Chapter 5: A Different Kind of Forever
The chairs were empty now.
The lanterns still glowed softly as evening settled in.
Ellie sat beside me on the steps, her small hand tucked into mine.
“Did I ruin your wedding?” she asked quietly.
My chest tightened.
I knelt in front of her.
“You saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life.”
Her eyes searched mine. “Really?”
“Really.”
She hesitated. “Are you sad?”
I smiled gently.
“I was,” I admitted. “But not anymore.”
She leaned into me, her head resting against my shoulder.
“Mom would’ve liked today,” she said softly.
I swallowed.
“I think she would’ve loved it,” I replied. “Because I kept my promise.”
Ellie smiled.
And for the first time that day…
So did I.
Because I realized something important:
A perfect wedding doesn’t make a perfect life.
But choosing the right people…
That’s what makes a beautiful ending.
May you like
And this—
This was ours.
