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Chapter 147 – Amara POV
Their Reception
The ballroom glowed like something out of a dream.
Golden chandeliers hung above, casting soft light across the elegantly decorated tables. Ivory and blush roses adorned every surface, and fairy lights wove across the ceiling like a thousand stars had descended just to witness our joy.
Ethan and I stepped into the room hand-in-hand, and the guests erupted into applause.
"Presenting, Mr. and Mrs. Lantel!" the announcer declared.
My cheeks hurt from smiling, but I didn't care. I felt like I was floating. Ethan leaned close and whispered, "Let's give them something to remember."
The music swelled, and we walked to the dance floor.
Everyone formed a wide circle around us. I looked up at Ethan. His blue eyes shimmered with something soft—love, maybe, or something deeper. He placed a hand on my waist, the other holding mine, and we began to dance.
The first notes of our song floated into the air.
It was the same melody he used to play in his car when we first started falling for each other—soft, soulful, and full of memories. My head found its place on his chest, and the world melted away.
"You're my forever, you know," he murmured.
I smiled into his suit. "And you're mine."
The song ended, and cheers erupted again. As we turned toward the crowd, I saw Arya wiping her eyes beside Damon. Zariah waved excitedly from the corner, holding Malik's hand.
The DJ took over, and the energy shifted. The music picked up, and the guests filled the dance floor. Laughter echoed, feet shuffled and spun, and joy bloomed in every corner.
I barely had time to breathe before Arya and Hope came running over.
"You looked like a goddess out there," Arya gushed, pulling me into a hug.
"Can I dance with you next?" Hope asked, her eyes sparkling.
"You can dance with me all night, sweetheart," I said, picking her up as she giggled.
Ethan walked over and tapped Hope's shoulder. "May I steal my bride for a moment?"
She crossed her arms dramatically. "Only if I get a cupcake first."
We laughed, and I handed her off to Arya before Ethan tugged me gently toward the dessert table.
"You've barely eaten," he said, holding up a fork with a bite of cake.
I raised an eyebrow. "You're feeding me now?"
He winked. "Husband privileges."
I opened my mouth, and he fed me the sweet vanilla cake. It melted on my tongue. "Mmm," I said, licking a bit of frosting from my lip. "I could get used to this."
He leaned in, his voice low. "Just wait till later."
A blush crept up my neck, but I laughed and swatted his chest.
We mingled, took photos with everyone, and gave our thank-you speech—which Ethan completely forgot halfway through and ended with: "I'm just really lucky she said yes."
The room laughed, and I rolled my eyes affectionately.
The next surprise came when Damon clinked his glass and took the mic.
"As most of you know," he began, "Amara's always been stubborn, smart, and far too good for most men."
Everyone laughed.
"I always worried she'd meet someone who didn't deserve her. But then… she met Ethan." He paused, turning serious. "And not only did he step up, but he proved—day after day—that he'd love her, protect her, and never dim her light. I couldn't have asked for a better man to love my sister. Cheers to the Lantels."
Glasses clinked, and I swiped at the tears that dared to fall.
Zariah spoke next, pulling out a folded paper. "I wrote a poem, because—of course, I did."
The room chuckled.
Her voice was soft but steady as she read about friendship, sisterhood, and watching love grow. By the end, I was a mess—and Ethan kissed my hand under the table.
We cut the cake. Toasts were made. Malik even danced, surprising everyone—including Zariah.
And then came the bouquet toss.
I stood on the dance floor, back turned, surrounded by excited single women. "One, two…" I spun on three and tossed it over my head.
Gasps erupted.
It landed squarely in Arya's hands.
She turned bright red, holding it like it had just declared a prophecy. Damon, standing nearby with a drink in hand, raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"I didn't plan that," I whispered to Ethan.
He laughed. "Fate's having fun tonight."
The night rolled on with dancing, laughter, hugs, and endless congratulations.
At one point, I stepped out onto the terrace for a moment of quiet. The city lights sparkled below, and the music was muffled behind the glass doors.
Ethan joined me minutes later, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
"Too much partying?" he asked.
"Just… soaking it in."
We stood like that in silence. The wind teased the edge of my veil, and his chin rested gently on my shoulder.
"This is one of the best days of my life," I whispered.
"One of?" he teased.
I turned to face him. "There are still so many days ahead. So many chances to fall in love with you all over again."
His smile was soft and certain. "I'm yours, Amara. Forever."
"And I'm yours."
He pulled me into one more dance under the stars. No music, just the sound of our laughter and the night.
Back inside, the DJ announced the last song, and the guests slowly gathered.
We shared one last dance surrounded by everyone we loved. Arya and Damon, Zariah and Malik, Hope twirling near our feet. The room spun slowly, golden and full of warmth.
And in that moment, I knew—
This wasn't just a wedding.
It was the celebration of everything we survived.
Of love that refused to give up.
Of a girl who didn't think she was lovable.
And the man who proved her wrong.
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