Page 117 of Imperfect Desires

I’m already breathless.

Then the music begins. The gentle swell of strings. The rustle of anticipation. I step out, enveloped in sunlight, silk, and expectation.

But I see no one. Not the packed chairs of powerful allies and family. Not Viktor waiting to walk me down. Not even Aithan holding Yelena’s baby like a crown jewel.

All I see is him. Standing at the end of the aisle in a black tailored suit, his eyes locked on mine as if I’m the gravity pulling him in. His jaw is tight. His shoulders are tense. But his eyes—his eyes are wrecked.

I walk slowly, with awe, devotion, and a reverence that steals the air from my lungs. Every step is deliberate, and every breath is a prayer that I don’t break into tears before I get to him.

When I finally reach him, he lifts my veil with trembling hands, his expression thunderstruck.

And then—he dips toward me.

I barely have time to grasp what he is about to do before the officiant clears his throat sharply.

“Ahem. We haven’t reached that part yet, Mr. Ivanov.”

A ripple of laughter runs through the crowd.

Lev doesn’t look away from me. “Couldn’t help it.”

My smile stretches wide. “You’re lucky I’m not mad.”

“You love me too much to be mad,” he murmurs.

“Not wrong.”

We face the officiant, but our fingers find each other again, twining tight.

When it’s time for our vows, he doesn’t read from paper. He doesn’t need to.

“I’ve built walls my whole life. I’ve lived in shadows and resigned myself to a life in darkness. Then you stepped into my world—brighter than any sun, stronger than any steel.” His voice cracks slightly. “I didn’t think I deserved peace until you gave it to me. I didn’t know I was good enough to belong to anyone… until you.”

Tears slip down my cheeks.

“I will guard you, love you, and follow you to every lifetime we’re given,” he finishes, voice hoarse.

When it is my turn, I gather my breath.

“I once believed love wasn’t meant for girls like me—that my future would be determined for me, and that I would live my life overlooked in silence. But then you looked at me. And you never stopped.” My voice trembles. “You are my once in a lifetime. And my always.”

We don’t hear the officiant pronounce us husband and wife.

Because we’re already kissing.

He pulls me close, one hand tangled in my hair, the other spread across my lower back, and I feel our daughter flutter between us like she knows this is her story too.

When we finally break apart, the entire garden erupts in applause. But all I hear is the sound of Lev whispering against my lips.

“You’re mine, Mrs. Ivanov.”

The honeymoon suit is warmly lit, with soft music playing in the background. My hand rests on my belly, rising and falling with every breath. The satin of my dress is gone—replaced by a silky robe, pale and soft and clinging to my skin. My body is tired, but my heart is beating like it knows something’s coming.

There’s a knock, then the door creaks open and Lev steps inside. The overhead light casting his sharp features in golden shadows. His jacket is gone, sleeves rolled up. He’s changed into dark slacks and a soft black shirt. Clean-shaven jaw. Neatly trimmed beard. And yet he looks every inch the dangerous man who stole my heart with a smirk and a scar.

But tonight, his eyes aren’t sharp.

They’re soft. Intimate.

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