The moment the court ruled in Lucas’s favor, a wave of relief crashed over me. The judge's voice echoed in the courtroom, declaring that Lucas’s claim to Sterling Industries was upheld and our marriage was genuine. I looked at Lucas beside me, his eyes wide with disbelief and joy. For a moment, everything else faded away, and all I could think about was how we had made it through the storm together.
As we left the courthouse, the sunlight felt warmer, the air sweeter. It was like the world itself was celebrating with us. I held Lucas’s hand tightly, my heart racing with excitement and a deep sense of gratitude. The weight of the past months lifted from our shoulders, leaving us with a newfound freedom to dream about our future without any more legal battles.
Our families gathered at the mansion later that evening, eager to celebrate our victory. The house was filled with laughter, warmth, and an air of festivity that had been missing for far too long. Eleanor and Margaret had gone all out, decorating the grand dining room with flowers, twinkling lights, and a feast that seemed to stretch endlessly.
I stood by the window, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. Lucas joined me, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “It’s finally over,” he said softly. I could feel the tension in his body melting away, replaced by a sense of peace.
“It is,” I agreed, leaning back against him. “I can’t believe it’s all behind us.”
Lucas kissed the top of my head. “I’m so grateful for you, Mia. You stood by me through everything.”
I turned to face him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “I couldn’t have done it without you. We faced so many challenges, but we made it.”
We rejoined the celebration, where everyone was toasting to our victory. The clinking of glasses and the sound of cheerful chatter filled the room. Lucas’s sisters were at the center of the festivities, their smiles wide and their laughter infectious. It felt surreal to be surrounded by so much love and support after the tension we had endured.
After dinner, Lucas pulled me aside to a quiet corner of the garden. The night was clear, and the stars shone brightly above us. Lucas seemed nervous, his usual confidence replaced by a hint of uncertainty.
“Mia,” he began, taking my hands in his, “there’s something I want to say.”
I looked into his eyes, seeing the depth of his emotions. “What is it, Lucas?”
He took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving mine. “When we first got married, it was under circumstances that weren’t ideal. But through everything, I’ve come to realize how much you mean to me. You’ve become my everything.”
He paused, and for a moment, I held my breath. I had no idea what he was planning, but my heart was racing with anticipation.
“I want us to start a new chapter,” Lucas continued, “one that reflects how I truly feel about you. Mia, I’m asking you to marry me again, but this time, for real. I want to build our future together, free from the shadows of the past.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Opening it, he revealed a ring that sparkled in the moonlight. It was elegant, with a simple yet stunning design that spoke of timeless love.
Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the ring, then back at Lucas. “Are you sure?” I asked, my voice trembling with emotion.
Lucas nodded, his expression earnest. “I’m sure. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Mia. Will you marry me again?”
I felt a rush of joy and love wash over me. All the fears and uncertainties of the past seemed to melt away, leaving only the pure, overwhelming happiness of the moment. “Yes,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Lucas slipped the ring onto my finger, and I couldn’t help but smile through my tears. It felt like the beginning of something beautiful and real. The past had been filled with challenges, but now we were ready to embrace the future with open hearts.
We kissed under the starlit sky, our love solidified by this new promise. It was a simple yet profound gesture that spoke volumes about our commitment to each other. The world felt right again, and I was ready to face whatever came next, knowing that we had each other.
Back inside, the celebration continued, and the news of our renewed engagement spread quickly. Everyone was overjoyed, their excitement matching our own. The house was filled with warmth and happiness, and I felt a deep sense of belonging.
The next few days were a whirlwind of planning and preparation. With the legal battles behind us, Lucas and I focused on planning our real wedding. We wanted it to be a celebration of our love, a testament to the journey we had been through and the future we were building together.
Our families were involved every step of the way, offering their support and sharing in our excitement. The wedding planning brought us closer together, and it was a joy to see how much our loved ones were invested in making this day special.
As we worked through the details, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far we had come. From a business arrangement to a genuine, loving relationship, our journey had been anything but ordinary. But through it all, we had found something truly extraordinary—each other.
The wedding day arrived, and it was everything we had dreamed of. Surrounded by family and friends, we exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony that celebrated our love and commitment. The day was filled with laughter, tears of joy, and a sense of fulfillment that made everything worth it.
Lucas and I danced together, our hearts full of love and gratitude. The challenges of the past had only made us stronger, and now we were ready to embrace the future with hope and excitement.
As I looked into Lucas’s eyes, I knew that our love was something special. It was a love that had been tested and proven, a love that was worth every moment of struggle. We had built something beautiful together, and I was excited to see what the future held for us.
In that moment, surrounded by the people we loved, I felt a profound sense of happiness. The past was behind us, and the future was bright. Lucas and I were ready to face it together, knowing that our love was the foundation of everything we had built.