Page 43 of Dilectio

Dane clears his throat, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Katrina, from the moment you entered my life, you have been a beacon of light, guiding me through dark times. You came into my world when I was broken. I thought I could never love again, and you showed me that love is not only possible but essential. Your strength, kindness, and unwavering support have made me a better man, and I am eternally grateful."

He pauses, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "As your husband, I promise to cherish and protect you, to always be there for you in times of need, and to share in the joys and challenges of life. I vow to honor and respect you, to grow with you, and to nurture our love each and every day. My love for you is boundless, and I will stand by your side through thick and thin, now and forever."

Tears begin to well up in Katrina's eyes as she listens to Dane's heartfelt words. When it's her turn to speak, she takes a moment to compose herself before beginning. "Dane, you are my rock, my safe haven, and the love of my life. You showed me that love can heal even the deepest wounds and that together, we can face anything life throws our way. Your love has made me stronger, braver, and more resilient than I ever thought possible."

With a trembling voice, she continues, "I promise to love you fiercely and unconditionally, to stand by your side through all of life's adventures, and to always be your partner, your confidante, and your best friend. I vow to support and encourage you, to share in your dreams and aspirations, and to walk beside you on this incredible journey we call life. You are my heart, my soul, and my everything, and I am honored to be your wife."

As they finish reciting their vows, there's not a dry eye among the guests. Even Ezra, the strong and stoic man that he is, appears touched by the emotion of the moment. The love between Katrina and Dane is undeniable, and as they seal their vows with a passionate kiss, I feel both a mixture of happiness for them and longing for the love I've lost.

As the wedding reception begins, Ezra approaches me with a hesitant smile. "Quinn, can I talk to you for a moment? In private?"

I nod, my heart racing at the thought of being alone with him. We walk away from the lively reception, finding a quiet spot in the gardens. Paige is playing with the other children at the wedding, leaving us undisturbed.

Ezra takes a deep breath and hands me a beautifully wrapped package. "I got this for you," he says, his voice filled with emotion.

I unwrap the gift to reveal the leather-bound first edition ofJane Eyre. My eyes widen in surprise and appreciation. "Ezra, this is... incredible. Thank you." I bite my lip. “This is sweet and all, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to take your ass back and hide in the shadows of your life.”

He holds up his hand. “I know.” He smiles softly. "That's not all, Quinn. I know about your grandmother's mortgage, and I've paid it off. No strings attached."

“What?”

He repeats himself.

I look away. My eyes fill with tears as I struggle to find the words. "How did you... I mean, why would you do that?"

"I saw the notices from the bank when I visited your grandmother," he admits. "I couldn't stand by and watch you struggle.”

I bite my lip, fighting back tears. "And what about my job? I need to find something else to support myself and my grandmother."

Ezra nods. "I'll give you a glowing recommendation for any job you want. I just want you to be happy, Quinn. I love you.”

His confession takes my breath away, and for a moment, I'm speechless. Finally, I find my voice. "You love me? Why didn't you ever say anything before?"

Ezra looks down, his eyes filled with regret. "I was scared, Quinn. Scared of what others would think, of how it might affect my family and business. But I realized that none of that matters if I don't have you in my life. I want to be with you, no matter what."

I cross my arms, not ready to let him off the hook so easily. "That's all well and good, Ezra, but words are cheap. How do I know you're not just going to hide me away like some dirty little secret again?"

He reaches out, gently taking my hand in his. "I promise you, Quinn, I never meant to make you feel like that. I was wrong to try to protect myself at your expense. I want to make it right. I want everyone to know how much I love you, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove it."

I stare into his eyes, searching for any hint of dishonesty. But all I see is sincerity and a deep, unwavering love. Still, I need more than words.

"Ezra, I can't just take your word for it. I need actions. I need to see that you're proud to have me by your side, that you're not ashamed of loving me," I say, my voice firm.

Ezra nods, determination shining in his eyes. "I understand, and I'll show you. I would rush inside and announce our relationship to everyone, but I don’t want to steal Katrina and Dane’s thunder.”

He pulls me next to him, takes a selfie and captions it:

My brother found the love of his life today, and I'm lucky enough to be standing beside mine.He posts it on his social media, finally declaring our love to the world.

As the likes and comments pour in, I feel a sense of relief and joy, knowing that Ezra is no longer hiding our relationship.

I turn to him, my eyes glistening with tears.

He smiles warmly, pulling me closer. "Quinn, you are the most incredible woman I've ever met. I'm so lucky to have you in my life, and I promise to always be proud of us and cherish our love."

Our eyes lock, and I see the depth of his feelings reflected in his gaze. My heart swells with love, and I know that this time, things will be different. We've both grown and learned from our past mistakes, and together, we'll build a stronger, more honest relationship.

Slowly, Ezra leans in, his breath warm against my skin. Our lips meet in a passionate, tender kiss, filled with the promise of a shared future. As we pull away, our foreheads resting against each other, I whisper, "I love you, Ezra."