His voice always carried a reassuring steadiness, a strength that filled her with a profound sense of security.

Jiayi let out a soft sigh, suppressing her unease.

"Has the baby been good today?" He hooked his finger gently, lifting her chin.

What worried him most today was this—concerned that her body wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Jiayi nodded. "The baby was moving a while ago but has settled down now. Probably tired."

"Alright, I’ll have a word with them." Taking the initiative, he placed his large hand over her rounded belly, gently stroking through the wedding dress, as if soothing the two little ones, telling them not to trouble their mommy.

She couldn’t help but smile through her exasperation. Was this man comforting the babies or taking advantage of her?

"Nervous?" he asked in a low voice, clasping her gloved hand delicately. Even through the fabric, he could feel the light sheen of sweat on her palm as he continued, "The ceremony starts in five minutes."

"A little... You went overboard this time." Jiayi glanced outside the cathedral and responded honestly. Then, as if calculating something on her fingers, she added, "Not counting buying the island, how much did this cost? And you didn’t even tell me..."

Overboard? Not even close. He wished he could lay the whole world at the feet of this woman.

Leaning close to her ear, his breath warm and teasing, he murmured, "Alright, next time we’ll keep it simple."

Next time? He already envisioned another wedding?

She shot him a wide-eyed glare, only to have him clasp her delicate wrist and press it firmly against his chest. His deep voice resonated, "Does this help ease the nerves a bit?"

She felt his fingers interlace with hers, his fingertips gently rubbing her palm. It was as though he were channeling his strength into her. Gradually, her courage flickered and grew like a rising flame.

"Still nervous?" he asked softly.

She lifted her face, her lips curving into a radiant smile. "With you here, everything feels alright."

He gazed at her intently, his eyes dark as the ocean, then leaned in to press a tender kiss on her smooth, porcelain forehead. As he lowered his head to her ear, his whispers sent shivers down her spine. "Do you remember the words you’ve always wanted to hear?"

Her heart pounded wildly as she looked up at him.

"I love you, darling." His warm breath brushed against her ear, his voice rich with devotion as the words slipped out like jewels.

Her heart raced within the warmth of his embrace. Standing on tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and responded softly:

"I love you too, my husband."

...

The chapel bells rang out their solemn chimes.

Accompanied by the wedding march, Jiayi, her arm entwined with Chu Yanhan’s, made her way down the red carpet. The train of her dress was tenderly held by Zaizai and Gan Xinxin as they walked step by step toward the altar, where Huo Zhenyang awaited beneath the priest’s steady gaze.

The journey here had been fraught with challenges.

Yet it was precisely those hardships that made every step toward the altar so precious, so meaningful.

His sharp gaze locked onto his beautiful bride, eyes deep as the sea.

On Saint Roa Island, the sky shone a brilliant blue, the clouds pristine white, with a sweet breeze drifting gently from the sea.

He offered her love vast as the world itself, and she, in turn, vowed to walk with him into a lifetime of happiness.

——————

Behind the cathedral, where the restrooms discreetly served the guests.

In one of the stalls within the women’s restroom, Liang Anya sat, her heart sinking lower with every note of the wedding march echoing through the chapel.

What do I do?

What do I do, what do I do?

The Huo Family hadn’t even invited him—how was he here?

The answer was obvious: he came for her. He was here for her child!

He must know she wouldn’t miss Jiayi’s wedding, so he came deliberately to find her!

Her heart felt as though it might leap out of her chest.

Surely, he hadn’t seen her just now?

If she slipped away quietly with her daughter, would she still have time?

The island belonged to the Huo Family, and today it was hosting Zhenyang and Xiaoyi’s wedding. On account of Zhenyang, it was unlikely Si Yuheng would do anything rash to her father or brother, at least for now.

With the wedding drawing all eyes to the couple at the altar, she still had a chance to leave unnoticed.

But once the ceremony ended and Si Yuheng began searching for her, escape would no longer be an option.

If not now, then when?

Resolute, she stood without hesitation, opened the stall, and headed back to the villa to fetch Xiaoxiao.

But just as she pushed open the restroom door, a glint of light flickered within view—a flash of cat-eye diamond brilliance.

She had no time to react before a sudden, fierce gust of wind surged toward her.

Instinctively stepping back, she heard a resounding "bam!" as the solid wooden door of the restroom was slammed shut from behind.

The sheer force reverberated against her, and just as she nearly crashed to the floor, a hand seized her wrist firmly. In one swift motion, it yanked her back, spinning her around until she fell into a chest achingly familiar.

The person behind the door radiated a fiery, almost scorching presence that seared against her skin. The sharp heat sent a shiver racing through her—a reaction so visceral she instinctively recoiled, shouting in alarm, "Somebody, help—!"

Her plea was cut short as his hawk-like gaze narrowed. In a lightning-fast movement, his face descended upon hers, crashing into her lips like a predator closing in on its prey. He silenced her cries entirely.

The overpowering force of his anger, mixed with his breath, merged with hers, leaving no room for refusal. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

While gripping her tightly, his intense eyes studied her startled expression.

Months had passed, and somehow she was even more stunning than before.

The custom-tailored bridesmaid gown clung to her trembling figure like a second skin, accentuating every curve. Its artful design flirted with just the right amount of reveal, making her sinfully alluring—and enough to drive any man mad with desire.

Her wide, incredulous eyes locked onto his eerie green gaze. "Mmph... mm... Somebody... help..." she muffled and gasped, her broken sounds echoing pathetically in the secluded restroom.

At this very moment, everyone on Saint Roa Island was focused entirely on He’an Cathedral’s grand ceremony. No one could have guessed what was unfolding in the restroom behind it: she was being overtaken by a devil.

It wasn’t until she summoned all her strength to push him away, creating a slight gap between them, that he finally released her. His sharp lips drew into a tight line. "Still thinking of yelling?"

As expected, she had shown up.

Moments earlier in the chapel, his gaze scanned and caught sight of the Liang family—both father and son in attendance.

Her father and brother were present. With Jiayi as her sworn sister, there was no way she wouldn’t come.

Taking two faltering steps back, her fright-stricken body pressed against the stall door. "What do you want?"

"What do I want?" He advanced, his voice a low rumble of menace. His arm braced against the door, trapping her as he leaned forward. "You have the audacity to sneak away with my child while I was gone. That’s what you’ve done."

"Then you should also know why I left." She steadied her pounding heart. "Kasey already showed you the DNA report. That child isn’t yours."

His cold smirk deepened, his eyes shadowed with suspicion.

She pressed on. "I’ve told you time and time again—the child isn’t yours. After that night with you, I... I slept with someone else... I don’t even know for sure myself. You refused to believe me and insisted I keep the baby!"

His icy demeanor thickened and darkened with every word, yet a sliver of doubt lingered in his sharp, narrowed eyes as they bore into her.

"Enough with the lies," he snapped. "I’ll see the child with my own eyes."