Chapter 294: Forever Begins Now

The moment Clara saw him, the world disappeared.

Everything around her—the elegant decorations, the guests seated in rows, the gentle music filling the hall—faded into the background as if none of it truly existed.

Her entire attention was locked onto only one person.

Matteo De Luca.

Her heart skipped hard inside her chest as her eyes settled on the man waiting for her at the altar.

He stood there as if the entire moment had been created only for them.

Only for her.

His gaze was already fixed on her.

Deep.

Unwavering.

Filled with longing, impatience, and a love so intense that it made Clara’s breath catch in her throat.

Matteo De Luca.

The world-famous superstar.

Her groom.

He stood tall and confident in a perfectly tailored black three-piece suit. The sharp lines of the suit emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful frame, making him look like a man who had stepped straight out of one of the romantic films that had made him famous.

Handsome.

Irresistibly attractive.

So striking that Clara almost forgot how to breathe.

For a brief second, a very improper thought flashed through her mind.

She imagined running her fingers over every inch of the strong body hidden beneath that elegant suit.

Her cheeks warmed instantly.

Get a grip, girl.

She scolded herself silently.

Just a little longer.

Just a few more minutes.

And he would be hers for the rest of their lives.

Clara shook her head slightly, trying to clear the mischievous thought.

But honestly, how could she help it?

Matteo De Luca had always had that effect on her.

His charm.

His presence.

The way his eyes softened every time he looked at her.

Everything about him made Clara feel like the luckiest woman alive.

As she continued walking down the aisle, Matteo slowly stepped forward.

His gaze moved over her carefully.

He was studying her.

Admiring her.

Taking in every detail.

The way the white dress hugged her figure.

The way the delicate veil framed her glowing face.

The way her eyes shimmered with emotion.

To him, she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world.

And he didn’t even try to hide it.

By the time Clara reached the stage, Carter gently released her hand.

Matteo immediately stretched his own hand toward her.

Clara placed her hand in his.

A warm smile spread across Matteo’s face as he helped her step up onto the small platform beside him.

Then he leaned closer.

His lips brushed softly against her cheek.

“You look absolutely stunning, wifey,” he whispered near her ear.

His voice was low and full of admiration.

His eyes slowly moved over her again before returning to her face.

Pride shone clearly in his gaze.

Love glowed in his expression.

The way he looked at her made Clara blush softly.

She lowered her eyes shyly before lifting them again with a small smile.

The ceremony began.

The officiant stepped forward and greeted everyone with a calm and steady voice. He spoke about love, commitment, and the meaning of marriage.

Matteo stood beside Clara the entire time.

Their hands remained tightly joined.

The warmth of his fingers wrapped around hers sent a soft wave of emotion through her heart again and again.

For a brief moment, Clara’s eyes drifted toward the front row.

There she saw someone who meant everything to her.

Her grandmother.

The elderly woman sat comfortably, smiling warmly at her granddaughter.

Clara’s chest filled with emotion.

Matteo had arranged everything for her grandmother.

He had personally ensured she could move closer to them.

He had brought her from Paris to Los Angeles.

He had arranged a beautiful home where she could live peacefully.

He had even hired housekeepers to help take care of her every day.

Matteo had done all of that for one simple reason.

Because he knew how important her grandmother was to Clara.

Her grandmother was the only family she had left in the world.

And Matteo had made sure she would never feel alone again.

Gratitude filled Clara’s heart.

She turned back toward Matteo.

Standing beside him now, she felt a deep calm settle inside her chest.

She knew something with absolute certainty.

This man would never leave her.

Not again.

Not ever.

This was the life she had always hoped for.

Her happily ever after.

Soon the officiant’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

The moment had arrived.

He turned toward her.

“Do you, Clara Simon, take Matteo De Luca to be your lawful husband?”

Clara looked directly at Matteo.

Their hands were still joined.

Their eyes locked together.

And without a second of hesitation, she smiled.

“I do.”

The words left her lips with absolute certainty.

Just like that, everything changed.

The officiant then turned toward Matteo.

“And do you, Matteo De Luca, take Clara Simon to be your lawful wife?”

Matteo didn’t hesitate for even a moment.

His gaze remained steady on her.

His voice was calm, confident, and full of emotion.

“I do.”

The sincerity in his voice made Clara’s heart swell.

The rings were handed to them.

Matteo gently slid the ring onto Clara’s finger.

Clara then placed the ring onto Matteo’s hand.

The simple gesture sealed the promise they had just made.

The officiant smiled warmly as he spoke the words everyone had been waiting for.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Then he nodded toward Matteo.

“You may kiss your bride.”

Matteo didn’t wait.

He leaned forward immediately.

His lips met Clara’s in a kiss that sealed everything they had been through together.

The crowd burst into loud applause and joyful cheers.

Matteo wrapped one arm firmly around Clara’s waist, pulling her closer against him.

With his other hand, he gently supported the back of her neck.

He tilted her face upward slightly.

The kiss deepened.

It remained soft and tender.

But the emotion behind it was impossible to hide.

Clara placed one hand behind his neck, pulling him closer.

Her fingers slid into his hair.

The kiss lingered longer than either of them expected.

When they finally separated, both of them were breathing slightly faster.

Clara looked up into his eyes.

A soft smile appeared on her lips.

“I love you, Mrs. De Luca,” Matteo said proudly.

Every word carried deep affection.

Clara’s heart fluttered at hearing her new name.

She gazed up at him with shining eyes.

“I love you too… husband,” she whispered playfully.

Matteo pulled her closer again.

His breath brushed softly near her ear.

“You are mine, wifey,” he murmured.

The words sounded like a promise.

Clara leaned closer to him.

“Yours forever,” she replied softly.

Matteo tightened his hold around her waist.

“God… you’re going to be the death of me, love,” he muttered with a smile before kissing her once more.

Every kiss.

Every touch.

Every glance between them carried the same message.

They had found their way back to each other.

And nothing would separate them again.

Nearby, Elena and Camila watched the couple with bright smiles.

Their happiness was impossible to hide.

“I’m so happy Matteo married a woman who loves him with everything she has,” Camila said warmly.

“He deserves that kind of love.”

Elena nodded immediately.

“He truly does,” she replied.

“He’s such a good person. And Clara… she’s perfect for him. A loving wife who would do anything to make him happy.”

Camila exhaled softly, satisfied.

“Exactly.”

But then Camila noticed something had changed.

Elena’s smile slowly faded.

Her eyes dropped toward her phone.

A tense expression replaced her earlier joy.

Camila frowned slightly.

“What’s wrong, Mila?” she asked.

Elena looked up.

Concern filled her eyes.

“It’s about Torres,” she said quietly.

And the tension in her voice hinted that something was terribly wrong.