Chapter 10
Raelyn’s wedding car drove into the Blackstone family estate.
The vast manor had been elaborately decorated for the wedding.
When Raelyn stepped out of the car, the entire Blackstone family was waiting at the entrance, not a single person missing.
At the front stood an imposing elderly man.
Upon seeing Raelyn approach, he bowed deeply to her.
“I’m sorry, young lady. It’s this old man’s selfishness that has wronged you.”
“I know marriage might not save Vincent, but at this point, I don’t want to give up even the slightest hope.”
“Rest assured, if Vincent truly can’t pull through, we won’t make you live as a widow. We’ll treat you as a true member of our family, as my own granddaughter.”
“Any request you have, I can fulfill.”
Raelyn was startled and quickly moved forward to support the elder Mr. Blackstone.
Her gaze turned to Mrs. Blackstone, who looked at her with loving eyes.
Such a warm gaze-something even her biological parents had never given her.
Raelyn felt a lump in her throat.
For the past twenty-some years, she had viewed the Winters family as everything.
Fearing abandonment and rejection.
Clinging to the small bit of hope the Winters family had given her.
If it weren’t for Skylar repeatedly shattering her illusions, she would still be the Winters family’s most loyal daughter, willing to do anything for them.
But leaving the Winters family, she entered what others considered a den of wolves.
Yet here, these people told her she would receive family and love.
How absurd it all seemed.
Raelyn looked at the tears in the eyes of the Blackstone family members, her emotions in turmoil.
Mrs. Blackstone led Raelyn into the house.
“From now on, you can call me Aunt Blackstone, and them Uncle Blackstone and Grandpa Blackstone.”
“If Vincent truly overcomes this ordeal, and you develop genuine feelings for each other, you can change how you address us later.”
They walked through the garden and into a private detached villa at the back.
In the room with the best sunlight, she saw a man lying there, his body connected to numerous tubes.
He couldn’t wear a suit, but a smoke-gray formal outfit was laid out nearby.
The Blackstone family had prepared neither a marriage certificate nor a wedding agreement.
They knew this wedding was a desperate measure with no guarantees.
As Raelyn moved closer, she saw that Vincent, though pale and weak, had been kept extremely clean and neat.
Even though he had lost muscle from lying immobile for so long, he still looked like a young man of integrity and strength.
She suddenly felt a twinge of envy.
Vincent possessed what she had desperately sought but never received-genuine family love.
And a life of profound meaning.
Raelyn recited the wedding vows herself, then bowed to Vincent as he lay there.
The Blackstone family members nodded repeatedly with reddened eyes, finally showing some joy on their faces.
Just as everyone’s emotions were beginning to relax, the medical equipment suddenly emitted a sharp alarm.
The ECG monitor showing Vincent’s heartbeat abruptly flatlined.
Despite being prepared for the worst, Mrs. Blackstone couldn’t catch her breath and fell backward, supported by Mr. Blackstone.
Grandpa Blackstone’s cane clattered to the floor.
Raelyn was startled as well. But in the next second, a miracle truly happened!
The alarm stopped.
The ECG showed one peak, then a second, then a third… As the heart monitor displayed stable beats, Vincent, who had been unconscious for nearly two months, opened his eyes.
The first person he saw when he woke was Raelyn.
The man’s gaze gradually focused.
Raelyn suddenly saw something like stars twinkling in his eyes.
