him. "Because love is everything. It's the only thing that matters. And Jake—" My voice broke. "You taught me that. You taught me that I'm worthy of being chosen. Of being loved. Of being someone's first choice, not their backup plan."
Tears were streaming down my face now, but I didn't care.
"So I'm standing here tonight, in front of all of you, to make you a promise." I turned to fully face Jake. "I promise to love you with everything I have. I promise to trust you, even when I'm scared. I promise to build a life with you—not because it's easy, but because you're worth fighting for. Because we're worth fighting for."
I pulled a folded piece of paper from the hidden pocket in my dress. My hands shook as I opened it.
"I wrote this letter three years ago," I said. "The night before I left for London. I never had the courage to give it to you then. But tonight, I want to read it to you. In front of everyone."
Jake's eyes were red-rimmed.
I cleared my throat and began.
"Dear Jake,
If you're reading this, it means I've already left. I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye to your face, because I knew if I saw you one more time, I wouldn't have the strength to leave.
You once asked me what my biggest dream was. I told you it was to become a diplomat, to make a difference in the world. But the truth is, my biggest dream has always been you.
From the moment I saw you on that summer night three years ago, sitting alone in that old drive-in theater, staring at the stars like you were searching for something you'd lost... I knew I was in love with you.
I tried to hide it. I tried to convince myself that someone like me—a girl from the wrong side of town, with a criminal for a father—could never deserve someone like you. But you made it impossible not to love you.
So tonight, in front of all these people, I want to make you a promise: I will spend the rest of my life trying to be the woman you see when you look at me. The woman who is brave enough to stand by your side, no matter what the world thinks.
I love you, Jake Montgomery. I always have, and I always will.
Forever yours,
Sadie."
By the time I finished, half the crowd was crying. Jake's face was wet with tears as he pulled me into his arms, burying his face in my hair.
"You are that woman," he whispered fiercely. "You've always been that woman."
"I know." I held him tighter. "I know that now."
We stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped up in each other while fireworks continued to explode overhead. When we finally pulled apart, Jake took the microphone one last time.
"One more thing," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I need everyone here to know something. Sadie is not just my fiancée. She's not just the woman I love. She's my partner. My equal. And if anyone—anyone—tries to disrespect her or make her feel like she doesn't belong, they'll have to answer to me."
His eyes swept over the crowd, daring someone to challenge him.
"She belongs here," he continued. "She belongs with me. And I will spend every day for the rest of my life making sure she knows it."
The crowd erupted again, but this time it felt different. Not just polite applause, but genuine support. Acceptance.
I looked around at the faces—Mom beaming through her tears, Diane clutching Charles's arm, Liam and Brooklyn grinning at each other, my friends cheering—and felt something shift inside me.
"Come on." Jake tugged my hand. "There's someone I want you to meet."
He led me through the crowd to where an elderly woman sat in an ornate chair near the fireplace. She had sharp blue eyes and silver hair styled in an elegant updo, and she was watching us with an expression I couldn't quite read.
"Grandmother," Jake said, his voice carefully neutral. "I'd like you to meet Sadie."
Mary Montgomery's gaze swept over me, assessing. For a moment, I thought she was going to say something cutting. But then her face softened, and she reached out a hand.
"Come here, child."
I stepped closer, and she took my hand in both of hers. Her skin was papery and cool, but her grip was surprisingly strong.
"You're the one who brought the light back to his eyes," she said quietly.
My throat tightened. "I—"
"Don't apologize." She squeezed my hand. "Just promise me you'll take care of him. He acts tough, but he has a soft heart. Too soft, sometimes."
I glanced at Jake, who was watching us with barely concealed anxiety.
"I promise," I said.
Mary nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then welcome to the family, Sadie Brooks."
She released my hand, and Jake immediately pulled me away, looking relieved.
"That went better than expected," I said.
"She likes you." He sounded surprised. "She never likes anyone."
"Maybe she just has good taste."
He laughed and kissed the top of my head. "Maybe."
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of champagne toasts and congratulations. Liam gave an embarrassingly heartfelt speech about how Jake had been "disgustingly mopey" for three years and how glad he was to have his best friend back. Brooklyn made everyone laugh with stories about our high school days. Even Maya and Zoe got up to say a few words, their voices thick with emotion.
Through it all, Jake never left my side. His hand was always on my waist or holding mine, grounding me, reminding me that this was real.
As the night wore on and guests began to filter out, Jake pulled me onto the dance floor for one last song. The lights had been dimmed, and fairy lights twinkled overhead like stars.
"Tired?" he murmured, swaying with me to the soft music.
"Exhausted." I rested my head on his chest. "But happy."
"Good." He pressed a kiss to my hair. "Because I have one more surprise."
I groaned. "Jake, I can't handle any more surprises tonight."
"You'll like this one. I promise."
He led me outside, where a black car was waiting. The driver opened the door, and Jake helped me inside before sliding in next to me.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
We drove through the quiet streets of Lincoln Heights, past darkened houses and empty parks. After about twenty minutes, the car pulled up to a familiar building—Jake's private apartment in the city.
"Jake—"
"Come on." He was already out of the car, offering me his hand.
Inside, the apartment was dark except for a trail of rose petals leading from the door to the bedroom. Candles flickered on every surface, casting warm, golden light.
"You did all this?" I whispered.
"I had help." He pulled me close. "But the idea was all mine."
I turned in his arms to face him. "Thank you. For tonight. For everything."
"Don't thank me." He cupped my face, thumbs stroking my cheekbones. "This is just the beginning, Sadie. I'm going to spend the rest of my life making you happy."
"You already do."
"Good." He kissed me softly. "Then let me keep doing it. Forever."
"Forever," I agreed.
And as he lifted me into his arms and carried me toward the bedroom, rose petals scattering in our wake, I knew with absolute certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
With him.
Always.
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THE END