And somehow, that felt better than anything else ever could have.
It made me realize something I hadn’t fully put into words before.Every scar I carried—every moment that broke me, every piece I had to pick back up—none of it was wasted.
Not if it led me here.
Not if it led me back to myself.
For so long, I built my life around expectations.Around proving something.Around being what people needed me to be instead of asking what I needed for myself.
And somewhere along the way, I lost that voice.
Or maybe I just stopped listening to it.
But now, that voice was clear, steady, and unapologetic.My happiness wasn’t something to negotiate anymore—not for the likes of them or anyone else.I had walked through every messy, painful part of my past just to get here, and no matter the highs or lows, I would choose myself every single time.
So yeah, I was more than okay.
Smiling at her, I nodded and said, “Yeah, I'm okay.Trust me, their wedding drama doesn't bother me anymore.I wasn't going, anyway.”
She studied me for a moment before she shot me a soft, knowing smile.
“Well, good,” she said, reaching over to pat my hand gently.“Everything worked out the way it was meant to.”
My gaze dropped briefly to her hand over mine.
“And I’m happy you found your happiness,” she added.
Something in my chest warmed at that, and before I could respond, she glanced past me—straight at Jaxon.
“Though,” she added with a teasing tilt of her head, “it ain't hard to be happy with a handsome one like him.”
Jaxon didn’t even hesitate.“Itriedtelling her what an absolute catch I am, but she just doesn’t want to hear it.”
I scoffed, elbowing him lightly.“Mind your business.”
Chuckling, he turned my head in his direction and leaned down to press a quick kiss on my lips.
“You are my business,” he murmured.
My breath hitched slightly and my stomach fluttered.When am I ever going to get used to comments like that?I hummed, shifting closer to him and tucking into his side as his arm tightened just a fraction around me.
Words couldn't describe how good that felt.
And when I glanced around the room, I realized the family I was always looking for was right here with me.
We look out for our own.
You're one of us.
We're family.
Nerissa’s words rang through my head, giving me a comfort I never knew with my own family.
Well, everyone except the great Mama V,I thought as I looked at her, watching her smile at the TV.
This was what home felt like, and I couldn't have imagined being anywhere else.
The show played on, laughter and commentary weaving in and out of the room, time slipping by without me noticing.
