Evelyn's POV

Lily stared at Dominic like he was some kind of alien. Her jaw tightened, and the envy in her eyes was unmistakable.

“This… this is your groom?” she asked, voice shrill, trying to cover her surprise with a sneer. “He’s... young.”

Mabel crossed her arms, her expression stiff. “Don’t be fooled by appearances,” she said. “He probably works as an escort or something. Wouldn’t be the first time someone hired a man to look good in photos.”

I couldn’t respond. My mind was still reeling, caught somewhere between disbelief and awe. The insults thrown around the room barely registered.

Then Dominic smiled and gave a small cough. That sound pulled me back to the present.

He inclined his head slightly and I slipped my hand into his, still dazed.

The morning air was crisp as we walked down to the white Rolls-Royce shimmering under the sunlight.

I slid into the back seat but couldn’t help leaning closer. “Why are you doing all this? I mean… where did you even get a car like this?” I whispered.

Dominic didn’t look at me. He adjusted his cuff, calmly. “You don’t like it?”

“That’s not what I said,” I muttered, lowering my voice. “I like it. I just… I’ve never had anything like this before. It’s the first time I’ve walked out of that house with pride.”

He glanced sideways at me, unreadable. “Then that’s all that matters.”

The rest of the drive was quiet. I stared out the window, my mind racing. Was this all real? I still remembered him sitting under that streetlamp in tattered clothes. And now here he was all perfectly dressed up, like it was just another Saturday morning.

At the church, the hall was already filling up.

As we waited for the Priest, Lily sauntered over and gave Dominic a once-over, her lips curling.

“So… who paid you? Evelyn, right? I mean, this can’t be real.”

Before I could say anything, Dominic’s arm slid easily around my waist.

“We’re legally married,” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So unless you object on behalf of the government, you might want to keep your comments to yourself.”

The warning in his gaze was subtle but sharp enough to make Lily flinch and back off with a dramatic scoff.

Dominic leaned closer to me, murmuring, “There’s someone important missing.”

“What?”

“You’ll see,” he said, taking my hand and leading me toward the wide front doors.

And then I saw him.

My father.

He was standing at the entrance, one hand gripping a servant’s arm for balance, the other adjusting his tie. His suit looked a little loose on him, but he had come.

I couldn’t hold back.

“Dad…”

I rushed forward, bouquet nearly slipping from my hand. I threw my arms around him, careful not to squeeze too hard.

“You made it,” I whispered, voice shaking. “You really made it.”

His hand patted my back gently. “Of course I did. You’re my daughter. Nothing could keep me away today.”

Dominic stepped back, giving us space, his expression soft.

Right then, nothing else mattered. Not Lily’s remarks. Not Mabel’s stares. Not the whispers.

My father was here, and Dominic stood beside me.

For the first time in a long while, everything felt… perfect.

Soon after the ceremony began. The hall fell silent as the priest raised his hands. I stood beside Dominic, gripping my bouquet like it was the only thing holding me steady.

He looked at me, calmly with his usual quiet strength wrapped around him.

Then, in front of everyone, he said, “My love, I finally found you. You’re my mate.”

His voice was low but firm, each word carrying weight. My heart stuttered. And before I could even react, he leaned in and kissed my cheek.

I blinked, startled. Did he just say mate?

I glanced at him, voice barely a whisper. “Dominic… my mate is Harrison. At least… he used to be. We broke up.”

He didn’t look away. “Then why didn’t you feel the bond?”

I hesitated, then lowered my voice. “I don’t have a wolf,” I said. “The Moon God cursed me. My power won’t awaken… not until I find my mate.”

He studied me for a second longer, like he was trying to see something buried deep inside me.

The priest cleared his throat. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce this ceremony complete.”

Applause filled the air. People clapped politely. Mabel clapped once, slowly. Lily pretended to check her nails.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Somehow, against all odds, it was done.

As we stepped down from the altar, I tugged on Dominic’s sleeve and leaned close. “Can you do something for me?”

His brow lifted slightly. “What is it?”

“My dad,” I said. “He’s holding on for this moment. Just… say something kind. Anything to reassure him.”

Dominic’s expression softened, and he nodded.

My father was seated near the front, his eyes misty, shoulders slightly hunched from the long morning. We walked over, and I knelt down beside him, squeezing his hand.

“Dad,” I said. “This is Dominic.”

My father looked up, taking in the man beside me. “You’re the one who married my daughter.”

Dominic knelt without hesitation, gently taking my father’s frail hand in both of his. “Yes, sir. And I promise to take care of her. I’ll protect her with everything I have. She’ll never be alone, and I’ll never let anyone hurt her.”

My dad’s eyes welled up, and he gave a weak smile.

“She was always my light,” he said. “Now that I’ve seen her married… I can leave this world without regrets.”

Dominic squeezed his hand gently. “Don’t say that, Dad. Evie still needs you.”

My eyes widened. “Evie?” I whispered.

He looked at me with a small smile. “Your nickname, right?”

Dad chuckled softly, a sound that broke something in my chest. “Good man,” he murmured. “Good man.”

We wanted to help him into the car, but he shook his head. “I’ll ride with the housekeeper. Let the newlyweds have their time.”

I didn’t argue. He’d made it through the day. That was enough.

As we waved him off, I glanced at Dominic. “We should head to the apartment.”

He offered me his arm. “Let’s go home, Evie.”

The ride was quiet at first, the kind of quiet that settled in your chest and made you think too much. I stared out the tinted window, watching the city blur past, unsure of what to say… or even how I felt.

Eventually, I turned to Dominic. “How did you know my father was sick?”

His hands stayed steady on the steering wheel, but his answer came quickly. “I needed to understand your situation. It’s a marriage, Evie. I couldn’t walk in blind.”

That made sense. Sort of.

He continued, his tone gentler this time. “Your father raised you on his own after your mother died. He didn’t remarry until you were twelve. That was Mabel.”

I blinked. “You know about that?”

He nodded. “And you dropped out of college to help pay for your father’s treatments. You’ve been working at that hamburger shop for three years.”

My stomach twisted. That wasn’t something you could Google. “How do you know all that?”

He glanced at me. “I heard it from others.”

I frowned. “Others? Like who?”

He didn’t answer that. Just gave me the same unreadable look he always did, then returned his attention to the road.

“Dominic…” I started, but he cut me off.

“I arranged for your father to see a specialist. One of the best. The doctor will come by tomorrow. Personally.”

My breath caught. “You what?”

“I thought it might help him. He looked… tired today.”

For a moment, all I could do was stare at him. “Thank you. Really.”

He shrugged like it was nothing. “You’re my wife now. You deserve the best.”

Something about the way he said that made my heart skip. He said it like he meant it.

I didn’t know how to respond, so I didn’t. I leaned my head against the window and let the steady motion of the car lull me to sleep.

The next thing I felt was a gentle touch on my shoulder. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking against the soft interior lights.

Dominic was leaning over me, his face just inches away. His eyes searched mine, and for one disoriented second, I wanted to kiss him.

And that terrified me more than anything.