Page 137 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“Yes.” I took his arm as the violinist started playing.

I admired Kayla as she held the little basket.

We began the procession. I offered everyone a grin as they looked back at me. Tristan smiled at me as we got closer to the altar. He waved at Kayla, who looked shy as she threw the rose petals to the floor.

Tristan took my hand immediately when I joined him at the altar. The priest took a glance at our intertwined hands, like it wasn’t time for that.

“You look hot,” Tristan whispered. “And breathtakingly beautiful,” he added.

The priest cleared his throat, and I tried to stop myself from laughing. Vina was my maid of honor, and Adrian was Tristan’s best man. The ceremony began. Tristan drew circles with his thumb on the back of my palm. It was a good distraction for my racing heart. Kayden refused to leave the altar after he brought the ring. The priest allowed him to stand next to us.

We did the ring exchange and said our vows.

“I, Tristan Sanchester, take you, Chloe, to be—”

“Full name, please,” the priest interrupted, making the congregation laugh.

“I, Tristan Nolan Sanchester, take you, Chloe Cassandra Simpson, to be my lawfully wedded wife, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part,” he said, not taking his eyes off me.

“I, Chloe Cassandra Simpson, take you, Tristan Nolan Sanchester, to be my lawfully wedded husband, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part,” I said, smiling at him.

But what he did next surprised me. He started crying.

The whole church went quiet, and I felt their worried and curious eyes on us.

“Tristan? What’s wrong?”

I stepped closer, and he pinched the corners of his eyes with his fingers, trying to block the tears away. His shoulders shook in soft sobs as I touched his arm. My family and the Sanchesters stood up from their seats.

“I can’t believe this is really happening. It all seems like a dream—you, our families, our kids here. I’m just so grateful, and I feel damn lucky.” He paused and took a deep breath.

“I never thought I would see you again. I could only think of how much you hated me. Is this real?” he asked the congregation.

I saw tears in a few people’s eyes from where I stood. I had tears in my eyes too.

“Are you real?” he asked me, taking my hand.

“It’s all real, baby. We are really getting married,” I told him, brushing his tears away.

“I could punch you in the face to convince you,” Vina whispered from behind me.

“I love you so much, Chloe,” he said with tears in his eyes.

I moved closer and wrapped my arms around him. I inhaled his scent and got lost in his warmth for a moment. This was my home and my world.

“I love you, Tristan, and I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with you, no matter the storm we encounter on the way,” I said.

I could tell this was not the proper wedding etiquette, but I didn’t really care that we were hugging while the priest had yet to pronounce us husband and wife.

“You may now kiss the bride.” We shared a soft kiss, and everyone clapped and cheered us.

“And now, I present to everyone who came to witness this beautiful union, Mr. and Mrs. Sanchester,” the priest announced.

Kayden tugged at my wedding dress. I looked down at him, and he stared at me like I could read minds. He began to whimper and tugged at my dress.

I crouched and smiled at him. He moved closer and kissed me on the nose.

“Awww,” the congregation chorused, and Kayden giggled.

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