Chapter 38 The Wedding

Ariana’s POV

When I was sixteen, my mother asked me the kind of wedding I’d dreamed to have and then — though hidden — in love with my best friend, Jasper, I blushed, the daydreams of what would’ve been my happiest day flooding in.

With a cheeky smile, I answered, “A quiet wedding, where we’re all surrounded by family and peace with good wishes from the people of Warwick.”

Six years later, here I stood, dressed in a fully blown wedding gown, with Jasper beside me, a full prideful grin in display.

There was no smile on my face, hardly any presence of life within me but when I was asked to read my vows, I did. When I was asked if I took Jasper as my husband and all it entailed, I let the silence hang for one minute before replying - “Yes, I do.”

There was a shaky clap that came after, before it grew louder. My parents weren’t here, smiling at me with so much pride and happiness.