There was no fear in her eyes.
No hesitation.
Just truth and love.
I knew I wasn’t going to win this.
Not against her.
Not againstus.
I stood up slowly, closing the distance between us, and leaned in to kiss the tears from her cheeks. “I want it with you too.”
47
JIYA
Ibrought the wedding date forward.
On April 4, I wore the wedding dress I had picked. My hair was left open, soft waves cascading down my back, and my skin glowed with minimal makeup. I tried to memorize the woman looking back at me—the bride, the woman who had found love again, the woman who refused to let time steal what she had been given.
With my hand resting on Jack’s arm, I walked out through the backyard doors.
The air was cool, touched by the softness of spring, and the sky was slowly shifting into twilight. Everything felt still, almost as if the world had paused just for this moment.
Emma walked ahead with Julia, Cole’s niece, scattering flower petals with tiny hands, their laughter light and carefree. They looked beautiful in their white and lavender dresses, like little pieces of joy leading the way forward.
Lucas followed closely behind, walking with Tristan, holding lavender pillows with the rings placed carefully on top. They looked so grown-up in their tuxedos.
Then I saw him.
Cole.
Standing there, waiting for me.
A soft smile spread across his face as our eyes met, and everything else seemed to blur away.
Cole wore a light olive suit that softened his features, his cheeks slightly flushed, his eyes filled with emotion, and it grounded me instantly.
He looked… gorgeous.
But I could see it.
The toll the cancer had taken on him.
It had spread rapidly.
His body had given up on him, and he was constantly exhausted when he came home from work. Hardly able to keep any food down, his weight had dwindled, and his face was hollow.
But today…
Today was a good day.
And I held onto that.
As I walked toward him, I felt light in my limbs and throughout my body as my heart raced. My breathing slowed as I smiled wistfully at Cole.
Jack placed my hand in Cole’s.
