Chapter 8 - The Wedding Vanessa Wasn't Invited ToEthan and Maya's wedding was beautiful.
Hundreds of guests attended.
But the ceremony was intimate.
No one cared about money.
Everyone cared about love.
I walked my son down the aisle.
He looked nervous.
"You okay?"
He smiled.
"Terrified."
"Good."
"Why?"
"Because this time you understand what you're risking."
He laughed.
Maya walked toward us.
Ethan's eyes filled with tears.
He whispered:
"She's everything."
I smiled.
"Then treat her that way."
"I will."
The ceremony began.
When Ethan exchanged vows, he looked at Maya.
"I spent years believing wealth protected me."
He paused.
"Then my mother taught me that character protects you."
I cried.
Maya looked at me.
Then she smiled.
After the ceremony, I found Vanessa standing outside.
She wasn't invited.
But she wasn't causing trouble.
She simply watched from across the street.
I walked toward her.
"You came."
She nodded.
"I wanted to see him happy."
"You should."
She smiled sadly.
"He looks different."
"He is."
She wiped her eyes.
"I'm glad."
I stood beside her.
"You changed too."
She laughed softly.
"I had to."
Then she looked toward the wedding.
"Does he hate me?"
"No."
"Does he ever think about me?"
"Sometimes."
She nodded.
"That's enough."
Then she walked away.
I watched her disappear.
May you like
Sometimes people don't belong in our future.
But that doesn't mean we have to hate them forever.
