Chapter 9 - THE WEDDING DAY
Saturday morning arrived with bright, glorious sunlight pouring across the estate grounds.
The atmosphere in the mansion was joyful and serene. Elena and her bridesmaids arrived at the estate early that morning, having been invited by Ethan to use the grand guest wing to prepare for the ceremony.
Elena stood in her sweeping white wedding gown, staring around the opulent dressing room in sheer disbelief.
“Rachel,” Elena gasped, hugging me tightly. “This place is like a fairy tale! How did you find him? He’s incredible!”
I smiled, adjusting the emerald-green maid-of-honor dress that Ethan had picked out for me. “He found us, Elena. On a red-eye flight from L.A.”
At 1:30 PM, a fleet of luxury sedans escorted us to St. Patrick’s Church in downtown Chicago.
The ceremony was breathtaking. Thomas and Elena exchanged vows before a church filled with smiling friends and family. From my spot beside the altar, I looked out into the pews.
Sitting in the very first row—beside Thomas’s wide-eyed, reverent family—sat Ethan Callahan.
He wore a dark three-piece suit, looking like a king observing his court. When my eyes met his, he offered a subtle, devastatingly handsome nod of approval that made my stomach flutter with butterflies.
In his lap, wrapped in a matching green blanket, sat Sophie. She was quietly chewing on a silver teething ring Ethan had bought for her, entirely content in his arms.
When the ceremony concluded and the guests poured out onto the steps of the church, Ethan walked over to me, carrying Sophie.
“She was an absolute angel throughout the vows,” Ethan murmured, handing my daughter back to me.
“Thank you, Ethan,” I said softly, looking at him with immense gratitude. “For everything. You made my sister’s dream come true.”
“I want to make all your dreams come true, Rachel,” he replied, his voice serious and sincere.
Before I could answer, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. Vance stepped out, opening the door for us.
“The reception at the lakefront ballroom is prepared, boss,” Vance reported. “All guests have arrived.”
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Ethan offered me his arm once more. “Shall we, Miss Morales?”
I slipped my arm through his, feeling complete, protected, and deeply, irrevocably in love.
