Chapter 96

Six months later, in one of the grandest chapels in H City, Lily couldn’t help but beam as she watched her beautiful friend emerge from the car. Today marked the wedding of Sarah and Antony, with Lily serving as the maid of honor.

It wasn’t until Antony had moved to H City that Lily learned of the love story between Sarah and Antony. Sarah had kept their relationship a secret for four years. After hearing their tale, Lily felt overjoyed that they had reunited and were now set to be married.

Sarah and Antony’s wedding was a grand spectacle, hosted in one of the largest chapels in H City. The venue was an architectural marvel, with towering stained glass windows casting a warm, colorful light throughout the chapel. The high, vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and chandeliers added an air of elegance and grandeur.

As Sarah made her way down the aisle, she radiated beauty in her wedding gown. The dress was a stunning ivory piece, intricately detailed with lace, featuring a fitted bodice and a flowing train that seemed endless. Her veil, also adorned with delicate lace, framed her face perfectly. She carried a bouquet of white roses and lilies, adding an element of timeless grace to her ensemble.

Antony, dressed in a classic black tuxedo, looked equally striking. His crisp white shirt and black bow tie perfectly complemented Sarah’s attire. He stood at the altar, exuding charm, his eyes filled with anticipation and joy.

The chapel was filled with their friends and family, enveloping the atmosphere in warmth and love. The wedding had garnered widespread attention, not merely because of the couple but also due to their connections with Alexander Kane and Lily Armstrong. The event had become the talk of the town, with paparazzi and reporters eager to capture the perfect photo and story.

“I do.”
“I do.”
“You may kiss the bride.”

Antony wasted no time lifting her veil and locking lips with her, earning a joyful round of applause from the crowd. Viola, the flower girl, watched with a smile, dreaming of having a wedding like this one day.

Outside the chapel, the couple took photos together with their families and friends. Even Antony’s relatives, who had initially disapproved of Sarah, had no choice but to attend the wedding.

Viola stood by, smiling as she watched the photo session, her curiosity piqued.

"Viola," Alexander and Lily called out as they walked toward their daughter, hand in hand.

Viola rushed to her parents and hugged their legs. Alexander picked her up and kissed her on the forehead.

“Daddy, Mommy.”

“Yes, dear?”

“Do all couples take pictures on their wedding day?”

“Yes, sweetheart, they do. It helps them remember the day and show it to their children and grandchildren,” Lily replied.

Viola glanced back at the couple taking photos before turning to her parents. “But you’ve never shown me your wedding pictures,” she pouted, curious to see her mother’s beautiful gown and her father’s well-tailored tuxedo.

Alexander and Lily were taken aback, caught off guard by her question. They exchanged looks, momentarily at a loss for words.

They didn’t know how to explain that they didn’t have wedding photos since they never had a traditional white wedding or church ceremony due to the circumstances under which they married.

Alexander gently caressed his daughter’s hair and smiled. “Soon, my love. Ours will be even more glamorous, and there will be plenty of pictures to look at, okay?” Viola smiled and nodded.

Lily leaned in and whispered to Alexander, “Are you saying we’ll get married again?”

“Yes, Mrs. Kane, we will have a church wedding once I sort a few things out,” Alexander whispered back.

Lily smiled joyfully and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be waiting,” she said. Alexander shook his head. “No, no, no, that’s not a proper kiss.” He leaned closer and kissed her deeply on the lips.

Viola closed her eyes, giving her parents a moment of privacy.

**********************
Meanwhile, in a hidden underground medical research facility in Northern Europe, a pale-skinned girl with brunette hair lay in a king-sized bed in one of the ICU rooms.

By her side sat a middle-aged woman with the same hair color, holding her hand. It had been 12 years since her daughter had fallen into a coma after a tragic accident. The woman had spent every night and day hoping and praying for her daughter’s recovery.

As she prayed with her eyes closed, she suddenly felt her daughter’s hand move. Startled, she opened her eyes to find her daughter wide awake.

“Oh my God!” she exclaimed, overwhelmed with shock and joy. “Oh my God, you’re finally awake!” Tears streamed down her face as she looked at her daughter.

“Wh… where?” her daughter tried to speak, her voice raspy and dry.

“Let me get you some water,” her mother quickly offered, rushing to fetch a glass of water. She placed a straw in it so her daughter could sip easily.

“Here, drink this slowly,” she instructed.

The girl sipped the water, and once her throat felt better, she looked at her mother, eyes full of questions. “Where am I?”

Her mother, still overwhelmed with emotion, tried to calm herself before answering. “You’re in a medical facility.”

The girl scanned the room before looking back at her mother. “What happened to me?”

“You’ve been in a coma. You need to rest now. The doctors said that when you wake up, you shouldn’t talk too much or move around. I need to call the doctor to check on you.”

“Coma,” the girl repeated, the word echoing in her mind. How long had she been asleep?

“Yes, my dear. Hold on, let me call the doctor.”

As her mother prepared to leave the room, the girl’s next words stopped her in her tracks.

“I need to get out of here. I need to find Alexander and beg for his forgiveness before it’s too late, before he hates me completely,” she said urgently, her voice growing hoarse again.

Her mother’s expression changed. She turned slowly to face her daughter, forcing a smile. “You will, but only after you’ve recovered.”

“No!” the girl screamed, shocking her mother.

“Jesus!” the older woman gasped, placing a hand over her heart. Even in her weakened state, her daughter’s temper was still fierce.

The girl glared at her mother, her voice icy. “How long have I been in a coma?”

Her mother hesitated, unsure whether to tell her the truth. She knew that if she didn’t, her daughter would start screaming and possibly harm herself. Remembering how violent her daughter could be, she decided to answer.

“How long?” the girl demanded again, her voice sharp despite the pain in her throat.

“12… years,” her mother replied, trembling.

The girl’s eyes widened. “What did you just say?” Her tone grew eerily calm.

“12 years. You’ve been in a coma for 12 years, and you’ve only just woken up.”

“12 years,” the girl muttered to herself, shaking her head in disbelief. “I’ve been in a coma for 12 years? No, no, no, that can’t be true, Mother,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “It can’t be.”

“I’m afraid it is. You nearly died in that plane crash, but fate gave you a second chance. Now, you have to live a peaceful and happy life,” her mother said, trying to console her.

The girl had been only 19 years old when she was involved in the crash. She shook her head in denial, then noticed a calendar across the room. It was indeed 12 years later. How could she have been asleep for so long?

“You have to accept it,” her mother insisted.

“But I need to ask for his forgiveness, Mother. I need Alexander to forgive me so we can go back to being the happy couple we were,” she said, tears falling freely.

Her mother shook her head. “You can’t do that anymore. Alexander Kane has moved on. He’s happily married and has a child, and…”

“No! Stop! Stop!” the girl screamed, covering her ears to block out her mother’s words.

“No, no, no! Alexander despises women. There’s no way he could end up with someone else. I’m the only woman he loves and will ever love!” she shouted, her voice breaking.

Her mother rushed to her side, trying to calm her down.

“Leave me alone!” the girl shouted, pushing her mother away.

“I need to see Alexander,” she insisted, pulling out the IV needles and trying to get out of bed. But the nurses and doctors arrived just in time to restrain her.

“Get a grip on yourself, Ariana!” her mother shouted, trying to bring her to her senses, but the girl continued to scream.

“I need to see Alexander! Alexander! Alexander!” she cried until the doctors injected her with a sedative, and she drifted back into unconsciousness.