A Promise Sealed [POV: Abigail]
When the call with Nate ended, and I exhaled slowly, placing my phone down on the polished vanity. The weight in my chest was suffocating, but I ignored it, forcing myself to focus on the moment.
The warm afternoon breeze filtered through the sheer white curtains, carrying the scent of fresh roses and sea salt. Outside, the waves kissed the shore, steady and endless. This was supposed to be a dream come true.
I smoothed my hands over my white dress, the delicate lace resting against my growing belly. Six months. I was six months along now. There was no hiding it anymore—not that I ever wanted to.
The flower crown on my head felt lighter than the weight I carried in my heart. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the glow on my cheeks, the happiness I was supposed to feel.
You made your choice, Aby. This is what you wanted.
A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
Then, Vincent stepped inside.
My breath hitched at the sight of him. He was wearing a sharp black tuxedo, his dark hair neatly styled, his strong frame filling the space with an undeniable presence. His eyes, warm and full of promise, locked onto mine, and in that moment, the rest of the world faded away.
His gaze flickered down to my belly, and his smile grew softer, more tender. He closed the distance between us in a few strides, taking my hands in his.
“You are now officially my wife, Mrs. Abigail Jones Austin,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Before I could respond, he leaned in and captured my lips in a slow, lingering kiss, his hands gently cradling my face. The warmth of him, the familiarity, the weight of everything we had been through melted into that single touch.
When he pulled away, he knelt before me, pressing a soft kiss to the curve of my stomach.
“I can’t wait to meet our baby,” he whispered against my skin, his voice filled with something so raw, so real, that it nearly made my knees buckle.
I reached out, running my fingers through his hair, swallowing the doubt that threatened to surface.
This was my life now.
This was the future I had chosen.
Vincent rose to his feet, his hands resting on my waist as he searched my face. I forced a smile, letting him see the version of me he wanted to believe in—the version that wasn’t torn, that wasn’t second-guessing.
I took a shaky breath and finally spoke the words that had been clawing at my chest.
“Promise me you’ll never betray me again,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
His expression darkened, as if the thought alone pained him. Without hesitation, he cupped my face again, his thumb tracing the curve of my cheek.
“I married you, baby,” he said firmly. “That’s my promise to you. I will never betray you again. I won’t lose you again.”
His lips pressed against mine once more, sealing the vow between us.
I let myself sink into the moment, into the warmth of his embrace, willing myself to believe that this was where I belonged. That this was real. That time, I wouldn’t regret it.
