The cathedral stood like a monument to forgiveness, draped in white lilies and soft gold.
Morning sun filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting kaleidoscopic light over the
pews. It was nothing like their first wedding no cameras, no lawyers, no icy glares or contractual
obligations.
This time, it was real.
Kara stood at the threshold, her hand trembling slightly around the bouquet of wild roses. Her
dress was soft lace, simple and elegant, her hair loose around her shoulders. Zia held the train,
giggling as she peeked down the aisle.
"She's waiting, Daddy," Zia whispered.
At the altar, Xavier stood tall in a crisp white suit, heart hammering harder than any boardroom
battle ever had. This wasn't a deal. This wasn't strategy. It was surrender and it terrified him in
the best way.
The organ swelled. The crowd rose.
Kara stepped forward, and the world shifted.
With each step she took, memories surged of fights, of tears, of first touches and second
chances. She'd hated him once. Loved him unexpectedly. Left him to protect what they made
together.
Now she was walking toward him again but this time, freely.
When she reached him, Xavier reached for her hand like it was a lifeline.
"You okay?" she whispered.
He swallowed. "Not even close. But I'm better with you."
The officiant smiled. "We are gathered here today to witness something rare—a vow made
twice, but kept for the first time."
Kara turned slightly, eyes glistening. "I never thought we'd get here."
"Neither did I," Xavier said. "But I remember now. I remember everything."
Her breath caught.
"That night?" she whispered.
"I remember you standing in the storm. I remember the way you looked when you signed that
contract. I remember the fear in your eyes… and the strength."
He touched her cheek.
"I remember falling in love with you, even when I didn't want to."
A tear slid down her cheek.
"And I remember losing you," he added. "Never again."
The officiant nodded. "You may speak your vows."
Kara went first. "I promise to choose you, even when I'm angry. To fight with you and for you. To tell you the
truth, even when it's hard. To protect our daughter. And to never forget who we were—because
we fought like hell to get here."
Xavier's voice cracked as he spoke.
"I vow to be your partner, not your prison. To listen. To grow. To love you and the wild, brilliant
girl who calls me Daddy. And if I ever forget again… make me fall in love with you all over."
Zia clapped from the front row, oblivious to the tears around her.
The crowd laughed. Cried. The officiant smiled.
"Then by the power vested in me, and not by any contract, I pronounce you husband and wife."
Xavier pulled Kara close and kissed her.
No papers.
No rules.
Just love.
And when Zia ran into their arms after the ceremony, Xavier lifted her high and whispered, "I
missed five years of your life. But I'll spend the rest making up for it."
Zia grinned. "Good. Because I already picked your room."
They laughed.
And somewhere deep inside Xavier the billionaire, the memoryless man, the wolf in a tailored
suit the vow echoed again.
Not a forgotten one.
But one finally fulfilled.