Page 71 of A Million Shades Of Love and Betrayal

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. "Thank you, Rafael. You look pretty amazing yourself."

I felt my own eyes well up, but I was prepared. I discreetly reached into my bra and pulled out a cotton swab, quickly dabbing at the corners of my eyes. Rafael laughed through his tears, gently taking the cotton swab from my hand to help me.

"Always prepared," he teased, twirling me around to get a full view of my dress. "You look like a queen."

I blushed again. "And you, my king, look quite dashing yourself." He was dressed in a classic black tuxedo, his dark hair neatly combed, the silver cufflinks I'd given him yesterday gleaming in the sunlight.

We stood there for a few moments, just holding each other, letting the reality of the day sink in. The photographer captured it all, but it felt like we were in our little world.

"Ready for the next first look with your dad?" Clara asked, breaking the spell. "He's waiting inside."

Rafael gave me one last twirl and a kiss on the forehead. "Go make him cry," he said with a wink.

I walked back inside, my heart swelling with a different kind of anticipation. My dad was waiting in the library, his back to the door just like Rafael had been. As I approached, I felt a lump in my throat. This was the man who had always been my rock, my protector. Seeing me in my wedding dress would be as emotional for him as it was for me.

"Dad?" I called softly.

He turned around, and the look on his face was everything. His eyes filled with tears, and he quickly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing at his eyes.

"Yasmin, you look... I don't even have the words," he said, his voice trembling. "You are stunning, my dear."

I hugged him tightly, feeling his strong arms around me. "Thank you, Dad. Thank you for everything."

He pulled back slightly, holding me at arm's length, his eyes searching mine. "I'm so glad you didn't run off and get married without us. This means the world to me."

I smiled, my tears threatening to spill over again. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Dad. I'm sorry about everything with Ethan. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"It's quite alright," he patted my hand. "We'll talk about it after your big day."

The photographer motioned for us to head outside for more photos. As we stepped into the garden, the warm sun enveloped us, and I felt a wave of calmness. The hustle and bustle of the day momentarily faded as I focused on capturing these precious moments.

First, I took more photos with Rafael. As we posed together, his hand resting lightly on my waist, I couldn't help but smile. This was it. The beginning of our forever.

Next, I posed with my siblings. Khalid gave me a playful nudge. "You clean up pretty well, sis."

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "You don't look too bad yourself."

Amirah hugged me tightly. "I'm so happy for you, Yaz."

"Thanks, Amirah," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I couldn't have planned this wedding so fast without you and Mom."

We moved on to photos with my parents, their joy was evident in their smiles. My dad kept stealing glances at me, still in awe of seeing his little girl grow up. My in-laws joined us next, their warm presence a reminder of the new family I was becoming a part of. Then it was Roman's turn.

"Congratulations, Yasmin," he smiled brightly. "You're perfect for Rafael."

"Thank you, Roman. That means a lot."

Finally, we gathered for a large family photo. Everyone was there, a sea of smiling faces, and I felt a surge of gratitude for every one of them. As the photographer snapped away, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment.

After the photos were taken, it was time to prepare for the ceremony. We all dispersed, each person finding their place. My heart pounded with anticipation as I strolled to the aisle entrance. Mom and Amirah fussed over me one last time, ensuring everything was perfect.

"You ready, Yasmin?" Mom asked, her eyes sparkling.

I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly. "As ready as I'll ever be."

The music began with a soft, melodic tune that signaled the start of the ceremony. My father took my arm, offering me a reassuring smile. "Let's do this."

We began our walk down the aisle, each step bringing me closer to Rafael. The guests turned to look at me, their faces a blur as I focused solely on him. He stood at the altar, his eyes locked on mine, and I felt a wave of love and certainty wash over me. This was where I was meant to be.

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