Chapter 16 - The Wedding in the Rose Gardens
Spring had fully settled over the Whitaker estate, painting the grounds in vibrant shades of emerald and crimson. Six months after the collapse of the Consortium, the iron gates that once served as a cold barrier against the world stood wide open, draped in delicate white jasmine and fresh ivy. The rose gardens—the very spot where Evan had once spent eleven agonizing days disguised as a muddy groundskeeper—were now transformed into an open-air chapel bathed in golden sunlight. There were no cartel bosses, no corrupt prosecutors, and no hidden cameras. The guest list was small, intimate, and composed entirely of those who mattered: federal agents who had helped clear the family's name, loyal enforcers who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the dark, and trusted friends. At the altar stood Evan Whitaker, dressed in a sharp, tailored tuxedo that fit his formidable frame, though his usual ice-cold expression had melted into a look of overwhelming, unadulterated awe.As the violin strings swelled softly through the garden, the heavy oak doors of the mansion opened. Grace Miller stepped out onto the stone pathway, wearing a breathtaking gown of ivory lace. Her hair was swept back, adorned with a delicate silver pin, and her smile radiated a quiet, unshakeable strength. Walking ahead of her as flower girl and ring bearer were Sophie and Caleb. Sophie sprinkled delicate rose petals across the path with careful precision, while Caleb proudly carried a small velvet cushion featuring his faithful, blue-threaded rabbit stitched neatly right beside the gold bands.When Grace finally reached the altar, Evan gently took her hands in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. They didn’t need grand vows to explain what they meant to each other; the shared look of absolute devotion said everything words ever could.
