Page 104 of Death

I stop walking and turn to face her. “He’s my life, Grace. I love him.”

She nods, a soft smile playing around her lips. “But do you know him well enough to marry him?”

“I know him better than I know myself.” I glance down the path. “He loved me back to life when I was just an empty shell.” I’m hit with such a strong emotion, my heart actually hurts from the intensity. “Santiago is my everything. He’s the solid ground beneath my feet, the strength that keeps me standing,the force that has me putting one foot in front of the other.” I gasp through the overwhelming feelings, then meet Grace’s eyes again. “Yes, I’m ready to marry him. I already belong to him. Saying our vows is just us announcing it to the world.”

Grace wipes a tear from her cheek and nods. “That’s the love I’ve always wanted for you.” She lets out a sputtering sob. “God, I’m so emotional. Just ignore my crying. I swear my hormones are all over the place.”

I move closer and wrap my arms around her. “It’s okay. I’m an emotional mess as well.”

We let out bursts of laughter before we continue walking to the beach. I point out the log where Santiago and I sat on my birthday, and once we’re comfortable, Grace stares at me for a long moment.

“You look happy.”

I gather some sand and let it trickle through my fingers. “I am.”

“Santiago is an amazing man. If I could choose someone for you, it would be him,” she says.

My lips tip up, and I grin at her. “I’m marrying the man I love.” Then my eyes mist with unshed tears. “Thank you for going through with two arranged marriages so that I can marry the man of my dreams.”

“I struck it lucky the second time.” She leans back against the log and crosses her legs at her ankles.

I make sure my ankles aren’t visible, then look at Grace again.

I never want her to see the scars and know any of the details because it will devastate her, and it’s the last thing I want.

Grace looks at me, her features tightening with emotion. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” I whisper.

“Can I walk you down the aisle?”

It’s the last question I expected. My lips part, and my eyebrows draw together as I’m hit square in the chest, then I lunge forward and practically throw myself at her. “Yes!”

Grace holds me tight, and I move to sit beside her, leaning against her while keeping my arm wrapped around her middle.

“I would like that so much,” I say, staring at the ocean.

Grace presses a kiss to my forehead. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Lying on the beach with my sister, it feels as if a final piece has returned to my soul, and I let out a happy sigh.

We begin to reminisce about the good times, avoiding any heavy subjects, and after a while, we’re laughing like we used to.

“There you are,” we hear Dominik call out. “Have you been out here for two hours?”

“You’re going to get sunburn,mi amor,” Santiago mutters.

“Such overprotective bears,” Grace whispers as we climb to our feet.

Santiago holds his hand out to me, and when I place my palm against his, he tugs me right against his chest and stares into my eyes, silently asking if I’m okay.

I lift myself onto my tiptoes and kiss him before saying, “Grace is going to walk me down the aisle.”

Surprise flickers over his face. “That’s good news. We should celebrate.”

“We can have the restaurant deliver to the house,” Dominik says.

As we walk away from the beach, my heart is full because this is the future I’ve always wanted.

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