Chapter 9 - The Wedding Nobody Thought Would Happen
Gabriel proposed in the clinic.
Not a mansion.
Not a yacht.
Not an expensive restaurant.
The same clinic where their story had started.
Emily was changing a light bulb when he walked in.
"Why are you doing that?"
"Because nobody else fixed it."
He took the ladder.
"You're impossible."
"So are you."
He climbed up.
Then came down.
Then stood in front of her.
He was nervous.
Emily had never seen him nervous.
"What?"
He took a small box from his pocket.
She froze.
"Gabriel."
"I know."
"You don't have to."
"I want to."
He opened it.
Inside was a simple ring.
Not diamonds.
Not extravagant.
Just a thin gold band.
Emily touched it.
"Why this?"
"Because when I was a boy, my mother wore one like it."
She looked at him.
"I thought you hated family heirlooms."
"I hated what my family made them mean."
He took her hand.
"I want to change that."
She cried.
"Yes."
He laughed.
"Yes?"
"Yes."
He kissed her.
The wedding took place six months later.
Small.
Private.
No mafia decorations.
No guns.
No men guarding every door.
Evelyn walked Emily down the aisle.
Emma stood beside her.
Luca stood beside Gabriel.
Mercer sat in the front row with his daughter.
The ceremony was simple.
Gabriel's vows were short.
"I spent most of my life believing love was another word for weakness."
He looked at Emily.
"Then you taught me that loving someone is choosing to become better."
Emily cried.
He continued.
"I can't promise you a perfect life."
She smiled.
"I don't want one."
"I can promise you something better."
"What?"
"The truth."
They married.
At the reception, Liam approached Gabriel cautiously.
He was wearing a new jacket.
Gabriel glanced at it.
Then at Emily.
She laughed.
"It's his."
Gabriel narrowed his eyes.
Liam immediately said:
"Sir, this one is mine."
Everyone laughed.
Gabriel shook his head.
"Good."
Emily leaned toward him.
"Still jealous?"
"Of Liam?"
"Yes."
"No."
She smiled.
"You're lying."
"Maybe."
They danced.
For once, Gabriel looked peaceful.
Then his phone vibrated.
He answered.
His face changed.
Emily noticed.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Gabriel."
He sighed.
"Someone found another old file."
"Where?"
"Chicago."
She frowned.
"About what?"
He looked at her.
"Your father."
Her smile disappeared.
"Again?"
"There is something he never told you."
"What?"
Gabriel took her hand.
"The woman who raised you after the accident wasn't your aunt."
Emily froze.
"Who was she?"
"She was someone your father hired."
"Why?"
"To protect you."
"From whom?"
"From the person who caused the accident."
She whispered:
"Who?"
Gabriel's face hardened.
"Your brother."
Emily stared.
"Our brother?"
He nodded.
"The twin who was supposedly kidnapped."
Silence.
"But Emma is my twin."
"Emma is your twin sister."
"Then who is our brother?"
May you like
Gabriel looked at her.
"The child your father gave away."
