Page 54 of Overdosed: Her Dark Side
“I have an offer for you, Sergio,” I broke the silence. “Let’s say I’d like you to be my business partner.”
“I didn’t expect this.” His eyebrows shot up.” But you don’t have to do this, Shane, you know that, right? You don’t owe me anything.”
“I know, but I want to.” A smirk cracked my lips.
Sergio hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing. “I’m listening.”
I handed him a glass of whiskey across the table. “You have a son, right?”
Sergio nodded. “Right, why?”
I took a sip of the whiskey, smirking as my friend’s eyes filled with intrigue. “I think this marks the beginning of a mutually beneficial friendship.”
TWENTY
Melanie
One year later.
Ayear had passed, taking away the grief and replacing it with a sense of serenity. Anders, Elena, and Aaliyah had relocated to Italy. Their absence left a void in New York, yet knowing they were happier elsewhere brought us solace. Shane, Anders, and Sergio allied stronger and more resilient than ever before. Meanwhile, I reconnected with my old friends Teresa and Scarlett. It warmed my heart to see them both blooming in their lives. Scarlett had found love in a new relationship, and Teresa surprised me by introducing her girlfriend of a year to me. They told me Theo married Audrey, but their marriage had only lasted months.
Finally, as the day of my dreams arrived, I walked down the aisle towards the man of my dreams.
Long overdue.
The soft music filled the air, and I couldn’t stop smiling as I drew closer to Shane, my heart racing in anticipation. His stormy blue eyes, the very same one I had fallen in love with the same night I first laid my gaze on, met mine. I clutched the bouquet of beautiful white roses. A symbol of loyalty and love. Of better, brighter times to come. The white veil trailed behind me, and my hair cascaded in loose waves, some strands left loose framing my face. The fabric of my wedding gown flowed down my arms and waist like that of a princess. Finally, I reached Shane’s side, and my heart skipped a bit. Standing before him, I knew that this was where I belonged, in his arms, bound by the promise of forever. And as we exchanged tender glances, lost in the depths of each other’s eyes, I knew that our love would win any storm that came our way.
Shane and I had to face many obstacles throughout our love story. It wasn’t always easy. It wasn’t rosy from the very beginning. But none of that mattered. Despite the fraud between our families, even though this love, our love was never supposed to exist, everything had led us to this point. Every obstacle we faced, ultimately led us back to each other. To be together. To be forever. We were bound by a forbidden yet so irresistible attraction. I still feel the taste of his lips on mine when he kissed me for the very first time when he still saw me as a task when revenge still brewed in his veins. Even then, I felt the genuine affection between us. It was as if our paths were inexorably intertwined by an unbreakable bond.
In the end, I am certain of one thing. I was meant to be his. He was meant to be mine.
“I, Shane, take you, Melanie Rose, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Until death do us part.”
Shane slid a wedding band on my finger and planted a soft kiss on it. His eyes cast upward as he did so, causing my heart to flutter. This man would never stop having this intoxicating effect on me. His eyes beamed as he smiled, revealing his gorgeous teeth. God, I adored the way he smiled, with a hint of wickedness in his gaze.
“I, Melanie Rose, take you, Shane, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Until death do us part.”
At last, we were pronounced husband and wife.
“You may now kiss the bride!” Hope jumped and clapped her hands in joy, and everyone burst out in laughter.
I looked into Shane’s eyes, sinking in his arms as we shared our first kiss as husband and wife, sealing our love. Confetti landed on us, our family and friends cheering loudly as we started writing this new chapter of our life together.
The ocean breeze swept over the sandy shore, and melodic tunes filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the guests.
I swayed in the arms of my now husband on the dance floor arranged at the beach, our movements synchronized, our gazes locked in love.
I looked at the reception fleetingly. It was alive with laughter and joy. Elena twirled gracefully with Anders; her eyes sparkling as she danced with effortless grace. Aaliyah was wrapped in the arms of her first boyfriend, their laughter mingling with the music as they swayed together. Scarlett and Theresa spun around the floor with their plus ones, their smiles radiant and contagious. Sergio and Emily moved together as if in perfect synchrony, giggling radiantly. But it was the sight of Hope dancing with Chris, Sergio’s and Emily’s son, that truly melted my heart. Chris had that look of protest on his face as if the dance were a punishment while Hope obliviously twirled around him with delirious joy.
“You are finally my wife, Mrs. Vergoossen,” Shane whispered, his eyes beaming.
My lips curled up in a broad smile. “I’ve never been happier, husband.” y heart fluttered with joy.
“Mr. and Mrs. Vergoossen, congratulations!” I turned to face Anders, standing a few steps away from us among the dancing guests, his eyes fixed on mine. “May I have this dance, sister-in-law?”
I glanced at Shane, who gave me his approval with a smile. “Well, you may, brother-in-law,” I said teasingly.
I let my hands on Anders’s, and he pulled me closer, our bodies swirling to the rhythm of the music. “I’m so happy for you two. Genuinely happy.” He didn’t sound convincing.
