TITLE:RUNAWAY BRIDE

Chapter 17: THE WEDDING... FOR REAL

One month later.

No Daniel. No guards. No contracts.

Alex’s lawyers handled him. Restraining order. Charges. He’s not getting near us.

Today was different.

I stood in Alex’s office. But not for a contract this time.

I was in white. Simple dress. No designer. Just me.

Alex stood across from me. No suit. Just black pants and a white shirt.

He looked nervous. CEO Alex Smith, nervous.

"Are you sure?" he asked. Quiet.

"I’m sure," I said. "Are you?"

Alex stepped forward and took both my hands. "Lily, I spent my whole life thinking love was a liability. Something that makes you weak."

"And now?"

"Now I think it’s the only thing that makes you strong," he said. "Marry me. For real this time. No clauses. No expiration date."

The judge was a friend of his. There were no guests.

Just us. And the ocean through the windows.

"I do," I said.

"I do," Alex said.

He slid the ring on my finger. Not the huge diamond from the fake wedding.

This one was simple. Gold. With his initials inside.

When he kissed me, it wasn’t for show.

It was slow. Deep. Like he was sealing a promise.

Later, on the balcony, Alex pulled me back against his chest.

"So Mrs. Smith," he whispered in my ear. "What now?"

I leaned into him. "Now we live. No more running."

Alex smiled against my neck. "Good. Because I’m terrible at running. But I’m really good at staying."

And we did.

We stood there in silence. My heart was racing so loud I was sure he could hear it.

"Say something," I whispered.

Alex took my hands. His thumb brushed over my knuckles. "I've been cold for years. Built walls. But you... you tore them down without even trying."

Tears burned my eyes. "I was scared too."

"Don't be scared anymore," he said. "Not with me."

The air between us felt different. Lighter. Like the last piece of a puzzle finally clicked into place.

I looked up at him. Really looked. No walls. No masks. Just Alex. My Alex.

"So what now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled. That rare, real smile that only I got to see. "Now we get married. For real this time. No running. No secrets."

I laughed through my tears. "And after that?"

"After that," he said, pulling me into his arms, "we figure it out. Together. One day at a time."

His arms around me felt like home. Safe. Warm. Mine.

Outside, the sun was setting. Gold light spilled through the windows and painted the room in warm colors. It felt like a new beginning.

I closed my eyes and let myself believe it.

This was real.

This was us.

This was forever.