The wedding took place in the most magnificent church imaginable—a grand cathedral, its towering white facade glowing under the morning sun. Inside, the high-arched ceilings stretched endlessly, adorned with intricate gold accents and crystal chandeliers that cast a divine glow upon the pews below. Stained glass windows bathed the sanctuary in a spectrum of soft colors, their depictions of faith and devotion adding to the solemnity of the moment.
As the ceremony began, the grand pipe organ played a hauntingly beautiful solo, its deep, resonant tones filling the vast space with a melody so solemn it felt almost sacred. The air was thick with emotion, and as Julian and Sophia stood before the altar, gazing into each other's eyes, the weight of their promises settled over them. A small tear slipped down Sophia’s cheek, mirrored by the rare shimmer of moisture in Julian’s eyes. The sacred vows passed between them, words of love and devotion spoken with voices that trembled yet remained firm with conviction. The wedding bands, placed reverently atop the Bible, gleamed under the cathedral lights as they were exchanged—a symbol of eternity, unbreakable and unwavering.
After a brief but beautifully captured video shoot inside and outside the cathedral, the celebration moved to the reception. The venue was nothing short of breathtaking—an architectural masterpiece blending elegance with cutting-edge modernity. Towering glass walls provided a panoramic view of the night-lit city, while cascading chandeliers illuminated the opulent ballroom. The ceiling was embedded with soft, dynamic LED displays, shifting between constellations and golden hues, creating an ethereal ambiance. The tables were adorned with silk linens, crystal centerpieces, and floral arrangements so lush they seemed almost unreal.
As the guests settled, the first video began playing. A hush fell over the crowd as the screen flickered to life, revealing a moment captured in time—Sophia’s first arrival at the hotel. Her expression of surprise, the emotions flashing across her face as she read the name ‘The Sophia Imperial,’ played out before everyone’s eyes. Then, the proposal—Julian down on one knee, Sophia’s tears, the overwhelming joy that followed. And finally, the sacred exchange of vows within the church, a testament to their journey and enduring love.
Among the guests, emotions ran high. Their old classmates cheered and clapped, reliving memories from their youth. Camille, however, sat frozen, her fingers curled tightly around the stem of her wine glass. She barely whispered the words to herself, “I ruined it… It was supposed to be me.” Her voice was drowned out by the murmur of the enchanted crowd.
Serena and Elias, still in awe, exchanged glances. The sheer magnitude of the event, the sheer grandness of the hotel, left them speechless. Every guest was mesmerized, their eyes reflecting the dazzling lights of the ballroom. Whispers of admiration rippled through the hall, some stunned by the elegance, others captivated by the love story that unfolded before them.
Then, Julian stood, commanding the room without effort. Taking the microphone, he turned toward the crowd, then back to Sophia. His expression was softer than ever before, yet his voice was bold and unwavering.
“I was the one being pursued,” he began, his lips curving into a teasing smile. A wave of chuckles spread across the audience. “This is supposed to be the bride’s speech, isn’t it? But let me tell you something…”
His eyes never left Sophia’s. “Being pursued isn’t a weakness. It doesn’t mean you love less or that you hold less power in love. If anything, it’s the opposite. The one being pursued gets to feel the depth of someone’s devotion, to witness firsthand how much they are willing to fight for you. And Sophia…” His voice softened, his gaze burning with intensity. “From the very beginning, you made me feel truly, deeply loved.”
The room was silent, every guest hanging onto his every word.
“And because of that,” he continued, “I loved you even more in return. I wanted to prove my love, not just with words, but with actions. That’s why I built this.” He gestured around the room, his hand sweeping across the opulent hall. “Because this was the very place where you first pursued me. And I wanted to make sure that for the rest of our lives, you’d never have to chase after me again. Because I will always be right here, standing beside you.”
At first, there was silence—a moment of raw emotion too profound for immediate response. Then, as if a wave had crashed over them, the audience erupted into applause. A thunderous, heartfelt ovation that carried with it admiration, joy, and overwhelming emotion.
Sophia could do nothing but stare at him, her heart swelling with so much love it felt impossible to contain. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she had made the right choice. That Julian was, and always would be, her greatest love.
Later that night, in Room 1703, Julian effortlessly carried Sophia in his arms, his grip firm yet gentle. She let out a breathless laugh, her fingers toying with the collar of his shirt.
“Freaking warhorse,” she teased, her voice a playful whisper. “Go easy on me, will you?”
Julian's lips curved into a knowing smile, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. Oh, he had prepared for this moment—meticulously. He had counted the days, done his research, and made sure he knew exactly how to be gentle with his wife.
By the time morning came, Sophia was still deep in sleep, her breaths soft and even against the pillow. Julian watched her for a moment, taking in the peaceful expression on her face before slipping out of bed.
He ordered breakfast for her, making sure it was set up neatly on the table before grabbing a pen and leaving a note beside the tray. His handwriting was smooth, deliberate—just like him.
"Take your time, my love. Sleep all you want—your husband still needs to jog. But be warned, if you miss me too much, I might just run right back into your arms."
Satisfied, Julian left the room and stepped outside into the cool morning air.
As he jogged through the familiar paths of the hotel grounds, his mind drifted back to the moment he first received the watch—the very thing that had led him here, to this second chance.
But then—
A sudden flicker caught his eye.
The watch on his wrist suddenly lit up. The screen blinked once. Then twice.
Julian slowed his pace, his heartbeat quickening for an entirely different reason now.
Something was happening.