"What if—" Her voice wavered. "What if you forget about me?"

Leo gently held her face and looked her straight in the eyes. "I won’t forget you. I’ll be right here when you get out. I promise."

Selina studied his face, searching for any sign of doubt, but she didn’t find any.

She leaned in and kissed him, softly and with a sense of urgency. He kissed her back, pouring everything he couldn’t say into that moment.

The officer cleared his throat. "Time’s up."

Selina pulled away. Leo grabbed her hands, held on for a second longer than he should have... then let go.

The officer stepped forward and put the cuffs on her again.

Selina looked at Leo, trying to memorize his face. "Will you wait for me?" she asked.

Leo smiled... a small, genuine smile. He didn’t hesitate. "I already am... and I’m not stopping."

The officers led her out through the side door. She looked back one last time.

Leo waved his hand, making a silent promise. Then she was gone, and the door shut behind her.

Leo stood there, staring at the empty doorway.

Zayden came over and put a hand on his shoulder. "Five years," he said softly. "She got time off for cooperating. She’ll be out sooner as long as she keeps her record clean."

Leo nodded but didn’t look away from the door.

Zayden continued, "Three years at a minimum. Maybe even less with parole."

There was a brief pause.

"You can visit, write her letters, stay in touch. It’s not done; it’s just—"

"Paused," Leo finished.

Zayden nodded. "Yeah, paused."

Leo finally turned to Zayden and said, "Thanks for chatting with the officer. I really appreciate you giving us that moment."

Zayden shrugged it off. "It’s nothing."

"It was definitely more than just nothing."

They stayed quiet for a bit. Then Leo asked again, "Do you think she’ll be alright in there?"

Zayden thought about it before answering. "She’s tougher than she looks. Plus, now she’s got something to fight for, a reason to come back."

He looked at Leo. "You."

Leo swallowed hard and nodded.

Zayden gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Let’s bounce."

They walked out of the courtroom together, down the hallway, past security, and into the bright afternoon sun.

The SUV was waiting, with Kade behind the wheel. They got in, and the SUV pulled away.

Leo stared out the window as the courthouse disappeared from sight.

Five years. It seemed like forever, but he could handle it. He’d wait.

The world moved on around him. Traffic. Voices. Life.

But for Leo... everything had just slowed down.

Because when you love someone... You wait. No matter how long it takes.

*****

One Month Later

The ocean stretched out forever under the golden glow of the evening sky.

Waves rolled in steadily, one after another, creating a calm atmosphere that everyone seemed to settle into.

The air was warm, carrying a light scent of salt and flowers. A warm breeze drifted through the rows of white chairs set up on the beach.

This private stretch of shore in The Hamptons had been turned into something simple yet perfect. Nothing over the top... just right.

It felt like the kind of peace that was deserved.

People moved around quietly, making last-minute adjustments: straightening ribbons, checking flowers, fixing things that didn’t really need fixing. It wasn’t chaotic, but it was close.

Leo stood off to the side with his hands in his pockets, watching the setup. He looked calm, but his mind was somewhere else.

Five years.

That was what he kept reminding himself... five years, and she’d be free. He could do it. He would wait.

"Stop overthinking," Reyes suddenly said, standing next to him with his arms crossed, still as chill as ever.

Leo laughed lightly. "I’m not."

"Yes, you are."

Azalea stepped in between them, linking her arm with Reyes.

"He definitely is," she said with a smile.

Reyes didn’t react much, but he instinctively held her hand anyway, just naturally. Leo noticed, his expression softening.

"Everyone’s getting soft," he muttered.

Azalea grinned. "Don’t worry. Your turn will come."

Leo looked back toward the ocean and didn’t say anything, but he believed her.

Just then, Kade walked over, adjusting his tie.

"This thing is choking me."

Leo laughed. "You look fine. Stop complaining."

"Easy for you to say. You’re not the one wearing it."

