“No.” He shakes his head. “Let me say it. You deserve that. More than that.” His palm settles over my cheek, warm and grounding. “You’re doing all of this for Anna. You’re carrying so much weight alone, and I hate that this wedding has to be part of that burden.” He leans in, lowering his forehead to mine. “But I promise you… I will make it right.”
His vow sinks into me, slow and deep and impossibly steady.
Not a grand declaration.
Not poetry.
Just a vow from a husband to his wife. And it hits harder than anything else could have.
“I know this isn’t what you imagined,” he whispers. “But I’m here. I’m all in. And I’m not going anywhere.”
I close my eyes—just for a second—letting the warmth of him anchor me. Letting the sound of his voice soften the ache in my chest.
“I’m scared,” I admit quietly.
“So am I.”
I pull back just enough to look up at him. “Really?”
He laughs under his breath, low and rough. “Terrified.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “But you don’t look terrified.”
“That’s because I’m very good at pretending I know what I’m doing.”
My laugh comes out wobbly, but real.
He squeezes my hand. “Come with me,” he says softly.
He leads me to the chapel doorway. The wood smells like pine and time. The morning sun filters through the stained-glass window, painting the aisle in soft gold and rose. The chapel is empty except for the officiant waiting patiently at the front and a few candles flickering gently along the walls.
It’s simple.
Quiet.
Unexpectedly beautiful.
My breath shivers out as Caden turns to me, his eyes dark and achingly warm. “Walk with me?” he asks.
Not let me walk you.
Not let me lead you down the aisle.
Walk with me.
Together.
I nod, slipping my hand into his. His fingers wrap around mine like he’s been waiting forever to hold them.
We step forward.
Side by side.
Toward the little altar and the life we’ve agreed to build, even if it started as pretend. Even if everything could fall apart.
Right now, in this quiet mountain chapel, with my hand in his…
It feels real.
