Page 108 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“Yup, very soon,” I laugh as I smile down at her.

Emily glances at her phone, then back at me with a mischievous smile. “Speaking of forever, Brant’s out there pacing like he’s the one getting married.”

I raise an eyebrow, teasing. “Brant, huh? And here I thought he was just here for the free champagne.”

Emily blushes, her cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink. “He’s been really sweet, actually. But he’s still Brant.”

Lila and I exchange a knowing look. Emily and Brant’s budding romance has been the source of much speculation and gentle teasing between us, and it’s clear that there’s something real brewing between them, even if they won’t fully admit it yet.

“He’s a good guy,” I say gently, watching Emily’s reaction. “And I think he really cares about you.”

Emily bites her lip, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “We’ll see. Right now, today is all about you.”

I nod, but I don’t miss the flicker of emotion in her eyes. I know what it’s like to be unsure, to be on the precipice of something wonderful but scary. And I hope, more than anything, that Emily and Brant find the happiness that’s so clearly waiting for them.

There’s another knock at the door, and this time, it’s the wedding planner, looking flustered but excited. “Serena, it’s time. Are you ready?”

I take a deep breath, feeling the moment's weight settle over me. I look at Lila and Emily, both of them beaming with pride and excitement, and I know that I’m ready. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.

“Let’s do this,” I say, and we head out together, my heart thundering in my chest.

The garden is even morebreathtaking than I’d imagined. Rows of white chairs are filled with our family and friends, all dressed to the nines, their faces lit up with anticipation. The string quartet plays softly, their music weaving through the trees as I take my first steps down the aisle.

Logan is waiting for me at the end, standing under the arch of oak trees that we’d picked out together. He’s dressed in a tailored suit that fits him perfectly, his hair styled just so, but it’s the look on his face that takes my breath away. His eyes are fixed on me, filled with so much love that it feels like everything else fades away.

I can hardly breathe as I take each step, my arm linked with my father’s. He squeezes my hand reassuringly, and I know he’s feeling every emotion that I am. The sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground as I walk, and all I can think is how perfect this all feels.

When I reach Logan, he takes my hands, his grip warm and steady, anchoring me in this moment. I can see the emotion in his eyes, and I have to blink back my own tears as the officiant begins to speak.

“Friends and family, we gather here today to celebrate the union of Serena and Logan, two people whose love has brought us all together on this beautiful day…”

The words blend into the background as I focus on Logan and how his thumb rubs gentle circles over my knuckles, grounding me. We exchange vows, words we’ve written ourselves, and my voice trembles as I speak.

“Logan, you are my best friend, my partner, and my greatest love. You’ve shown me what it means to be truly seen and cherished, and every day with you feels like a gift. I promise to stand by you, to support you, and to love you with all that I am for all the days of our lives.”

His eyes glisten with unshed tears as he begins his vows, his voice deep and steady. “Serena, you’ve changed my life in every way imaginable. You’ve made me a better man, and I can’t imagine a future without you in it. I promise to love you fiercely, to protect you, and to be by your side through every high and every low. You are my forever.”

There’s not a dry eye in the garden as we exchange rings, sliding them onto each other’s fingers with trembling hands. The world feels still, suspended in this perfect moment as the officiant smiles.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Logan, you may kiss your bride.”

He pulls me close, his hands framing my face as he leans in, his lips capturing mine in a sweet, tender kiss filled with every promise we’ve made today. The crowd erupts in applause, but all I hear is the sound of my heart pounding in time with his.

We turn to face our guests, hand in hand, and as we walk back down the aisle, I feel like I’m floating. Everything around me is a blur of color and light, and all I can see is Logan, his smile bright and full of joy.

We make our way to the reception area, a beautiful open-air tent filled with flowers and fairy lights. There’s laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the hum of happy conversations. Lila and Emily are the first to greet us, pulling me into tight hugs, and I can’t stop smiling.

“You did it!” Lila exclaims, tears shining in her eyes. “That was the most beautiful ceremony I’ve ever seen.”

Emily nods, her own eyes misty. “You two are perfect together. I’m so happy for you.”

Brant appears with a glass of champagne in hand and a knowing smile. He slips an arm around Emily’s waist, and she doesn’t pull away, a subtle but telling sign of how things have shifted between them.

“To the happy couple,” Brant toasts, his eyes flicking between Logan and me with a rare softness. “May your lives be filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of chaos—because we all know Logan can’t live without it.”

We all laugh, and I feel a surge of gratitude for this moment, for these people who have become family. Logan wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close, and I lean into him, feeling the warmth of his touch and the steady beat of his heart against mine.

Today is perfect. Better than I ever dreamed. And as I look around at the faces of the people I love, I know this is just the beginning of the most incredible journey.

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