Chapter 230
The estate bloomed that morning with a quiet sort of magic.M
Beneath a canopy of wisteria and warm sunbeams, guests whispered in awe, gazes drawn to the path of white petals that cut through the soft green grass.
The air was thick with the scent of jasmine, roses, and lavender–the flowers Samantha once feared would never bloom again now cradled her story with pride.
At the center of it all stood Inigo, tall and composed, in an ivory suit that clung to his frame like a memory made real. His eyes sparkled as they stayed locked on the entrance, waiting–no, aching–for the moment he would see her.
Soft music played. Then silence fell. And there she was.
Samantha emerged from the arched doorway of the old stone estate alone, her hand clutching a small bouquet, her hair pinned in loose waves.
She wore a gown simple and elegant–off–shoulder silk that rippled as she walked. No veil. No pretense. Just her.”
Her mother, Sasha, watched from the first row with tears in her eyes. They had agreed on this–Samantha walking herself down the aisle. A symbol of who she had become: not a girl rescued by anyone, but a woman who had saved herself.”
Each step echoed the years she had endured.
Each breath reminded her that she was alive.
And free.
When she reached the altar, Inigo reached out, taking her trembling hand into his warm one. They didn’t speak yet. They just stared at each other for a long, long moment–until the officiant’s voice gently pulled them into the moment. “Dearly beloved…”
From a distance, behind a tree near the edge of the estate, Jackson watched.”
He wasn’t meant to be there. He wasn’t invited. But he couldn’t stop himself.
He watched the woman he once called his wife step into forever with someone else. There was no tragedy in her eyes anymore. No longing. No waiting. Just happiness–clear and unbroken.
He stood motionless, hidden, eyes fixed as Samantha said, “I do.”
He heard her laughter as she and Inigo exchanged rings. Saw the soft kiss they shared beneath the arch as the guests clapped and threw petals into the air. Saw Sasha rise, clutching her chest and crying tears of joy.”
And he smiled. It wasn’t a bitter smile. Not this time. It was the kind of smile that came with surrender. She was never his to
keep.”
Back in the city, Candice stared at the wall. She had stopped screaming two days ago. Her fingernails were bandaged where she had tried to claw her way out. Her face, once pristine and painted, was now faded and blank.
In her mind, she still saw fire. Still heard Samantha’s voice. She mumbled to herself sometimes, fragments of accusations and laughter echoing in her ears.\
“I was supposed to be the wife… he was mine…“}
Jackson had visited her once–just once after she was officially committed.
He had stood behind the thick glass, looking at the woman he once thought he could mold. But all he saw now was the madness he had allowed to grow. A ghost in human skin.
“You hurt her,” he had whispered.”
Candice had stared at him. “I did it for you.”
He had shaken his head. “You don’t even know what love is.“”
Then he signed the final papers and left her in the care of doctors, never to visit again.”
That chapter was over.
Weeks passed. At a quiet lakefront home outside the city, Jackson finally settled into something that resembled peace.M
Nathan splashed in the shallow waters nearby, his laughter ringing into the open air like wind chimes. He wore his favorite red swim shorts and was holding a stick like a sword, fighting off imaginary dragons.
Jackson sat on a wooden chair near the dock, barefoot, sleeves rolled up, a fishing rod in his hands.
“Dad!” Nathan called, grinning. “I killed the dragon!”
Jackson smiled. “Good. Now come slay this sandwich I made.“\
Nathan ran back, soaking and proud, and crashed into his lap. Jackson wrapped an arm around him and offered the sandwich.
“You’re getting stronger,” he said.
Nathan nodded mouth full “Because you taught me.”
11:03 AM .
Nathan nodded, mouth full. “Because you taught me.“}
Jackson watched the boy quietly for a while, his mind drifting to a time not long ago when everything was chaos. Pain. Obsession. Rage.”
He had nearly destroyed himself. Destroyed the people he loved. But now?
Now he had this. Just him and his son.
He remembered moments–ones Samantha probably had forgotten, or tried to. Times when she took care of him while he was sick. When he had high fever and she stayed up all night, dabbing his forehead with cold towels. She would sing, not realizing it, humming lullabies she never finished.\
“I never appreciated her,” he whispered to himself.”
Nathan looked up. “Who?“}
Jackson blinked. “No one. Just an old ghost.”
“Ghosts are scary.“}
“Not this one,” he said. “This one reminds me of what not to become.”
He looked out at the lake, sunlight shimmering on the water, and let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
He would never have Samantha again.”
But he had Nathan.}
And for the first time in years, he didn’t feel empty.
Back at the estate, under a starry sky, Samantha and Inigo danced barefoot on the lawn, champagne in one hand, shoes forgotten somewhere on the porch.
Their guests had left.
It was just them now.
“You did it,” Inigo whispered, pulling her closer.
“We did it,” she corrected.\
He kissed her nose. “Your mom’s been crying all night.”
“She’s just glad I didn’t faint this time.“}
They both laughed.”
“I love you, Samantha,” he said, brushing hair behind her ear.
She leaned into his chest. “I know. And I love you too. More than I ever thought I could again.”
