Aaron wasn't supposed to be there.
He'd promised Naarah and Stacey he'd wait until the wedding day to see Mina in her dress. But the boutique door was half open, and curiosity — no, love — betrayed him.
He stepped inside quietly, staying behind one of the curtains. His breath hitched the moment he saw her through the mirror.
Mina stood on the platform, her gown glittering with a thousand tiny stars. The way the diamonds caught the light made her glow. But it wasn't the dress that stole his breath — it was the woman wearing it.
He didn't see the fierce fighter, or the guarded woman who'd survived him. He saw the love of his life, the mother of his child, the calm after years of storm. His chest tightened painfully, eyes stinging as the reality settled in: he was actually going to marry her.
Ken, who had been dragged along by Stacey, appeared beside him, quietly whistling. "Man, you look like you just saw an angel descend."
Aaron blinked. "That's exactly what I saw."
Ken snorted. "Romantic fool."
As he stretched, his shirt lifted slightly — revealing a small tattoo inked on his ribs: a crescent moon entwined with a rose.
Aaron frowned. "Since when do you have a tattoo?"
Ken grinned. "Since Stacey and I got matching ones. Hers has the sun; mine has the moon. She said it means we're always chasing each other's light."
Aaron blinked, thoughtful, gaze flicking back to Mina.
When she turned — catching his reflection in the mirror — her lips parted. "Aaron," she whispered, smiling through surprise.
He stepped forward, slow and reverent, until they were close enough for him to reach out and take her hand. "You're not supposed to see me," she said, though she didn't pull away.
"I couldn't help it." His voice was low, unsteady. "You're… you're unreal, Mina."
She laughed softly, eyes shimmering. "You're supposed to save that line for the wedding vows."
He smiled — a real, boyish one that melted years of hardness from his face. "Then consider it practice."
His gaze dropped briefly to her bare wrist, and an idea sparked. "You know," he murmured, thumb brushing her skin, "Ken and Stacey got matching tattoos."
"Oh?" she teased. "And what does that have to do with you?"
He leaned closer, grin shy but full of mischief. "It means I'm officially jealous. I want one with you too."
Mina arched a brow, amused. "You, with a matching tattoo?"
"Why not?" he said softly. "You marked my soul years ago, princesa. Might as well make it official."
She laughed — that sweet, quiet laugh he loved more than any sound in the world — and rested her forehead against his. "We'll see," she whispered.
Aaron smiled, brushing his thumb over her cheek. "That's all the yes I need."
And in that small, glowing room full of light, diamonds, and the promise of forever — Aaron Vetercio, the man who once ruled with fire, stood completely, irrevocably in love.