All Chapters of Heartbreak And Wars: Chapter 91 - Chapter 97

Aloe's POVMy wedding dress cost two hundred dollars from department store—simple cream sheath that fit my post-pregnancy body perfectly without requiring alterations. So different from my first wedding's designer gown that had cost more than most people's cars.This dress felt more like me.Sofia helped me get ready in Portland courthouse's small preparation room. "Nervous?""Terrified. Happy. Both." I adjusted the simple flower crown Evelyn would wear as flower girl. "Sofia, is this crazy? Marrying the man who manipulated me three years ago?""It would be crazy if he was still that person. But Blake now? He's earned this." Sofia handed me simple bouquet—local flowers, nothing extravagant. "Aloe, you're choosing this eyes wide open. That's not crazy, that's brave."The ceremony was in courthouse's small chapel room—thirty guests, mostly Sofia's connections since I'd lost most friends during isolation with Wakes. Evelyn sat in front row with Wakes, who'd agreed to attend despite awkwa

Aloe's POVThree years after jumping from that Hamptons window, I found myself at a charity gala—not as a controlled wife performing for her husband's benefit, but as a volunteer with the legal aid clinic where Blake worked. Full circle in a way that felt significant."You okay?" Blake asked, adjusting James in the baby carrier while Evelyn held his hand."Just thinking about the last time I was at an event like this. With Wakes, performing the perfect wife role, dying inside.""Different now.""Very different."The gala was raising money for domestic violence survivors—a cause I'd become invested in after my escape. I'd started speaking publicly about my experience, helping other women recognize control disguised as love.Tonight I was scheduled to give a brief speech. Standing before a crowd of wealthy donors felt terrifying and necessary."Good evening. My name is Aloe Matthews, and three years ago I was in an abusive marriage to a billionaire who controlled every aspect of my life

Blake's POVThe federal prosecutor assigned to my case was Assistant U.S. Attorney David, a young and ambitious man, exactly the type who'd see reopening a closed case as a career opportunity rather than justice."Mr. Matthew, these documents from Senator Morrison's estate suggest you had prior knowledge of the Sanctuary's operations." David spread emails across the conference table. "Care to explain why you didn't mention this during your original cooperation?"I studied the emails with Sofia beside me, my attorney Margaret back on the case despite having retired.The documents looked authentic, it has my email address, proper formatting, dates that aligned with my investigation timeline.But I'd never written them."These are fabricated," I said. "I had no prior knowledge of the Sanctuary until Sofia's investigation revealed it during Aloe's rescue.""Convenient claim, considering Senator Morrison can't defend his allegations." David pulled up another document. "This email, dated