Chapter 9 - THE CHAPEL OF LIGHT
Six months later.
The historic chapel inside the Bellandi estate was transformed into a breathtaking garden of white roses, glowing candles, and soft violin music.
It was the day of our official wedding ceremony.
I stood before the full-length mirror in the bride's dressing room, wearing a custom lace wedding gown that drifted around my feet like sea foam. On my neck rested the black diamond necklace, and on my head was a simple, delicate veil of antique lace.
A soft knock came at the door.
Leo, Matteo, and Livia stepped inside. The boys wore sharp velvet tuxedos, while Livia wore a little white flower girl dress with a ring of rosebuds in her dark curls.
"You look like an angel, Evelyn," Matteo whispered, holding his blue blanket—which was now neatly folded and tucked into his suit pocket like a pocket square.
"You look like our mother," Leo corrected gently, stepping forward and taking my hand. "A real mother."
I knelt down in my wedding dress, hugging all three children tightly against my heart, tears of pure joy slipping down my cheeks.
"Thank you, my sweet angels," I whispered. "Thank you for choosing me."
The organ music began to echo through the stone halls of the chapel.
Enzo opened the heavy double oak doors, offering me a respectful, warm bow. "It is time, Signora Bellandi."
I walked down the long, candlelit aisle of the chapel. Sitting in the pews were hundreds of friends, allies, household staff, and reformed syndicate leaders who now lived under Dante’s peaceful, prosperous reign.
Standing at the altar, waiting for me with tears shining in his dangerous gray eyes, was Dante Bellandi.
When my hand was placed in his, Dante leaned down, whispering so only I could hear: "You walked through my gates with twenty-six dollars, Evelyn Ward. And today, you possess my entire heart."
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"And you gave me a home, Dante Bellandi," I replied softly.
Before the priest, under the soft candlelight of the ancient chapel, we spoke our vows—not of fear or power, but of eternal loyalty, unshakeable protection, and deep, everlasting love.
