After The Vows Novels & Stories

She took his hand. Deliberately. Curled his fingers against her face herself. His breath caught. The last time they’d done this, there had been a gun between them. This time, there was only skin. “Try again,” she said. “Without the contracts. Without the threats. Without Elara’s eyes on us. We may not get long. But we get to choose what we are with what we have.” He nodded once. Slow. “Vows,” he said. “No churches,” she said immediately.

“Still sounds like a marriage to me.” Silence filled the kitchen after the call ended. Lucas leaned against the counter. Elias leaned against the table. They looked at each other, neither speaking. Finally, Elias broke it. “You ever think about that?” Lucas frowned slightly. “About what?” “Marriage. Again.” Lucas sat down, taking his time with the answer. “I used to think vows meant everything. That once you said the words, nothing could touch you. Then I learned they don’t mean much without action.”

Even the choice of our wedding venue had nothing to do with me anymore. That night I slept at a friend’s house. Shane never once tried to contact me. The next day, after finishing my work handover, I stepped into the villa and was greeted by the sound of Tania’s laughter. "During the vows, there must be rose petals drifting down from both sides. That’s what makes it romantic." Shane sat beside her, his eyes locked onto her with a tenderness I had never once received. "Anything you want," he said warmly. She had his devotion, something I had never been granted.

Luca immediately swore, "Of course, Katerina! I swear on the honor of my Famiglia that I will only love you for the rest of my life! "My last name, my Famiglia—everything I have belongs to you!" I didn't say another word and silently signed my name on the contract. Luca thought that I was completely unaware of his tricks. I was just going to let him think that way, though. He would soon learn the price he would have to pay for deceiving me.

“Money doesn’t buy loyalty to the Swan. Your father couldn’t save your mother, and he sure as hell can’t save you. That alliance with the Volkov’s? It’s going to get you both buried. But don’t worry. I’ll make sure the message gets sent loud and clear with you dead.” Victor made a weak gurgle, his hand twitching on the table. I reached for him again. “Victor, just hold on for a bit. Please.” The waitress pulled a gun from under her apron, pointing it straight at my chest. “Now you get to join him. No more questions. No more digging. The Swan sends her regards, DeLorenzo.” I slowly reached for my gun, she noticed. “Wait, don’t...” She fired without another word.

PART 14 “As I said earlier, this ceremony is not just a wedding. It is also the rekindling of a friendship we once believed was lost.” Victor paused for a moment, his calm voice echoing through the grand hall. Hundreds of eyes remained fixed on him while the soft golden lights above reflected against the crystal decorations hanging from the ceiling. “On behalf of my family and myself, thank you to everyone who came here today. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves. Thank you.”

Then he addressed us and told us about the responsibilities we will be taking after speaking the vows. After all that, we were asked to take our vows. “I, Vincent Smith, take thee, Ashley Jones, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith to you," he spoke and I listened to it really well. I will just repeat it.

"Yes. I want us to reaffirm our commitment to each other, to create new memories and promises. I want our love to be celebrated and cherished." Tears of happiness welled up in Samantha's eyes as she leaned in to embrace Arielle. "I would love that, Arielle. Let's renew our vows and declare our love to the world once again." And so, with newfound determination and excitement, Samantha and Arielle embarked on the journey of renewing their vows. They planned a heartfelt ceremony, surrounded by their closest family and friends. It was an occasion filled with love, tears, and profound joy as they recommitted their lives to one another.

Meeting Jared's gaze directly, she calmly spoke, "Yes, you're handsome with a refined demeanor. You carry an air of dignity. Any woman would be impressed upon seeing you, and I'm no exception. Moreover, I was heartbroken by a terrible man and happened to cross paths with you. So, I... uh, I might have lost control for a moment." Upon hearing her words, a surge of joy swept through Jared's heart. It radiated from his eyes, giving his face an infectious vibrancy, like the warmth of spring. Taking a sigh, Julia lowered her head, continuing her act. "But I know we come from different worlds. On the day we got married, I promised you I wouldn't develop any feelings for you. I won't be drawn to yo