Chapter 8 - The Wedding We Chose
Six months later, the Santoro organization had changed.
Niko shut down the illegal operations.
He sold several businesses.
Others became legitimate.
His family resisted.
Some left.
Others stayed.
Niko chose a different future.
He opened a private security company.
Legitimate.
Licensed.
Transparent.
I finished law school.
My father resigned from politics.
He spent his time rebuilding his reputation.
For once, he wasn't trying to control my life.
He apologized often.
Sometimes I accepted.
Sometimes I didn't.
Healing took time.
Niko and I went to counseling.
It was awkward at first.
Two people accustomed to keeping secrets had to learn how to speak.
One evening, our therapist asked:
"Why are you still together?"
I looked at Niko.
He looked at me.
Then he answered.
"Because the woman I married by obligation became the woman I chose freely."
My heart softened.
I said:
"Because the man I feared became the man I trust."
That was enough.
One year after our wedding, Niko took me to the same cathedral.
I thought we were attending a charity event.
Instead, the doors opened.
Flowers lined the aisle.
Our families sat inside.
Stella was crying before I even reached the altar.
I looked at Niko.
He wasn't wearing the expression of the feared Santoro heir.
He looked nervous.
Actually nervous.
When I reached him, he smiled.
"I didn't arrange this."
I laughed.
"You're lying."
"I arranged the flowers."
"That counts."
He took my hands.
"This isn't another wedding."
"I know."
"It's a choice."
My eyes filled with tears.
He spoke quietly.
"The first time I took your hand, someone else decided our future."
He squeezed my fingers.
"This time, no one did."
The priest asked if I chose him.
I looked at Niko.
"Yes."
His eyes became wet.
Then I asked him.
"Do you choose me?"
He smiled.
"Every day."
We kissed.
The applause rose around us.
And for the first time, I didn't feel like Mrs. Santoro because of a contract.
I felt like his wife.
That night, we returned to the penthouse.
The same bedroom.
The same windows.
But everything felt different.
There were no rules written by our fathers.
No threats.
No bargains.
Only us.
Niko stood by the window.
"You know what I remember about our wedding night?"
I smiled.
"You sleeping on the couch?"
"Yes."
"I thought you were angry."
"I was terrified."
I laughed.
"You?"
"You're the only person who ever made me nervous."
I walked toward him.
"Why?"
"Because you looked at me like I was a monster."
"You were scary."
"And now?"
I smiled.
"Still scary."
He laughed.
I leaned against him.
His arms came around me.
Safe.
Warm.
Chosen.
Then he whispered:
"I love you."
I closed my eyes.
May you like
"I love you too."
And this time, there was no fear behind the words.
