Chapter 177

Chapter 177
Sienna's POV

While Hayes handled logistics and vendors, I threw myself into creating personal touches that would make our wedding uniquely ours. If I was going to marry into the Sterling family, I wanted everyone to know exactly who I was and what I brought to this union. I spent three days in my workshop crafting custom elements that would weave my identity throughout the celebration.

For my bridesmaids—Payton, Reina, and Ava—I designed matching champagne-colored sneakers with hand-tooled leather details and their names embossed in gold on the soles. For Hayes, I created something even more special: a pair of pure white leather dress shoes with subtle perforation patterns, and on the inner sole, invisible to everyone but him, I hand-carved "Forever my champion" in script so fine it looked like calligraphy.

But my most ambitious project was replacing traditional paper place cards with small leather tags, each one hand-cut and personally engraved with our guests' names. It took me nearly forty hours, working late into the night while Hayes slept, but every tag was perfect.

When Hayes discovered my workshop covered in leather scraps and gold leaf, he was quiet for a long moment, picking up one of the finished place cards and running his thumb over the precise lettering.

"You made all of these yourself?"

"I wanted everyone to know," I said, suddenly feeling self-conscious about the scope of the project. "I wanted them to see that I'm not just Hayes Sterling's wife. I'm also Sienna Thorne, and I make beautiful things with my hands."

Hayes set down the card and pulled me into his arms, his expression fierce with pride. "Baby, everyone's going to know exactly who you are. When the wedding photos are published, every single article is going to mention that all the custom details were 'hand-crafted by renowned artisan Sienna Thorne-Sterling.'"

The hyphenated name sent a thrill through me that I hadn't expected. Not because I was becoming a Sterling, but because Hayes wanted the world to know I remained a Thorne.

The media attention was relentless, as Bobby reminded us during our final planning meeting. "Twenty-three outlets have requested exclusive access," he reported. "TMZ is offering seven figures for inside photos."

Hayes didn't even look up from the seating chart. "The answer to all of them is no."

"Hayes," Bobby pressed, "this is free publicity worth millions—"

"No." Hayes's voice carried that final quality that ended discussions. "This is our wedding, not a media event. We'll release official photos after the ceremony, but no press access during."

Bobby sighed. "The media won't like being shut out. They'll probably run stories about you being secretive."

Hayes finally looked up, his expression coldly amused. "Let them write whatever they want. The only person whose opinion matters is sitting right here." He reached over and took my hand. "And after Saturday, I'll post our official photos with a caption that makes it very clear how proud I am to call Sienna my wife."

The protective certainty in his voice made my chest tight with emotion. Hayes was choosing our privacy and my comfort over millions in publicity value.

---

Sterling Manor at dawn on our wedding day was a vision of controlled chaos and breathtaking beauty. The estate had been transformed into something from a dream—the chapel adorned with white roses and my hand-crafted leather tassels, the gardens strung with thousands of fairy lights.

I woke in the manor's tower suite, a circular room with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the coastline. The morning light streamed across the hardwood floors, illuminating my wedding dress hanging from the antique armoire like a promise waiting to be fulfilled.

"Good morning, beautiful bride," Payton sang as she pushed through the door, followed by Reina carrying coffee and pastries. Both were already dressed in their champagne bridesmaid gowns, wearing the custom sneakers I'd made for them.

"How are you feeling?" Reina asked, studying my face with concern. "You look a little pale."

I sat up in bed, my hands trembling slightly as I reached for the coffee. "I'm nervous. Which is ridiculous, right? We're already married."

"It's not ridiculous at all," Payton said, settling beside me. "This is different. This is you and Hayes choosing each other in front of everyone who matters to you."

Through the windows, I could see the final preparations happening below—florists adding touches to the rose garden arrangements, catering staff setting up cocktail stations, Hayes's groomsmen arriving in black SUVs. Somewhere in the manor, Hayes was getting ready too, probably just as nervous as I was.

A soft knock interrupted us, and my breath caught as my mother stepped into the room. She looked elegant in a soft lavender dress suit, carrying a small wrapped box.

I'd sent her an invitation a few days ago, and she'd promised to come. All morning I'd been hoping she would show up, but I hadn't seen any sign of her.

"Mom," I breathed, standing quickly. "I thought you might not come."

Payton and Reina exchanged glances and quietly excused themselves, giving us privacy.

Lillian's eyes filled with tears as she took in the sight of me in my silk robe, surrounded by the trappings of my wedding day. "Sienna, dear, how could I miss this? You look radiant."

I felt my own tears threatening. "I'm so glad you're here, Mom."

"I know I haven't been the mother you deserved," she said softly. "But today, I want you to know how proud I am of the woman you've become."

She handed me the box, and I opened it with trembling fingers. Inside was a vintage pearl necklace—three strands of perfectly matched pearls with an art deco diamond clasp.

"This was your grandmother's," Lillian continued, her voice thick with emotion. "She wore this when she married your grandfather. She said it brought her sixty years of happiness, and she wanted it to do the same for you."

I lifted the necklace, feeling the weight of its history. "It's beautiful, Mom. Thank you."

Lillian moved behind me to fasten the clasp, her fingers gentle against my neck. "You know, your grandmother would have adored Hayes. She always said the right man would see your strength and love you for it, not in spite of it."

I turned to face her, tears finally spilling over. "I've been so scared, Mom. Scared that I don't belong in his world, that I'm not good enough for all of this."

"Oh, dear." Lillian cupped my face in her hands. "You're not marrying into his world—you're creating a new one together. From what I've seen, Hayes Sterling knows exactly how lucky he is to have you."

We held each other then, mother and daughter, healing old wounds with the simple act of being present when it mattered most.

We embraced for a long time, until Lillian gently pulled back, somewhat hesitantly saying: "Sienna, I wanted to ask—if you'd like, could I walk you down the aisle?"