Twisted Ties of Love

"Wedding?" Casey stuttered, the word seeming to trip over his tongue.

"Yeah, didn't we talk about having a small ceremony? Just close family and friends. We'll keep it simple, maybe a little vintage charm with some white lace. If this were in the old days, I'd probably have a procession with horse-drawn carriages," Izabella said with a twinkle in her eye, her laughter bubbling up uncontrollably as she pictured it.

"You really want to marry me?" His ears tinged pink, his heartbeat thundering so loudly he almost thought he was hallucinating.

As his pupils dilated, reminiscent of a startled cat, Izabella watched his uneasy gaze and reached out to caress his warm earlobe, teasingly. "What are you talking about? I'm already yours, remember? Didn't we file for that marriage license at city hall? You even got down on one knee to propose. We just haven't announced it to everyone yet. I plan to marry only once in my life, so Casey, there's no escaping me. I'll never divorce you."

Casey froze, a bittersweet sensation flooding his chest. He grasped Izabella's hand, covering her slender fingers with his palm. His voice tightened as he asked, "What if I turn back into Ryker? What if I become that fool again?" He'd been feeling out of sorts these days, memories of his past self, the simple-minded Ryker, flashing through his mind.

Izabella's eyes shone brightly as she leaned in, their foreheads touching, sharing each other's breath. "I want the star actor Casey, and I want the fool Ryker too. I don't care which you are; all that matters is that you are you."

He was the one who had silently protected her, the one who had always stood by her side with unwavering faith.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"I won't run away, and you're not allowed to either," Izabella declared, tilting her face to press her lips against Casey's.

"I won't give you the chance to run either," Casey replied.

The wedding was set quickly, for January 22nd. A holiday getaway afterward would be perfect.

The Dempsey Group had bounced back, regaining lost partnerships and even doubling some deals. After the busiest season had passed, it was the ideal time to prepare for a wedding.

Bunny had already taken care of the invitations, which were ready to be sent out, The wedding favors were custom-ordered, and the hardest part had been the dress, with its intricate lace and hand-sewn details.

With several skilled seamstresses working tirelessly for twenty days, the dress was finally complete.

It wasn't so much the wedding that was important as it was Izabella. Knowing her true past, Bunny had taken extra care preparing for this day. Izabella's first marriage had lacked a formal ceremony, so Bunny, insistent on making this one special, personally oversaw the venue and decorations.

Though they claimed a low-key affair, once the Dempsey family got involved, word quickly got out.

Casey and Izabella were getting married, and everything was set.

Fans rejoiced across social media, their beloved couple was finally tying the knot, giving them hope for their own love lives.

The news eventually reached Brett.

The wedding dress he had sent Izabella was returned the next day. He carelessly tossed it onto the

living room couch, a spot he passed every day. He'd often stare at it, lost in thought, occasionally mistaking the dress for Izabella herself, a poignant reminder of what once was.