"I do. And I promise to keep challenging you when you try to hide behind your money instead of dealing with feelings."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Maxim's kiss is soft, sweet, and full of promises for our future. When we break apart, our small crowd erupts in cheers. Ranger barks his approval. Ghost remains unimpressed but doesn't leave, which counts as enthusiasm from him.
"How does it feel to be Mrs. Chen?" Maxim asks as we walk back down the aisle together.
"Like the best wrong number I ever received."
"Best accident of my life."
The reception is held on the cabin's back deck, with Elena's husband manning a grill and Maya documenting everything with her camera. As the sun sets behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I look around at this life we've built together and feel overwhelming gratitude.
"Happy?" Maxim asks, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Completely." I lean back against his chest. "Though I think Ghost is judging our music choices."
"Ghost judges everything. It's his job." He presses a kiss to my temple. "Chantay?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you. Mrs. Chen."
"I love you too, Mr. Chen."
"Ready for our honeymoon in that cabin in Montana? Just us, the mountains, and absolutely no cell service for a week?"
"I thought you said no cell service would make me crazy."
"I changed my mind. I want you all to myself for seven whole days."
"What about Ghost and Ranger?"
"Elena's watching them. Ranger will probably destroy her couch, and Ghost will judge her housekeeping skills, but they'll survive."
"In that case, I'm absolutely ready."
As our guests begin to wind down and head to their hotel in town, Maya pulls me aside for one last sister moment.
"So," she says, "any regrets about your mountain man billionaire?"
"None. Except maybe that it took us so long to figure out how to be honest with each other."
"And the money thing? That doesn't feel weird?"
"Sometimes. But Maxim's teaching me that money is just a tool. What matters is what you do with it." I gesture toward the reception, where Elena is telling a story that has everyone laughing. "He's funding three new wildlife rehabilitation centers. I'm launching a nonprofit focused on conservation marketing. We're building something together that's bigger than either of us could create alone."
"That's very mature and inspiring. I hate you both."
"No, you don't."
"No, I don't. But I'm going to miss having you closer."
"You'll visit. I'll visit. And Maya?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For pushing me to take chances, for supporting my crazy decisions, for being the best sister and maid of honor a girl could ask for."
