Chapter 9 - The Garden Wedding
Three months later, in late August, the wedding took place at the Lake Geneva estate.
It was not a corporate spectacle. There were no press crews, no high-society photographers, and no business executives trying to make networking deals.
The estate’s sprawling lawn had been transformed into an enchanting, fairy-tale botanical garden. Thousands of white roses, jasmine, and wild lilies—hand-selected and arranged by Isabella and her shop team—covered wooden arches and lined the aisle.
Only fifty guests were invited: Isabella’s close friends, her night-school mentors, Adrien’s sister, Julian, and a few true friends who had stood by them.
Adrien stood at the altar beneath a massive arch of white roses, wearing a classic black tuxedo. Beside him as his best man was Julian, who was smiling broadly.
The music shifted into a gentle, romantic melody played by an acoustic string quartet.
Walking down the aisle first were Lily and Maya, acting as the flower girls. They wore matching white lace dresses with flower crowns in their hair, carrying small wicker baskets and tossing pink rose petals onto the green grass with tremendous pride.
And then came Isabella.
She was breathtaking. She wore an ivory silk gown with a sweetheart neckline and delicate floral lace sleeves that trailed into a long, soft train. In her hands, she carried a bouquet of simple white lilies tied with brown butcher-paper string—a tribute to the day Adrien had walked into her shop.
Adrien felt his chest tighten, tears brimming in his eyes as he watched her walk toward him.
When her hand was placed in his, Adrien leaned down and whispered, "You are the most beautiful sight in the world."
"You don't look so bad yourself, CEO," she teased softly, her eyes sparkling.
The ceremony was short, intimate, and deeply emotional.
When it came time for the vows, Adrien pulled a written paper from his pocket, but then folded it away, choosing to speak straight from his heart.
"Isabella," Adrien said, his voice echoing clearly through the quiet garden. "Six years ago, I thought my purpose was to build an empire out of steel and numbers. I was wrong. My real life didn't begin until the day I walked into a small flower shop and saw you holding our daughters. I promise to spend every day of the rest of my life proving that I am worthy of your love, protecting our family, and making sure you never have to stand in the rain alone again."
Isabella took a deep breath, her hands holding his firmly.
"Adrien," she said softly. "I loved you when we had nothing in a tiny apartment. I was angry at you when you left. But watching you become the father our daughters deserve has shown me the true heart inside you. You didn't just come back into our lives; you completed them. I give you my heart, my past, and my entire future."
The minister smiled warmly. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"
May you like
Adrien pulled Isabella into his arms, dipping her slightly as he kissed her deeply beneath the rose arch.
The small crowd erupted into thunderous applause, cheers, and happy tears. Lily and Maya ran up to wrap their arms around their parents' legs, giggling as confetti showered down over the garden.
