Chapter 184: Chapter 184
Kyra’s POV
I couldn’t help smiling as the boutique assistant helped me try on wedding gowns. Nathan watched me from across the room, his gaze intense yet tender. The warmth in his eyes made my cheeks flush and sent butterflies dancing in my stomach.
Nathan Anderson. The man who protected me through everything. My first love. My first heartbreak. Who would’ve thought we’d come this far? After I left, I never expected him to find me, let alone wait for me. I’d prepared myself to return and find him married to someone else. But he didn’t move on. He waited, without any promise of my return.
"I like this one," I told the assistant, pointing to a particular design.
Nathan approached to inspect my choice. His lips curved into a knowing smile as he gently touched my shoulder. "That’s the same design you wore at our first wedding ceremony."
I laughed softly. "You actually remember what my wedding gown looked like?"
"How could I forget the day you promised to stay with me forever?" His voice was low, intimate.
My heart skipped a beat as I gazed up at his handsome face. Sylvia purred contentedly inside me. "He still looks at us like we’re his entire world," she whispered.
Deep in my heart, I knew I’d always wanted him. Even through our separation and reconciliation, that truth remained constant. Love is rarely simple. It comes with struggles, pain, disappointment, anger. But beneath all that lies happiness and light—the possibility of a happy ending.
"Our next stop is picking up the wedding rings," I reminded him as we left the boutique.
Nathan took my hand, bringing it to his lips before opening the passenger door. "I can’t wait to marry you again," he murmured, squeezing my hand gently before securing my seatbelt.
We drove to the jewelry store where we’d commissioned our custom wedding bands. The design had been chosen weeks ago; now we were just collecting the finished pieces after the jeweler called Nathan that morning.
"Good afternoon, Alpha Nathan and Luna Kyra," the store manager greeted us with a professional smile.
"Afternoon. We’re here for our rings," Nathan replied.
While he handled the details, I wandered around the elegant showroom. Something outside the window caught my eye. Standing just yards from Nathan’s car was a familiar figure.
I froze, my lips pressing together as our eyes locked. He stood silently watching us, a ball cap pulled low but not enough to hide features I knew by heart. Kieran. A man I once loved.
He held my gaze for several heartbeats before adjusting his cap and walking away. I watched his retreating form, thoughts racing. How long had he been there? Had he been watching me all this time?
He wasn’t stalking me,at least I didn’t think so. When he’d apologized weeks ago, I hadn’t believed him. Even when he’d helped me escape from the man who tried to hurt me at the mall, I’d doubted his sincerity.
That shooter had been caught but remained tight-lipped about who had paid him to kill me. The danger still lurked, which was why Nathan rarely left my side. His father had wanted to hire bodyguards, but I’d refused, knowing it would alert Connor Foster to our suspicions.
After a full day of wedding preparations, we finally returned home around six. The unusual silence that greeted us immediately put me on edge.
I exchanged a worried glance with Nathan as he followed me through the entrance. Swallowing hard, I quickened my pace, fearing something might have happened to our family. As I pushed open the double doors to the living area, confetti exploded in front of me and lights flooded the room.
My mouth fell open at the sight of my daughter wearing a party hat, carefully carrying a round cake with Phoebe’s help.
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!"
I covered my mouth in surprise, taking in everyone gathered in the living room—Nathan’s parents, his sister, our daughter, Emily, Yara, Ana, even Mary and her mother Martha.
"Happy birthday, mommy!" Snow ran to me, and I immediately bent down to kiss her.
"Thank you, Sweetheart."
"Mommy, make a wish!"
I chuckled and nodded, feeling Nathan’s hand rest protectively on my waist. Closing my eyes, I gently caressed my belly. "I have nothing to wish for but the safety of the people I love."
I blew out the candles to enthusiastic applause, deeply touched that everyone had come to celebrate.
"It’s wonderful to see you again, El—I mean, Kyra," Martha said, kissing my cheek before enveloping me in a gentle hug.
"Thank you, Martha. I owe you so much," I replied, returning her embrace.
Mary approached next, tears glistening in her eyes. "I’m so happy for you, Kyra. You deserve all this love and happiness."
I nodded, feeling emotional as she hugged me. Emily came forward to offer her congratulations, followed by Phoebe and her parents.
The smile never left my face until it was Nathan’s turn to greet me properly. He gently wiped away the tears that had escaped down my cheeks.
"They surprised me too," he whispered before softly kissing my forehead.
I laughed. "They probably thought you’d spoil the surprise if you knew."
He chuckled, cupping my face as he gazed intensely into my eyes. "I love you, Kyra. And I’ll never tire of reassuring you. I’ll remind you every day, every month, every year, until we’re old and gray, until my final breath..."
"I love you too," I sobbed, blaming my heightened emotions on pregnancy hormones.
This birthday felt especially meaningful because I wasn’t alone anymore. I had family. I had love.
"I promise to celebrate many more birthdays with you," Nathan continued, his voice husky with emotion. "Forever, if possible. I love you and always will."
He pulled me close, claiming my lips in a passionate kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, ignoring Phoebe’s exaggerated throat-clearing and groans as she covered Snow’s eyes.
I smiled against Nathan’s lips, deepening the kiss. These precious moments with the people I loved made every struggle worthwhile.
