Chapter 148: The Devil's Wedding

Chapter 148: The Devil's Wedding
"Come in," came the distracted voice.
Lexi stepped inside.
Emma was sitting cross-legged on her bed, laptop open, textbooks scattered everywhere.
She glanced up, blinking.
"Hey," she said. "You look... like you’re about to tell me something serious."
Lexi laughed nervously.
"Can we talk?"
Emma shrugged, setting the laptop aside.
"Sure."
Lexi sat on the edge of the bed, twisting her fingers together.
"I’m... pregnant," she said, the words rushing out.
For a second, there was silence.
Then Emma’s eyes widened so much Lexi thought they might fall out of her head.
"Wait, WHAT?"
Lexi braced herself.
For judgment.
For anger.
For disappointment.
But none came.
Instead, Emma burst into tears.
Lexi panicked.
"Oh my God, don’t cry—"
"You’re gonna have a baby?" Emma squeaked, wiping at her face. "You’re really gonna have a baby?"
Lexi nodded, overwhelmed.
Emma launched herself at her, hugging her tightly.
"I’m gonna be a sister!" she said, half-laughing, half-crying.
Lexi hugged her back, stunned.
"You’re okay with this?" she asked, voice small.
Emma pulled back, sniffling. "I wasn’t sure at first," she admitted. "I thought you were just some gold-digger who was gonna hurt Dad. But... you stayed. You fought. You cared when you didn’t have to."
Lexi’s throat tightened.
"I’m sorry I ever doubted you," Emma whispered.
Lexi smiled, tears in her eyes.
"It’s okay. I probably would’ve hated me too if I were you."
They both laughed, shaky and relieved.
Emma wiped her cheeks again.
"So... when do I get to start shopping for baby clothes?"
Lexi laughed.
"Give me a minute to breathe first."
Emma grinned.
"You’re gonna be a great mom."
And for the first time, Lexi believed it might actually be true.
—
When Julian returned home that evening, Lexi met him at the door, practically bouncing with nervous excitement.
"You told her," he guessed immediately, reading her like a book.
Lexi nodded.
"How did it go?" he asked, bracing himself.
Lexi beamed.
"She cried. In a good way."
Julian pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair.
"I love you," he whispered.
"And she’s excited," Lexi added, laughing. "She’s already planning shopping trips."
Julian groaned.
"God help my credit card."
They laughed together, the sound echoing warmly through the penthouse.
Then Julian grew serious.
He pulled back to look her in the eye.
"I want to marry you," he said, no preamble. "Before the baby comes."
Lexi blinked.
"Julian—"
"I’m not asking to trap you," he said quickly. "Or force you. But I want it clear. To the world. To you. To our child."
He cupped her cheek.
"You’re mine. Forever. And I’m yours."
Lexi’s heart twisted painfully, beautifully.
She thought about everything they’d survived.
The betrayals.
The lies.
The wounds they had stitched together with trembling hands.
She thought about the tiny life growing inside her.
She thought about love — real, messy, terrifying love — and realized she didn’t want to waste another second.
"I want that too," she whispered.
Julian’s face broke into the most breathtaking smile she’d ever seen.
He kissed her then, deep and slow, a promise sealed on her lips.
—
By the next morning, wedding preparations were already in motion.
Julian was unstoppable.
He hired the best planners in the city.
He booked the grandest hall — a glass-walled garden estate overlooking the ocean.
He arranged for a private jet to fly in Lexi’s family and closest friends.
Lexi stood back, half-amused, half-overwhelmed, watching him pace around the living room barking orders into his phone.
"Yes, I want the orchids imported," he snapped. "And the crystal candelabras — not the fake ones."
He turned, catching Lexi’s wide-eyed look, and softened immediately.
"Everything has to be perfect," he said, crossing to her. "You deserve it."
Lexi laughed, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I’d marry you barefoot in the backyard," she said.
Julian nuzzled her neck.
"You’re getting the backyard. And the orchids. And the candelabras."
She melted against him.
Maybe he was a little crazy.
Maybe he was too intense.
Maybe he loved her too much.
But God, she loved him right back.
—
The next few weeks were a whirlwind.
Fittings.
Tastings.
Meetings with florists, decorators, stylists.
Lexi tried on dresses that made her feel like a princess — but it wasn’t until she found a simple, flowing ivory gown that she felt like herself.
Julian was banned from seeing the dress, of course.
He pouted like a child about it, but Lexi stood firm.
"Bad luck," she teased.
"I make my own luck," he grumbled, but he kissed her anyway.
—
At night, they would collapse into bed together, exhausted but happy.
Julian would rest his hand on her growing bump, whispering nonsense to the baby.
Lexi would run her fingers through his hair, marveling that this man — this powerful, ruthless, dangerous man — could be so gentle.
So full of love.
For her.
For their future.
For the tiny life between them.
She fell deeper in love with him every day.
And for the first time in forever...
She wasn’t afraid.
Not of loving him.
Not of the future.
Because whatever came next —
They would face it together.
As husband and wife.
As partners.
As a family.
—
The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clear.
Sunlight spilled across the penthouse windows, casting a soft golden glow across everything it touched. It felt like the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for the moment when Lexi Thorn would finally, truly, become Julian Styles' forever.
Lexi sat in front of the large vanity mirror, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. Around her, a soft chaos of movement — stylists fussed with her hair, makeup artists leaned close, bridesmaids whispered and laughed softly. But Lexi heard none of it. Her mind was far away, lost in the enormity of today.
She touched her belly lightly, where a new life grew inside her. A reminder of how much had changed. How much she'd fought. How much she'd survived.
"You look like a goddess," Rachel whispered, stepping closer.
Lexi turned and smiled nervously. "I feel like I’m about to throw up."