Preface

02/04/2027 - New York, Manhattan, Upper East Side.

"Aya Millenis, do you take Iuri Stevens to be your husband, to honor and respect him, in joy and in sorrow, in wealth and in poverty, in health and in sickness, promising fidelity until death do you part?"

She smiled at the pastor's question, with all eyes focused on us. My fiancée looked at me, tears of happiness welling up in her eyes, a wide smile on her face, warming my heart with joy. I never thought I would experience this moment, a dream I believed would never materialize outside the realm of imagination—a world I had created when I was six years old.

I never imagined that one day, the facade of my cold, selective persona would be shattered by the very woman I had imagined to shield myself from others. Throughout my life, I have been in love with only one woman—the woman who held my world together when it was falling apart, later tearing it apart herself, and then, after several more years, rebuilding it once again. Our journey has been arduous, but deep down, I always knew she was the right woman for me, no matter how much I tried to deny those feelings or resist the idea that things could be different.

I recall everything we have endured to reach this point today—the hurtful words we both endured, she from her parents and I from her. Even though her words broke me, I couldn't leave her at the mercy of the world. So, I chose to walk away, concealing everything I felt for her until we crossed paths once more, leading me to commit an act I still regret to this day, but will carry to the grave. Today, none of that matters. I am determined to do my utmost to ensure she never cries in pain again. I will give her the world.

"I, Aya Millenis, take Iuri Stevens to be my husband, and I promise to honor and respect him, in joy and in sorrow, in wealth and in poverty, in health and in sickness, and pledge fidelity until death do us part."

My heart overflows with joy, sensing her trembling hands within her gloves. I, more than anyone else, understand her shyness, her fears, her traumas, her dreams, her aspirations, and her warm, loving heart. I am her greatest admirer, captivated by both her inner and outer beauty. I love seeing her violet eyes gleaming with joy.

"Iuri Stevens, do you accept Aya Millenis as your wife, and do you promise to honor and respect her, in joy and in sorrow, in wealth and in poverty, in health and in sickness, vowing fidelity until death do you part?"

It's impossible to conceal my smile—I am living one of the best days of my life! A montage of everything we have lived through flashes before my eyes. Our story began like this: