Chapter 8 - The Wedding They Chose
They did not remarry immediately.
Nebula wanted time.
Matteo gave it.
He never pressured her.
He never assumed.
He simply stayed.
He attended therapy sessions with her.
He helped rebuild her trust.
He took her to places she'd forgotten.
Small restaurants.
Quiet beaches.
Bakeries.
Ordinary places.
He wanted her to see a side of life she had never associated with him.
One day, she asked:
“Why are you doing this?”
He looked at her.
“Because I love you.”
She smiled.
“You say it so easily now.”
“I've had three years of practice.”
She laughed.
Six months later, he proposed.
No diamonds the size of rocks.
No reporters.
No giant mansion.
Just a ring.
Her mother's ring.
He had repaired it.
“I don't want your father's contract,” he said.
“I don't want a debt.”
“I don't want an alliance.”
“I don't want protection.”
Nebula's eyes filled.
“Then what do you want?”
“You.”
He took her hand.
“Not because your father asked.”
“Not because our families need it.”
“Not because the world expects it.”
“Because every morning I want you there.”
She cried.
“Yes.”
They married by the lake.
Chloe stood beside her.
Their parents were gone.
But their memories remained.
Matteo looked nervous.
Nebula smiled.
“You're nervous.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“You could still fall.”
She laughed.
“I'm not going anywhere.”
They exchanged vows.
When Matteo kissed her, the crowd applauded.
No guns.
No threats.
No fear.
Just love.
At the reception, Nebula danced with her sister.
Chloe cried.
“You were always stronger than me.”
Nebula shook her head.
“We were both surviving.”
Matteo approached.
“May I?”
Nebula nodded.
He took her hand.
They danced.
May you like
And for the first time, the music didn't sound like a cage.
It sounded like freedom.
