Chapter 10 - The Vow on the Lake
One year later.
The private garden estate on the shores of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, was decorated in thousands of fresh white roses, glowing lanterns, and cascading green vines.
A soft summer breeze drifted off the water as sixty of our closest friends, trusted syndicate allies, and family members sat along the white lawn chairs.
At the altar, standing on a raised wooden platform overlooking the blue waters of the lake, stood me.
I wore a dark navy custom tuxedo, my heart beating with pure, unadulterated joy. Beside me stood Matteo, serving as my best man, smiling proudly.
And standing right in front of me, wearing cute matching miniature navy tuxedos with white bowties, were five-year-old Mateo and Leo—our ring bearers, proudly holding two velvet ring pillows with giant, mischievous grins on their faces.
Then, the strings of the string quartet began to play.
Everyone stood up.
At the head of the stone aisle, walking slowly toward me, was Nia.
She was breathtaking beyond words. She wore a lace wedding gown with a soft flowing train that caught the summer breeze. A delicate veil covered her dark hair, held in place by a tiara of small diamonds. Her hazel eyes were locked onto mine, shining with love, happiness, and absolute triumph.
When she reached the altar, I took her soft hands into mine.
The officiant spoke, but to me, the world had narrowed down to just the woman standing before me and the two little boys standing at our feet.
When it came time for the vows, I didn't read from a card. I looked directly into her eyes and spoke from the bottom of my heart.
"Nia," I said, my voice rich and steady. "Five years ago, I lost my way in the dark. I allowed fear, suspicion, and evil men to steal the greatest gift God ever gave me. I broke your heart, and in doing so, I broke my own."
I squeezed her hands gently, tears shining in my eyes.
"But love brought us back. Truth brought us back. Today, in front of our sons, our family, and God, I promise to honor you, protect you, and cherish you every single day of my life. I promise that our home will never know silence or doubt again. You are my wife, my queen, and the mother of my blood. Forever."
Nia wiped a tear from her cheek, smiling radiantly as she spoke her vows.
"Luca," she said softly, her voice carrying across the quiet garden. "We survived the storm. We fought through the lies. And today, we built a family that nothing on this earth can ever break again. I give you my heart, my hand, and my life. Forever."
"By the power vested in me," the officiant announced with a wide smile, "I now pronounce you husband and wife again! Luca, you may kiss your bride!"
I pulled Nia into my arms, dipping her slightly as I pressed my lips to hers in a long, ecstatic kiss that brought the entire garden to their feet in thunderous applause and cheers.
Mateo and Leo jumped up and down, cheering wildly, grabbing our legs in a big group hug.
May you like
I picked up Mateo in my left arm, Leo in my right, and pulled my wife close against my side under the warm summer sun.
The lies were gone. The traitors were defeated. My sons had their father, my wife had her husband, and our empire was finally complete.
