'I Do' For Revenge-Chapter 259: The Real Wedding

~AXEL~

"We’re already married. Why am I so nervous?"

Today’s our wedding day. Technically, the real wedding.

I was in the estate’s guest house with Tye, getting ready for what I’d tag one of the most important moments of my life.

Tye looked up from adjusting his tie in the mirror. "Because this time it’s real. This time you’re choosing each other without contracts or revenge."

I paced the guest house room, adjusting my cufflinks for the third time. "What if I mess up the vows? What if I cry?"

"You’re definitely going to cry," Tye said matter-of-factly. "You cried at the ultrasound appointment. You cried when she felt the baby kick. You’re an emotional wreck these days."

"Thanks for the support," I muttered.

"That’s what best men are for." He grinned. "Honest emotional assessments."

A knock at the door interrupted us. The Duke entered, looking distinguished in his formal suit. "May I have a moment alone with Axel?" he asked.

Tye nodded, grabbing his jacket. "I’ll go check on the flower arrangements." He shot me a look. "Don’t mess up your tie again."

After he left, the Duke walked over to the window, gazing out at the gardens where the ceremony would take place.

"Beautiful day for a wedding," he said.

"It is," I agreed, joining him.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. "I want to give you something."

He opened it, revealing a simple gold band with intricate engraving. "This was my father’s, which he gave to my mother, his wife. I also gave it to my wife, and now I want you to have it."

I stared at the ring, shocked. "Sir, I can’t, this is a family heirloom. I don’t think..."

"Yes, you can," he interrupted firmly. "And you will. You’re marrying my granddaughter today. You’re the father of my great-grandchild. That makes you family."

"But Julian..."

"Julian renounced his claim. And even if he hadn’t, this would still go to you." The Duke placed the box in my hand. "You’re the grandson I never had, Axel. You’ve protected my Layla, loved her despite your own pain, and now you’re giving me a great-grandchild. Your parents would be so proud of the man you’ve become."

My throat tightened. "I wish they could be here." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"They are," the Duke said gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. "In every choice you make, every moment of kindness you show, every time you choose love over revenge. They’re here."

I looked down at the ring. "Thank you, sir. This means everything."

"You’re welcome, son." He squeezed my shoulder. "Now, finish getting ready. I have a bride to deliver to you."

After he left, I stood there holding the ring, feeling the weight of history and hope it carried.

Tye returned, took one look at my face, and sighed. "Already crying and the ceremony hasn’t even started."

"Shut up," I said, sucking in a deep breath.

"Just don’t cry up there," he said, straightening his jacket. "You’ll make me look bad."

"No promises."

—

The garden ceremony site was perfect. White roses were all along the aisle, and their petals sometimes floated on the autumn breeze. A string quartet played quiet music near the altar. The chairs were set up neatly and were already filling with guests.

I saw Eclipse Beauty employees, business associates, reformed high society members who’d stood by Layla. Helena was organizing everyone, going full throttle on her maid of honor duties.

Victoria and Ellen waved from their seats. Julian sat quietly in the back, looking grateful to be included. Prince Leopold had arrived, bringing his own particular flair to the proceedings.

Tye and I took our positions at the altar. The Duke stood nearby, preparing to walk Layla down the aisle.

"You good?" Tye whispered.

"No," I admitted. "But I’m doing it anyway."

"That’s the spirit."

The quartet’s music changed, and everyone stood. My heart stopped.

And then I saw her.

Layla appeared at the end of the aisle, her arm linked with the Duke’s. She was radiant in ivory; her baby bump was visible and beautiful beneath the flowing silk. Her hair was loose, falling in soft waves around her shoulders. She carried a simple bouquet of peonies.

But it was her pure and genuine smile, full of love and joy, that destroyed me.

The tears started immediately.

"Told you," Tye muttered beside me.

I didn’t care. I watched her walk toward me, this woman who had changed everything, who had given me a reason to live beyond revenge.

The Duke and Layla reached the altar. He turned to her, lifting her veil, and kissed her forehead. Then he placed her hand in mine.

"Take care of them," he said quietly. "Both of them."

"I will," I promised. "With my life."

Layla’s eyes were already glistening with tears as she stepped up beside me.

"Hi," she whispered.

"Hi," I whispered back. "You’re beautiful."

"You’re crying."

"I know."

The officiant, a kind-faced woman the Duke had known for years, smiled at us. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness something quite extraordinary. Not just a wedding, but a renewal of vows. A second chance. A new beginning built on the foundation of honesty, trust, and love."

She looked at us warmly. "Axel and Layla have chosen to write their own vows. Axel, would you like to begin?"

I took a shaky breath, looking at Layla’s face. "Layla, I came into your life with dark intentions and a darker past. I thought I knew what I wanted: revenge, justice, closure. But you brought light to places I didn’t know could be illuminated."

Her tears were flowing freely now.

"I vow to be honest, even when it’s hard," I continued. "I vow to choose you, every single day, not out of obligation but out of love. I vow to be the father our daughter deserves and the husband you’ve always needed. You saved me from my own revenge, from becoming the monster I was hunting. And I will spend the rest of my life proving that your trust was not misplaced. I love you, not because of how we started, but because of who we’ve become together."

With trembling hands, I slipped the ring onto her finger.

Layla squeezed my hands, taking her own deep breath. "Axel, our beginning was complicated, messy, and built on secrets. But somewhere in that chaos, we found something real. Something worth fighting for."

She smiled through her tears. "You’ve shown me what it means to be truly seen, truly valued, and truly loved. Not as a possession or a pawn, but as a partner. I vow to trust you with my whole heart, even when fear whispers that I shouldn’t. I vow to build a family with you based on honesty, not manipulation. I vow to love you through the difficult moments, because those are the ones that matter most."

She placed a ring on my finger. "You gave me freedom when others gave me chains, and I choose to spend that freedom with you. Today, tomorrow, and every day after."

The officiant beamed at us. "By the power vested in me, and with the blessing of everyone gathered here, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Again. But this time, with your whole hearts, your complete honesty, and your unshakeable commitment to each other."

She paused dramatically. "You may kiss the bride."