Rivals Redemption

chapter 99 : Forever bound

Rowan Cortez

The days leading up to the wedding felt like a whirlwind, but I had one thing on my mind that I needed to share with Tina before we stood in front of everyone. It wasn't that I had doubts-far from it. I had never been more certain about anything in my life. But there was something I wanted her to understand about how I saw this next step we were about to take.

We were sitting together on the balcony of our place, the night air cool against our skin as we overlooked the city. Tina was relaxed, her head resting on my shoulder, and I could feel her heartbeat, steady and calm, against me. It was the perfect moment, just us, away from the chaos of wedding preparations.

"Tina," I said softly, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

She shifted, looking up at me with those eyes that always saw right through me, understanding and curious. "Yeah?"

I took a deep breath, turning slightly to face her, my hands resting on hers. "There's something I need to tell you before we get married."

Her brow furrowed, and I could see a flicker of concern in her expression. "Okay... what is it?"

I hesitated for a second, gathering my thoughts. "I don't believe in marriage. At least, not the way a lot of people see it. The idea of putting a ring on your finger and telling you to take it off later, like it's just some formality that can be undone... that's not what this means to me."

Her eyes softened as she listened, her grip on my hands tightening slightly.

"I believe in loyalty," I continued. "I believe in being with someone through everything-every challenge, every success, every moment that makes life worth living. That's what I want with you. I don't need the ceremony or the legal stuff to tell me that I'm yours and you're mine. I already know that, and I have for a long time. You're my family, Tina. You're my home."

She was silent for a moment, and I could see her blinking back tears. I smiled, reaching up to gently brush her cheek. "I believe in you. I believe in us. And this wedding? It's just a celebration of what we already have. I don't need vows to know that I'm never leaving your side."

Tina finally spoke, her voice quiet but steady. "Rowan... I don't know what to say. That's... beautiful. And I feel the same way. I've never doubted us, not for a second. This wedding isn't about proving anything to anyone else. It's about us committing to what we've already built."

I nodded, feeling the weight of everything settle around us, but in a good way. "Exactly. I want you to know that no matter what happens, no matter what life throws our way, I'm always going to be here. Not because we signed a piece of paper, but because I love you. And that's never going to change."

Tina smiled, her tears now falling freely as she leaned into me, pressing her forehead against mine. "You always know what to say, Rowan. And I love you, too. More than I can ever put into words. This wedding is going to be amazing, but I'm just excited to spend the rest of my life with you."

We sat there for a while longer, wrapped up in each other, knowing that whatever the future held, we were ready to face it together. The wedding was just the beginning of a new chapter in our story, but the foundation had already been set. Loyalty, love, and belief in each other-that's all we needed.

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Tina's POV

It was finally here. My wedding day. The day I had been dreaming about for months, and now that it was real, I could hardly believe it. Excitement and nervousness swirled inside me as I stood in the dressing room, looking at my reflection in the mirror. My wedding gown was everything I had imagined-delicate lace, flowing fabric, and a design that made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. But more than that, I felt like a bride ready to marry the love of my life, Rowan.