Leo smirked. "You could’ve gone for a bowtie."

Kade shot him a glare. "And look ridiculous? No thanks."

Azalea shook her head. "Guys."

Reyes spoke quietly, "It’s almost time."

They all turned to the front, where Zayden was waiting.

*****

Zayden stood near the altar, hands loosely in front of him. He seemed calm, but his eyes stayed fixed on the path ahead, waiting for her.

Zayn stepped up beside him and adjusted his brother’s collar. "You good?" he asked.

Zayden nodded. "Yeah."

"Are you sure? Because you look like you might faint."

Zayden shot him a look. "I’m fine."

Zayn grinned. "Just making sure. Last chance to bail, you know."

"Not gonna happen."

"Good. Because Mom would go nuts, then come after you, then me, then you again."

Zayden’s expression softened as Zayn gave his shoulder a friendly pat.

"She’s lucky to have you," Zayn said.

There was a quick pause.

"And you’re lucky to have her."

Zayden looked at his brother and met his eyes.

"I know."

Zayn stepped back and took his spot with the other groomsmen. Liam was there too, with Reyes and Leo beside him, all looking sharp in their suits, all just waiting.

In the front row, Enzo and Isabella were sitting together. Isabella was already dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Enzo took her hand.

"He’s getting married, not heading off to war," he said.

Isabella sniffled. "I know. But my baby—"

"Is all grown up."

"Still my baby."

Enzo smiled and squeezed her hand, knowing it was better not to argue.

Emma sat next to them with Ella and Sarah. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Ella could hardly contain herself with excitement, trying her best to sit still but clearly struggling.

She leaned over to Emma and said loudly, "Is Aylin going to wear a crown?"

Emma let out a quiet laugh and replied, "Nope, just a veil."

Ella frowned. "But Zayden is like a king. So she should totally be a queen, right?"

Emma laughed softly. "Something like that."

Sarah gently put a hand on Ella’s shoulder. "Shh, sweetie. It’s almost starting."

Ella settled back, bouncing a little in her seat.

William was on the other side of Sarah, quiet and respectful. But his hand rested on the back of Sarah’s chair, close and protective. She leaned toward him slightly, and he smiled back.

The sun hung lower, turning the sky into gold and soft orange.

Then, the music started... soft and slow, played by a string quartet.

Everything changed. Conversations quieted, and heads turned.

Ayla appeared first, walking down the aisle in a pale blue dress... elegant and simple.

She caught Liam’s eye, and he smiled. She winked and took her place at the front.

Azalea followed, walking confidently with her head held high and shoulders back. Her gaze found Reyes.

He was watching. Always watching. She smiled at him, and even though he didn’t smile back, the corner of his mouth twitched just a bit.

Then the music shifted, becoming slower and deeper.

The wedding march began. Everyone stood and turned to face the entrance, and then she showed up... Aylin!

As Aylin stepped into view, it felt like time stopped.

Her dress was simple... white and flowing, no over-the-top lace or heavy embellishments. It had clean lines and soft fabric that moved with the breeze.

A light veil framed her face... sheer and weightless. Her eyes were steady and full; she wasn’t scared, broken, or lost... just really present.

She walked alone... because this was her choice. She chose him.

Every step was quiet and certain. Her eyes never left Zayden.

And Zayden... Not when it came to her. Never when it came to her.

He watched her, and for the first time in a long while, he let himself feel everything... love, fear, hope.

Aylin reached the altar and stopped right in front of him.

Neither of them spoke.

Then Zayden said quietly, "You made it."

Aylin grinned. "So did you."

The officiant moved a bit closer. He was an older guy with kind eyes and a friendly smile.

"Friends and family, we’re here today to celebrate the marriage of Zayden Cole Virelli and Aylin Monroe Alston."

But no one was really paying attention to the usual words.

Everyone watched Zayden and Aylin, two people who had been through a lot and still found each other.