My Fiancé Swapped Places With His Twin At The Altar Chapter 26
A year later, the first project I had ever been solely responsible for officially launched in Europe.
When the signing ceremony ended, applause filled the hall.
Standing onstage, I saw Chloe smiling at me from the audience.
And I saw Alessio standing at the back of the crowd, quietly watching me.
I knew he was happier for me than anyone.
After the banquet, we didn’t go back to the hotel.
Alessio took me to the Thames.
The night wind lifted the hem of my dress.
In the distance, the lights of the London Eye glowed and dimmed, and the river lapped softly against the bank.
He took a small box from his pocket.
I froze.
When he opened it, a ring lay inside.
The design was simple.
On the inside of the band, a tiny cat was engraved.
I laughed.
“When did you get this?”
“A long time ago,” he said. “The first time I saw you smile while holding that little orange kitten.”
I looked at the ring, my eyes slowly growing hot.
Alessio didn’t get down on one knee. He didn’t say anything dramatic.
He only held my hand and asked me, very seriously, “Bianca, our marriage began in chaos.”
“Now I want to ask you again.”
“Are you willing to truly begin with me?”
The river wind swept past, carrying a chill.
I thought of the wedding day.
I had stood outside that lounge and listened as everyone I trusted discussed handing me off to another man.
Back then, I thought I had reached the absolute bottom.
But I understood now that the wedding had pushed me into the darkest part of my life—and had also brought me to Alessio.
He never once said he wanted to save me.
He simply gave me choices, gave me room to make mistakes, gave me an estate full of cats, and gave me back the courage to be myself.
I held out my hand.
“I am.”
The ring fit perfectly.