My eyes landed on the gorgeous calligraphy of Jethro's writing. The words were so similar to the other pledge I’d signed but at the same time so different.
Jethro Hawk, firstborn son of Bryan Hawk, and Nila Weaver, firstborn daughter of Emma Weaver, hereby solemnly swear this is a law-binding and incontestable contract.
Nila Weaver revokes all ownership of her free will, thoughts, and body and grants them into the sole custody of Jethro Hawk. In exchange, Jethro Hawk renounces his free will, thoughts, and body and grants them entirely to Nila Weaver to do as she pleases.
The previous incontestable document named the Debt Inheritance is void now and forever. No debt nor family decree will ever befall these two houses. This new agreement brings two enemies into one family where bygones are bygones and the future is bright for all.
Both Nila Weaver and Jethro Hawk promise neither circumstance, nor change of heart will alter this vow.
In sickness and in health.
Two houses.
Two people.
One contract.
One lifetime marriage and commitment.
I looked up.
My heart showered with countless droplets of adoration.
I kissed my future husband. “How is it possible that you keep making me love you more each day?”
His face shattered into tenderness.
Before he could reply, I scrawled my name and accepted everything—the past, the present, the future. The triumphs and tragedies. The deaths of good people. The demise of bad. The pain that’d ruled us for so long. And thetreachery that allowed madness to rule.
But not anymore.
This was our new chapter.
Our new story.
And we would write every sentence together.
Nila Weaver.
Jethro Hawk.
Two houses.
One future...
...
One family.
