Chapter 20: No More Regrets

The morning of the wedding arrived beneath a bright blue sky, but an uneasy silence surrounded the Chilton Estate. Every entrance was guarded by security officers, snipers watched from nearby rooftops, and every guest passed through multiple security checkpoints before entering the beautifully decorated garden where the ceremony would take place.

White roses lined the aisle, crystal chandeliers sparkled beneath a transparent canopy, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers through the estate.

Inside the bridal suite, Stella looked at herself in the mirror.

She wore a breathtaking white wedding gown embroidered with delicate silver patterns. The diamond necklace Eric had given her rested gently around her neck.

Mrs. Judd adjusted her veil before wiping away tears.

'You look exactly like your grandmother did on her wedding day,' she whispered.

'Are you nervous?'

Stella smiled softly.

'A little.'

'But this time…'

'I'm walking toward someone who'll never let go of my hand.'

Meanwhile, Eric stood outside with Mason reviewing the final security report.

'Every guest has been verified,' Mason reported.

'The florist's delivery arrived this morning without incident.'

'Police officers are stationed outside the estate.'

'No suspicious activity so far.'

Eric nodded.

'Stay alert.'

'If they're planning something, it'll happen during the ceremony.'

At exactly eleven o'clock, the wedding music began.

The guests stood as Stella slowly walked down the aisle on her father's arm.

Eric waited beneath the floral arch, unable to take his eyes off her.

For a brief moment, the world around them disappeared.

No conspiracies.

No enemies.

Only the two of them.

As Stella reached him, Mr. Judd placed her hand into Eric's.

'Take care of my daughter,' he said quietly.

Eric answered without hesitation.

'With my life.'

The officiant smiled warmly.

'We are gathered here today…'

Before he could continue, Mason's earpiece suddenly crackled.

'Sir!'

'We've detected an explosive signal inside one of the flower arrangements!'

Eric's expression changed instantly.

'Evacuate everyone!'

Panic spread across the ceremony.

Security officers quickly escorted guests toward the exits while bomb disposal officers rushed forward.

Just as they reached the floral display, a loud voice echoed through hidden speakers surrounding the garden.

'Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. Chilton.'

The mysterious old man's voice made everyone freeze.

'You have five minutes.'

'Hand over Project Phoenix's evidence…'

'Or everyone here dies.'

Eric looked toward Mason.

'Delay him.'

'I'm going after the signal source.'

Stella grabbed his arm.

'We're going together.'

'No.'

'Yes.'

'We're partners, remember?'

Eric hesitated for only a second before nodding.

'Stay beside me.'

Using the signal tracker, Mason traced the transmission to the estate's greenhouse.

Eric and Stella rushed inside while security surrounded the building.

Waiting for them was the mysterious old man.

This time, he wasn't smiling.

'You came faster than I expected,' he said.

'Where's Amelia?' Stella demanded.

The old man sighed.

'Alive.'

'She has been alive all these years.'

'She refused to work for us, so we kept her hidden.'

'Everything she discovered threatened people far more powerful than the Chilton family.'

Eric stepped forward.

'Project Phoenix was never about money, was it?'

'No,' the old man admitted.

'It was about controlling River City's largest corporations through blackmail and corruption.'

'Victor Kane tried exposing us.'

'Amelia helped him.'

'Both became problems.'

'And now…'

'You've become the biggest problem of all.'

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a detonator.

Before he could press it, a gunshot echoed through the greenhouse.

Mason had fired first.

The detonator flew from the old man's hand.

Security officers stormed inside from every entrance.

Within seconds, the entire organization was surrounded.

The old man slowly lowered his head.

'So… this is how it ends.'

'Yes,' Eric replied calmly.

'It ends today.'

Several hours later, police announced the complete dismantling of Project Phoenix.

Hidden financial records, kidnapping evidence, and years of corruption were finally uncovered.

Victor Kane was rescued from a remote safe house.

Most importantly…

Amelia Brooks was found alive.

Weak but safe after years in captivity.

Before leaving with the police, Amelia approached Eric.

'I'm sorry,' she whispered.

'You spent years blaming yourself.'

Eric smiled gently.

'You're alive.'

'That's enough.'

Weeks later, after the investigations ended, Eric and Stella quietly held a private wedding ceremony with only family and close friends present.

There were no reporters.

No threats.

No conspiracies.

Only laughter, love, and peace.

When the officiant asked if Eric accepted Stella as his wife, he answered without hesitation.

'I do.'

When Stella was asked the same question, tears filled her eyes.

'I do.'

As they exchanged rings, Stella remembered the tragic ending of her previous life.

She had once believed regret was something a person carried forever.

But standing beside Eric, she finally understood the truth.

Regret only exists when people refuse to change.

She had been given a second chance.

This time, she chose trust instead of doubt.

She chose courage instead of fear.

Most importantly…

She chose the man who had chosen her from the very beginning.

Eric gently kissed her forehead as applause filled the garden.

'No more regrets,' he whispered.

Stella smiled through happy tears.

'No more regrets.'

Together, they walked toward their future—leaving behind betrayal, heartbreak, and the shadows of the past.

Hand in hand.

Forever.