Gabriel's Obsession

Bound by Vows and Secrets

"Mr. Gabriel Hamilton, do you take Ms. Amelia Hutton to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

The priest's solemn voice echoed through the grand chapel, weaving into the hushed anticipation of the gathered guests. All eyes were on Gabriel, but his focus was solely on the woman standing before him—the one who had become the center of his universe.

"I do," he answered, his voice steady, unwavering. His sea-blue eyes locked onto Amelia's hazel-blue ones, holding her gaze with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

The priest turned to her, his expression kind, encouraging. "And do you, Ms. Amelia Hutton, take Mr. Gabriel Hamilton to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

A moment stretched between them, the weight of the vow settling in her heart. With a deep breath, she lifted her chin and smiled softly. "I do." Her voice rang with certainty, with love.

A ripple of emotion passed through the chapel, like an invisible thread binding them together in the eyes of God and man. The priest offered a blessing over their union, his words a sacred seal upon the vows they had exchanged.

"What God has joined together, let no one put asunder."

Gabriel reached for her hand, his touch warm and sure as he slid a breathtaking diamond ring onto her delicate finger. His thumb brushed over her skin as he whispered, "Amelia, receive this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity." The reverence in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

In turn, she took his hand, slipping a silver band onto his finger, mirroring the sacred promise. The simple gesture carried the weight of forever.

With the signing of the marriage certificate, their bond was not only spoken but written—etched into the pages of time.

The priest's voice rang out one final declaration, sending a wave of exhilaration through the room. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Before the words had fully settled, Gabriel closed the distance between them, claiming her lips in a deep, passionate kiss—one that spoke of possession, devotion, and an unyielding promise. A collective gasp swept through the guests, followed by cheers and applause. Angelica, ever the spirited one, let out an excited whoop, her laughter mingling with the jubilant sounds of celebration.

And yet, amidst the joy, two figures remained notably absent—Gabriel's parents.

If the absence of his mother and father affected him, he gave no sign of it. Instead, his grip on Amelia tightened, his lips brushing her ear as he murmured, "You're mine now, angel. Legally. Irrevocably."

And with those words, he sealed her fate.

*********************************

Amelia and Gabriel sat side by side in the back of a sleek black limousine, the hum of the engine a soft undertone to the silence between them. The air inside was thick with a blend of joy and unspoken thoughts, the weight of unfulfilled expectations lingering just beneath the surface.

Although Amelia was elated—her heart still fluttering from the vows they had exchanged—an undeniable sadness clung to her. The empty seats where Gabriel's parents should have been loomed in her mind like shadows over an otherwise perfect day.

"What's on your mind, my dear wife?" Gabriel's voice, rich and teasing, broke through the quiet, snapping her from her thoughts.

Her heart skipped a beat at the endearment. My dear wife. The words felt both foreign and intoxicating, a reminder that her life had just changed forever.