Chapter 413
Six months later, Haven estate buzzed with activity under a perfect blue sky. The scent of fresh roses and lilies hung in the air as gardeners scurried about, arranging bouquets and arch decorations. In the kitchen, the head chef called out
hstructions while waitstaff polished crystal glasses. Everyone moved in a choreographed dance of pre–wedding chaos, transforming the already beautiful grounds into something magical.
In the master bedroom, Irene stood frozen before the full–length mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. Her wedding dress hugged her curves perfectly–ivory satin that caught the light with each breath. She’d chosen something understated, no princess poof or elaborate train, just clean lines and intricate beadwork that sparkled in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows.
“Mommy, you look like a princess!” a small voice gasped from the doorway.
Irene turned to find Lily with her mouth forming a perfect O, eyes wide with wonder. Her flower girl dress–pale blue with delicate lace–swished around her ankles as she bounced on her toes, the Haven family pendant catching the light at her
throat.
“Thanks, sweetie,” Irene laughed, crouching down with open arms. “But look at you–stealing the show already.”
Lily rushed into her embrace, then pulled back to twirl, her dress billowing out. “Alex says everyone’s getting in–patient‘ in the garden,” she reported, carefully pronouncing the big word.
Irene tapped her daughter’s nose. “Tell your brother I’ll be right down. Just need one more minute.
After Lily scampered off, Irene turned back to the mirror, taking a deep breath. Six years ago, she’d been alone and terrified, clutching three newborns while her world crumbled around her. Now here she stood, about to walk toward a future she couldn’t have imagined back then. She smoothed her hands over the dress one last time, a small smile playing
on her lips.
A soft knock interrupted her reflection.
“Come in,” she called, expecting Katherine or Emily with some last–minute wedding emergency.
The door creaked open, and Rose appeared, freezing mid–step when she saw Irene. Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Irene,” she breathed. “You’re… breathtaking.”
“Thank you,” Irene replied, her voice soft but still carrying that slight edge they both recognized.
Rose hovered awkwardly by the door, fingers twisting the pearl bracelet on her wrist. “I know this might not be welcome, but…” she inhaled sharply, “John and I were wondering if–if you’d allow us to walk you down the aisle.” She quickly added, “Of course, Joseph would be more fitting, or you could walk alone, which would be perfectly”
“I’d like that,” Irene cut in, the words surprising her as much as her mother. “Actually, I’d really like that.”
Rose blinked rapidly, tears threatening to spill. “You would?”
Irene studied her mother’s face–the hope there, the fear of rejection. The past months had been a slow defrosting between them. No grand gestures or dramatic apologies, just consistent small efforts. Coffee once a week. Genuine interest in the children. Respect for boundaries.
“Turns out,” Irene said with a small, genuine smile, “family is messy and complicated, but worth fighting for. My kids
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taught me that.”
Rose stepped forward, hesitantly opening her arms. When Irene nodded, she embraced her daughter gently, careful not to wrinkle the dress. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For this chance we never deserved.”
“Irene pulled back, wiping an unexpected tear from her cheek. “Well,” she said with a shaky laugh, ‘better not keep Adam waiting. He might think I’ve bolted.”
Downstairs, the Haven garden had transformed into something from a fairytale. White chairs lined an aisle carpeted with rose petals, leading to an arch woven from flowers and tiny lights that sparkled even in daylight. Every seat was filled- Sterling relatives adjusting their formal wear, Haven business associates nodding politely, colleagues from the institute chatting excitedly.
At the end of the aisle stood Adam, his tailored suit accentuating shoulders that no longer carried the weight of secrets. Watching him fidget slightly with his cufflinks, it was hard to believe this was the same man who had once hidden behind cold walls and a wheelchair.
Beside him, the triplets were a comedy in miniature formal wear. Alex stood ramrod straight, taking his role as ring–bearer with grave seriousness. Lucas kept tugging at his tie like it was strangling him, while Lily bounced on her toes, clearly struggling to contain her excitement. Joseph stood nearby as best man, occasionally placing a calming hand on Lucas’s shoulder or giving Lily a wink that settled her for approximately thirty seconds.
The string quartet’s first notes silenced the crowd. All heads turned toward the house as Lily appeared at the garden entrance, taking her flower girl duties with theatrical seriousness. She scattered petals with the precision of a scientist, occasionally stopping to make sure her path was adequately covered before proceeding.
Then the music shifted, and everyone rose.
Irene appeared between Rose and John, sunlight catching her dress and creating an almost ethereal glow around her. A collective soft gasp rippled through the gathering. But Irene didn’t notice–her eyes had locked with Adam’s across the garden.
Adam’s face transformed. The normally composed businessman who negotiated million–dollar deals without blinking suddenly looked utterly stunned, like someone who’d forgotten how to breathe. His eyes widened, lips parting slightly, and for a moment, he seemed to sway on his feet.
the With each step down the aisle, memories flashed through Irene’s mind–the night she’d fled her family in disgrace, lonely hospital room where she’d given birth, the countless times she’d nearly broken under the weight of raising three children alone. Then the more recent memories–finding Adam again, their children’s scheming, learning to trust, to forgive, to love.
When she reached Adam, he reached for her hand, a slight tremor betraying his composure. “You’re breathtaking,” he whispered, audible only to her.
The ceremony flowed naturally, with traditional elements interwoven with their personal touches. But the moment everyone waited for came when they exchanged their vows.
