Chapter 287
The venue had been transformed into an enchanted forest, complete with towering trees, draping vines, and an abundance of fresh flowers arranged in breathtaking bouquets and clusters. The planning had begun the moment Penelope agreed to marry Theodore. Mr. Johnson had hired a top-tier wedding company, and for a full month, they had worked to create this dreamlike, mystical setting.
And Penelope, like a princess lost in this very forest, saw her prince and ran toward him.
Her prince caught her, pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss.
Mr. David Anderson and Timothy stepped aside. As the spotlight fell upon them, it was as if they were the only two people in the world.
Penelope didn’t hear a word the emcee said after that. Her eyes and heart were filled with nothing but Theodore, and his gaze, in turn, never left her.
“You’re beautiful p>
“You’re handsome p>
“The most beautiful in the world p>
“The most handsome in the universe p>
Theodore chuckled. “Let’s stop complimenting each other p>
“Yeah,” she rasped, “it’s getting a little shameless p>
When it came time for the vows, Hannah handed her a cup of honey water, hoping it would soothe her voice enough to speak. But when Penelope opened her mouth, she discovered she couldn’t make a sound at all. She tried coughing a few times, then tried to speak again. Nothing. Another cough. Still nothing.
A wave of panic washed over her. The entire audience was now looking at her with curious expressions.
“My wife’s throat is bothering her,” Theodore announced, taking the microphone from her hand with a reassuring wink. “I’ll read her vows for her p>
Hannah, after a moment of surprise, started to hand him the vow card, but he waved it away.
“Our lives were never meant to intersect,” he began, his voice clear and steady. “Until one day, someone had a brilliant idea, and we walked into each other’s lives p>
The brilliant Mr. Johnson, beaming with pride, stood up and waved to the crowd.
“The first time she saw me, she fell deeply in love p>
Penelope raised an eyebrow. Is that right?
Theodore smiled to himself as he continued. “She thought I was the most handsome, most charming, and most charismatic man she had ever seen, so she was instantly captivated. She decided them and there to marry me, vowing to be with me for the rest of our lives to grow old together, and to never be parted p>
“If she could speak right now, she would say to me: ‘I love you, and this love will last for all eternity p>
“She would also swear that if she, Penelope, ever had a change of heart or abandoned me for any reason, the heavens should punish her by turning her into my shadow in the next life, so she could never leave my side p>
Penelope’s eyes widened. What sane person would vow to become someone’s shadow? Forever inseparable? If shadows could talk, hers would be crying foul right
now.
It was the first time anyone had
seen a groom read the bride’s vows, and with such cheerful
self-satisfaction at that But everyone could feel the palpable happiness between the two, and they broke into spontaneous applause.
The emcee smiled. “And now, we ask the groom to read his vows p>
Theodore shot Penelope a playful look. “I accept her love p>
Penelope opened her mouth, wanting to bite him. How could he be so shameless?
Then he added, his voice softening, “But I love her more p>
And just like that, Penelope was overwhelmed with emotion. She threw her arms around his neck, no b longer wanting to bite him, only wanting to kiss him. Without waiting for the erricee’s cue, the two shared a deep and heartfelt kiss.
After the ceremony, Penelope went to the dressing room to change. Just as she finished, Rebecca and Zebulon walked in. They still seemed to be in disbelief, staring at her for a long moment.
“Penelope, it really is you,” Rebecca said, her voice trembling.