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My heart held so much happiness, it could have burst.

The strapless wedding dress was even more perfect now that I was wearing it. The satin material glided over my skin like soft feathers every time I moved. It wrapped around my frame like a second skin, highlighting the swell of my breasts and curves of my hips.

Something was missing, though, but I couldn’t quite figure out what. My eyes traveled up and down my reflection, landing on my bare chest. Inspiration hit, and I crossed to the drawers tucked inside the wardrobe, finding the gift box Jacob gave to me all those weeks ago.

Opening it and picking up the delicate chain, I looped it around my neck and fiddled with the clasp before returning to the mirror. The diamond pendant rested against my skin, the perfect finishing touch to my wedding attire. I grinned down at the diamond, rubbing it between my thumb and finger, knowing how happy it would make Jacob when he saw that I was wearing it.

My gaze caught on the clock hanging on the wall. It was time.

A thrill of excitement shot through me, and I slipped my feet into the shoes Jacob had picked out, hitched my dress up a little so I didn’t trip over it, and headed out of the bedroom.

Taking tentative steps, my legs not used to walking more than the length of the cell, my heels clacked against the floor as I made my way down the stairs and toward the veranda, not one part of me doubting what I was about to do.

My body ached for Jacob’s touch again. My ears craved his melodic voice. My eyes desperately wanted to see him again. It had only been a few hours since he carried me from the cell, but it was as if part of me was missing.

Once we were married, I’d be whole again.

Voices floated from the open door in the drawing room that led out onto the veranda, and I followed the unmistakable tones of Jacob, my stomach swirling with nerves. When I stepped outside, my breath hitched.

Jacob had changed into a black tuxedo, complete with a bow tie, and although I’d seen him in a suit before, he looked dashing in the tux. The sharpness of his jawline was free of even the slightest hint of stubble, and his hair was neatly groomed so that not one strand of hair was out of place.

Standing opposite him was a man I’d never seen before, and just behind Jacob, Wallace stood with his hands folded in front of him and his features set in his usual stoic look.

My jaw clenched as the last memory I had of seeing Wallace played out in my mind, but before I could give it too much thought, Jacob blocked my line of vision. His gaze roamed over my body, and a grin lifted his lips when he saw I was wearing the necklace.

“Angel, fuck. You look…stunning.” He took my hand, kissing the back of it. “I can’t believe how fucking lucky I am that I get to marry you.”

Words seemed to fail me as tears of joy pricked behind my eyes. “I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to marry you too.”

Jacob led me over to the man who was wearing a smart suit, and my attention snagged on a small brooch pinned to his lapel, half white, the other half yellow, and two keys crossed over each other and sat below a crown.

My brows furrowed. I’d seen that symbol before somewhere, but overwhelmed by all the emotions running wild inside of me, I couldn’t place it.

“Angel, this is Giuseppe Santos. He’s going to be marrying us,” Jacob explained, waving a hand to the man whose features were completely expressionless.

“Hello,” I managed to force out, earning a nod of his head.

“Shall we begin, Mr. Du Pont?” Giuseppe asked, a hint of a European accent in his voice.

“Indeed,” Jacob replied, his gaze never leaving mine.

“Please turn to face each other to exchange your vows.”

Nerves fired through me as Jacob reached for my other hand and turned me to face him. My legs wobbled, although I wasn’t sure if it was from weakness or the sudden pang of uncertainty.

“Angel. There was a time when I lived in darkness; my world was bleak and lonely, but I thought I was happy with that. Until I found you. Every day since you came into my life, my world is bright from the light you bring to it. I can’t imagine spending the rest of my days without you in them. I want us to have a family, grow old together, and never be apart.”

Somehow, I managed to keep my tears from falling as I smiled affectionately at Jacob, only to falter when Giuseppe said, “And now for your vows, Ms. Astor.”

My lungs tightened in panic. I hadn’t prepared anything to say, and I knew that would disappoint Jacob. But he tenderly squeezed my hand. “It’s okay, angel. Just say what’s in your heart.”

I swallowed the nerves crawling up my throat, sucking in a deep breath and recalling how I felt during the last few days when Jacob was absent. “I don’t ever want to be apart from you, Jacob. When you didn’t come to see me these last few days, it felt like my heart had been carved from my chest.” Unable to hold my tears in, one slid down my cheek. “I missed you so much, and I don’t ever want to feel like that again. I promise I can be the perfect woman you want me to be, just please don’t leave me.”

Beside us, Giuseppe shifted on his feet, but I paid him no attention when Jacob released one of my hands to cup my cheek. “Sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere. Ever. And you’re already perfect. My perfect angel.”

Relief flooded my body as I nuzzled against his warm palm, and for several seconds, we stared at each other, the world around us forgotten.

Giuseppe cleared his throat. “Shall we continue?” Jacob took my hand again, nodding. “Very well. Jacob Du Pont, do you take Charlotte Astor to be your wife?”