Happiness looked different when it was real. There was no urgency, no need to prove anything to anyone. It was quiet, steady, something that settled deep in my bones. And for the first time in my life, I felt it.”
Cole and I had started planning our wedding immediately after the proposal, and while it should have been overwhelming, it wasn’t. Because he was there–every step of the way.
“Do we really need this many flowers?” Cole asked, eyeing the floral arrangements laid out on the long table in front of us.
I crossed my arms. “Yes.”
He sighed dramatically. “I don’t even think we have enough guests to appreciate all of this.“>
I gave him a pointed look. “This is our wedding, Cole. We’re going all out.“}
A slow smirk tugged at his lips. “Anything you want, sweetheart.“@
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the smile that broke out on my face.
My mother, who had been flipping through a wedding catalog beside me, chuckled. “You’ve got yourself a good one, Evelyne.”
I glanced at Cole, who was now pretending to be deeply invested in choosing between ivory and champagne–colored napkins.”
Ulaughed softly. “Yeah, I do.“”
The days flew by in a blur of excitement and endless decisions. There were cake tastings, venue inspections, dress fittings. I had thought Cole would leave most of the planning to me, but I was wrong. He was involved in everything.”
“What about this one?” he asked, holding up a wedding invitation sample.
I raised a brow. “You really care about the invitation design?“}
Cole grinned. “Of course. I need to make sure everyone knows I finally won.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Won what?“}
“You,” he said simply, pressing a kiss to my temple.}
My mother pretended to gag. “You two are disgustingly in love.“>
I only smiled. Because she was right. This love was easy, effortless. And every day, I realized more and more that I had made the right choice. I wasn’t just planning a wedding. I was planning the rest of my life–with a man who chose me every single time.
But he didn’t just help with the wedding plans–he made every single moment special.}
One afternoon, after a long day of dress fittings, I walked into our home to find the entire living room filled with candles and soft music playing in the background.”
I blinked. “Cole?”
He appeared from the kitchen, holding a tray with two glasses of wine and my favorite pasta. “Surprise.“}
I let out a breathless laugh. “What’s all this?”
“You’ve been running around all day.” He shrugged casually, setting the tray down before pulling me into his arms. “Thought you deserved a break.”
I melted into his embrace, resting my forehead against his chest. “You’re going to spoil me.”
“That’s the plan,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my hair.
Another day, when I was stressed about finalizing the guest list, I opened my laptop only to find a new folder labeled For My Bride.
Curious, I clicked it.”
Inside were pictures of Cole and me–some from our childhood, some from our recent moments together. And a short video of him smiling at the camera.
“Evelyne,” he said, his voice warm. “I know planning a wedding is stressful, but I just want you to remember why we’re doing this. Not for the perfect flowers or the fancy invitations–but because I love you. And I can’t wait to spend forever with you.“”
I pressed a hand to my mouth, blinking back tears.
Cole had a way of making me feel like the most important person in the world. And every day, he reminded me that I had finally found the love I deserved.
7350
-B
The waves crashed softly against the shore, the salty breeze filling the air as Julienne sat on the wooden porch of her small beach house.
John was playing in the sand, his laughter echoing under the golden sunset. In her arms, her newborn baby stirred, his tiny fingers curling against her skin.}
This was her world now. She had left everything behind after what happened her family, the scandal, the judgmental
stares.
She had needed space. She had needed peace. But peace didn’t erase regret.”
Her phone vibrated beside her, and for a moment, she hesitated before picking it up.
A notification.
“Evelyne and Cole Announce Their Engagement.“N
Her stomach twisted as she clicked on the article. The screen filled with photos–Evelyne and Cole smiling, Evelyne showing off the engagement ring, their happiness shining through every image./
Julienne exhaled, something bitter crawling up her throat. Jealousy.”
Not because she wanted Cole. Not because she wanted the life Evelyne had now. But because Evelyne had won.
Again. And for once, Julienne knew it wasn’t because of fate or favoritism.
It was her fault.
She had ruined everything. Their sisterhood. Their bond.
She had always loved Evelyne–always looked up to her. But she had also been jealous. And that jealousy had destroyed them.”
Tears stung her eyes as she watched the video of Evelyne talking about the wedding.
Julienne swallowed hard before turning off the screen. Maybe not now. Maybe not anytime soon.”
But one day- She hoped Evelyne would forgive her.
She knew she didn’t deserve it.
But she still wished for it anyway.
