Chapter 8 - The Wedding Nobody Thought Would HappenBianca eventually proposed.
Not Arthur.
Bianca.
She placed a simple ring on the table.
“I am not asking you to forget.”
Arthur looked at her.
“Forget what?”
“The person you used to be.”
He smiled.
“I don't want to forget him.”
“Why?”
“Because he reminds me how far I've come.”
She nodded.
“Then marry me as the man you are now.”
Arthur smiled.
“Yes.”
Their wedding was small.
Clara stood beside him.
Sophia carried flowers.
Bianca's brother attended.
Their parents did not.
The ceremony took place in the backyard.
No cameras.
No business associates.
No politicians.
No weapons.
Arthur said:
“I thought power was the ability to make people obey.”
He looked at Bianca.
“Then I learned power is the courage to admit when you're wrong.”
Bianca smiled.
“I thought love meant protecting someone from the truth.”
She looked at Arthur.
“Then I learned love means trusting them with it.”
They exchanged rings.
Clara cried.
Sophia clapped too loudly.
Everyone laughed.
Afterward, Arthur danced with Clara.
“You know,” he said, “eleven years ago I never imagined I'd be dancing with my sister.”
Clara smiled.
“Neither did I.”
“I'm sorry about Thomas.”
“I know.”
“I'll always be sorry.”
She leaned against him.
“Then remember him.”
“I do.”
“Good.”
Arthur looked at Sophia.
She was dancing with Bianca's brother.
He smiled.
This was what Thomas had died for.
Not revenge.
Family.
May you like
Truth.
A chance to live differently.
