Chapter 44 - Chapter 44

The morning of Ethan and Sophie's wedding dawned clear and bright, as if the universe itself had decided to bless the union of the lovebirds. However, the chaos brewing in the D'Angelo estate was anything but serene.

In the groom's suite, Ethan adjusted his custom-tailored tuxedo in the mirror. The rich navy fabric hugged his frame perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and sharp jawline. He looked every bit the dashing groom—calm, collected, and utterly debonair. But his insides were a different story.

"Relax, man," Chuck said, clapping him on the back. Ethan's best man, dressed sharply in a charcoal suit, was grinning from ear to ear. "You look like you're about to face a firing squad, not get married to the woman of your dreams."

Ethan shot him a glare. "Thanks for the pep talk, Chuck."

Chuck chuckled. "Hey, I'm just here to make sure you don't bolt out the back door."

"Not helping."

---

The Bride's Radiance

Meanwhile, in the bridal suite, Sophie stood in front of the full-length mirror, her breath catching as she took in her reflection. Her dress was a masterpiece—delicate lace hugged her curves, and the soft chiffon skirt flowed gracefully to the floor. The sweetheart neckline showed just enough to be elegant yet alluring, and the long, sheer sleeves gave her a timeless look.

"Ethan's going to lose his mind when he sees you," Zoe said, smirking as she helped adjust Sophie's veil.

Sophie blushed. "You think it's too much?"

Zoe snorted. "Are you kidding? That man is already obsessed with you. This dress is just the cherry on top."

Grandma Vivian nodded approvingly. "If he dares to look at anything else in that church, he'll have me to answer to."

---

The Ceremony Begins

As the guests filled the grand cathedral, the soft hum of conversation filled the air. The decorations were exquisite—white roses and lilies adorned every corner, and candles flickered softly along the aisle.

Ethan stood at the altar, his heart pounding as the music swelled. And then, the doors opened.

Sophie appeared, her beauty stealing the breath of everyone in the room. Ethan's jaw tightened, his eyes blazing with pride and love.

But then he noticed the way the male guests craned their necks to get a better look at Sophie. His jaw clenched harder.

Chuck leaned over. "Don't look so murderous, man. You'll scare the photographer."

"Don't test me," Ethan muttered, his gaze fixed on Sophie.

---

An Unwelcome Guest

Just as the priest began the ceremony, a sharp voice interrupted.

"Wait!"

All heads turned to see Isabella striding down the aisle, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She was dressed to kill in a scarlet gown that screamed drama, her eyes blazing with determination.

"Oh, no," Chuck muttered, already preparing to intercept her.

"Ethan!" Isabella called, her voice echoing through the cathedral. "You can't do this!"

Ethan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Sophie, meanwhile, stood frozen, her face a mixture of confusion and annoyance.

"Isabella," Ethan said, his tone icy. "This is neither the time nor the place."

"But Ethan," she pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I love you. I can't let you marry her!"

The room erupted in whispers.

---

Chaos and Calm

Chuck sprang into action, stepping between Isabella and the couple. "Alright, lady, time to take this outside."

"You don't understand!" Isabella protested. "We were meant to be together!"

Ethan took Sophie's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Ignore her," he murmured. "She doesn't matter."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "She seems to think she does."

"Trust me," Ethan said, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "You're the only one I care about."

Chuck managed to escort Isabella out, though not without some colorful language exchanged along the way.

---

Vows and Victory

Once the disruption was dealt with, the ceremony resumed. Ethan's voice was steady as he recited his vows, but his eyes betrayed the depth of his emotions.

"I promise to stand by you, to support you, and to love you more with each passing day," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You're my heart, Sophie, my everything."

Tears sparkled in Sophie's eyes as she responded, her voice trembling. "You've shown me what true love is, Ethan. I promise to cherish you, to laugh with you, and to face everything life throws at us—together."

When the priest finally pronounced them husband and wife, Ethan didn't wait. He pulled Sophie into his arms and kissed her with a passion that left the guests cheering.

---

The Reception

The reception was a lively affair, filled with laughter, music, and plenty of teasing. Chuck gave a speech that had everyone in stitches, recounting his first disastrous encounter with Ethan on the plane.

"And now look at us," Chuck said, raising his glass. "Who would've thought I'd be standing here as your best man? Life's funny like that."

Ethan shook his head, laughing. "You're never letting me live that flight down, are you?"

"Never," Chuck said, grinning.

---

A Moment Alone

As the night wound down, Ethan and Sophie stole a moment away from the crowd.

"You survived," Sophie teased, resting her head against his chest.

"Barely," he replied, wrapping his arms around her. "You know, you're officially stuck with me now."

"Good," she said, smiling up at him. "Because there's no one else I'd rather be stuck with."

Ethan kissed her again, the world fading away until it was just the two of them, lost in their own little bubble of happiness.

Despite the chaos, the interruptions, and the drama, their wedding was perfect—just like their love.