"You look so beautiful, so... divine," Monica said, her voice filled with emotions.


    Ivy turned to her, smiling. "Thank you, Monica," she smiled and turned back to her reflection.


    She did look divine in her wedding dress that Francis Laurent had delivered himself, and indeed, the gown shimmered in the light just as she had guessed.


    But despite how stunning she looked, she felt anxiety eating up her insides. She was nervous, abination of many things.


    219


    Joe''s words still lingered fromst night, and as much as she tried to shove it away, she couldn''t shake the threat they carried. Mason was suing her again, and she hadn''t told Ss yet.


    Her thoughts wandered to Ss, and dread intensified in her chest as she realized she still didn''t know much about him.


    Debbie''s conversation had kept her awake all night. Even now, she couldn''t shake off the jealousy and worry that Ss had slept with his


    assistant.


    Her only regret was misjudging Aaliyah and she could only hope she could make it right.


    "it''s going to be alright," Monica said softly, breaking her thoughts. "You''ll get through this."


    Ivy nodded gratefully at her. "Thank you."


    "Before I forget," Monica said dashing to the bed, "we got you something." She revealed a small box wrapped with colorful paper. "Happy wedding day."


    "Oh," Ivy murmured, moved by the gesture. "Thank you so much."


    "It''s the least we could do," Monica beamed. "I''ll keep it here for you to openter." She ced the box gently on the table.


    "Thank you," Ivy repeated, tears welling up in her eyes.


    "You''re wee," Monicamented just as there was a knock on the door. "That must be your husband," she added, moving to open


    1. it.


    Ivy felt her stomach knot, She wasn''t ready to face Ss yet-not with all her emotions all over the ce.


    But when Monica opened the door, it wasn''t Ss who walked in. It was her Aunt May, and she was holding a gift.


    "Aunt May!" Ivy eximed, running into her arms.


    "Wow!" May teased as she returned the hug.


    The moment May''s hand reached her back, the tears Ivy had been holding back


    fell. She wept silently in her aunt''s arms, controlled by her emotions.


    When she eventually lifted her head, she realized Monica had left the room.


    "Tsk, you''ve ruined your makeup," May said with a yful sigh. "Now I can''t see how beautiful you look."


    Despite her tears, Ivyughed.


    "That''s my girl," May smiled, kissing her on her forehead. She let go and began walking around the room. “Your room is big!" she eximed, her eyes roaming around it.


    "Well, perks of being a billionaire''s wife," Ivy joked as she went to the bed. "Nice," May smiled, then turned to Ivy. "How are you feeling?"


    "Good," Ivy said, wiping her tears. "Overwhelmed."


    "I understand,” May said, walking over to the bed and sitting. "I''m just d you''re doing a lot better."


    "I am," Ivy replied. "How did you find this ce?"


    "Ss called me this morning." May replied. "He also sent a car to pick me up. Also-" she paused, her tone softened. "I''ll be walking you


    down the aisle."


    Ivy''s chest squeezed at her aunt''s statement. It wasn''t that she wasn''t thrilled May was walking her down the aisle, it was that it brought out the sad fact that her father wouldn''t be there to walk her down this time.


    "Oh, my sweet girl," May said, pulling her into a hug. "I''m so sorry"


    "It''s okay," Ivy remarked, and smiled softly even though it wasn''t.


    She was hurt that her father really wasn''ting, and obviously, nor was Cole. She turned to her aunt, pleased that she at least had one family member present.


    "Let''s get you ready for your big day," May said, standing up. "How do we fix this makeup?"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll call the artist," Ivymented, standing as well. She reached the door, opened it, and called for Monica.


    Almost instantly, Monica came. "Yes, Ivy?"


    "Please call me the makeup artist, I want her to fix my face," Ivy instructed.


    Monica nodded and left. Some momentster, the petite makeup artist came and


    did her job. When she was done. May admired Ivy''s face.


    "Beautiful as always," May smiled.


    Blushing, Ivy smiled. "Thank you, Aunt."


    "I got you a gift," May said, ncing around the room.


    "It''s on the table, I ced it there," Monica told her.


    "Oh, thank you," May said.


    Ivy got in between them. "Aunt May, this is Monica, my friend. Monica, this is my aunt, May


    "Nice to meet you," Monica smiled.


    "Same here," May replied with a smile. May turned to Ivy. "Ready?"


    Ivy stole one final look at her reflection before responding. "Ready"


    May helped her down the stairs, holding the long train of her gown. When they got downstairs, Monica adjusted the gown while May took Ivy''s hand.


    The wedding was being held in Ss garden. Earlier before she got ready, she''d peeped at the arrangement from her window, watching how the decorators carried out their jobs. Now she was just curious and nervous.


    A soft, romantic music began to y-her cue to enter. May opened the door, and


    Ivy felt the rush of anxiety in her chest.


    "Easy now," May whispered reassuringly as she led her down the aisle. "Smile."


    Ivy stered a smile as she walked. The garden was magical, with beautiful vibrant flowers.


    Half the people seated there were strangers to her. Her heart clenched as she saw ?s, standing alone on the podium. He was d in an ivory suit, looking dashing with his fresh haircut. From the corner of her eyes, a camera clicked.


    When they reached Ss, May nodded, cing Ivy''s hand in Ss''s who helped


    her up the podium.


    "You look so beautiful," he muttered, his hazel eyes glinting with happiness.


    His words made her blush, and for a moment, her nerves disappeared.


    The priest stepped forward, a pamphlet in his hand. "Good afternoon, everyone.


    We are gathered here to celebrate love between Ss and Ivy


    As the priest spoke, Ivy''s thoughts drifted. She remembered her first wedding the happiness she had felt, the fulfillment. Her father had shown up then, and now his absence hurt more than she had expected.


    23


    11:55 AM C


    Her eyes scanned the guests, hoping to see him, or at least a familiar face other


    than her aunt''s. Nothing stood out-nobody stood out. and the realization stung


    "Your vows, Ivy." Ss whispered, breaking her thoughts.


    "What?"


    "Your vows," Ss repeated gently,


    Shoot! She had totally forgotten to write something. She panicked, her cheeks


    flushing with embarrassment.


    “I didn''t........ I...” she trailed off.


    "It''s okay," Ss whispered, his wordsforting, "Who needs vows, yeah?" He


    said out loud for the guests to hear. "Our love is enough."


    His words earnedughter from the guests, and Ivy sheepishly joined in. Ss


    then turned to the Priest. "Please, continue, Father."


    The priest cleared his throat. "The rings, please,"


    Ss brought out the rings and gave them to the priest.


    Do you, Ss Archer Stone, take Ivy Dawn Scott as yourwful wedded wife?" the


    priest asked.


    Ivy was surprised Ss knew her middle name.


    "I do." Ss said firmly.


    The priest turned to Ivy. "Do you, Ivy Dawn Scott, take Ss Archer Stone as your


    Despite her nerves, her voice was steady, "I do."


    “Exchange rings, please,” The priest instructed and they did. "I now pronounce


    you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."


    Ss grinned, pulling her closer. His hand gripped her waist, and his mouth


    captured hers in a deep tender kiss.