The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 394

Chapter 394

Aria’s POV

1 rose, and the world seemed to tilt. Anna steadied me, concern flashing across her face. “Are you

“Fine.” I wasn’t fine. My father waited outside, ready to walk me down the aisle. The man whod poisoned my second family over me time and again, would place my hand in Devons and smile for the cameras.

The irony wasn’t lost on me.

The doors opened, and there he stood. William Harper, looking distinguished in his tuxedo, her hair perfectly styled Bat and when he extended his arm. I noticed his hand trembling.

“Aria.” His voice cracked. “You look… you look just like your mother did on our wedding day

I said nothing, merely took his arm. His trembling increased

“I know I’ve falled you,” he whispered as we waited for our cue. “I know you’ll never forgive me. But please, just for today-

“Don’t.” I kept my eyes forward. “Dont ask me to pretend everything’s fine. Not today,”

The organ

swelled, and the doors swung open.

The walk down the aisle felt both eternal and instantaneous. Faces blurred past–Christopher Quinn with his ames looking uncomfortable in his morning coat, Caroline radiant in pale blue. 1 saw Eleanor Kane in the front row

But all of that faded when I saw Devon.

He stood at the altar in a midnight blue tuxedo, his gray eyes locked on ming with an intensity that made

I forgot about everything che–the revenge, the secrets, the lies. There was only him, looking at

world.

I

My father placed my hand in Desons, and I felt the transfer of ownership like a physical thing. Devons fingers closed around mine, warn and steady, and something in my chest loosened

“Dearly beloved, the minister began, his voice echoing through the vaulted ceiling. We are gathered here todas…”

I barely heard the words. Devons thumb traced circles on my palmi, a

1, a small gesture of comfort that no

ort that no one else on

time for the vows, his voice tang clear and strong

C

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Chapter 394

*T, Devon Kane, take you, Aria Harper, to be my 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 us part,”

He paused, his eyes boring into mine. “From this day forward, you will never be alone. I promise you that.”

My throat tightened. When it was my turn, I had to force the words past the lump of emotion. “1/

1. 1. Aria Ha

Harper, take you, Devon Kane..

Mom, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. But I swear, I’ll make them pay.

“I do, I whispered.

Devon’s eyes softened, and he leaned in to kiss me. It was chaste, appropriate for

or the setting, but I felt the promise in it. The protection.

The partnership.

Around us, the church erupted in applause. But in the third row, I caught sight of elderly Mrs. Pemberton leaning to her companion.

“Doesn’t she look just like Elizabeth did? Poor girl…..”

The reception at The Plaza was everything Devon had promised–opulent, elegant, and precisely orchestrated. Crystal chandeliers cast prismatic light across tables adorned with white roses and gold accents. A string quartet played softly as guests mingled, champagne

Пlowing freely.

Devon kept me close, his hand never leaving the small of my back as we made our rounds. He introduced me as his wife–his wife–and each time, I felt a strange mixture of security and suffocation.

Then came the toasts.

Devon rose, and the room fell silent. He lifted his champagne flute, his gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd before settling on me.

“Thank you all for being here to witness the most important day of my life. His voice carried easily, commanding attention. “Many of you know me as a businessman, an investor, someone who values control and precision above all else.”

A ripple of knowing laughter.

“But what you may not know,” he continued, his tone shifting, “is that I’ve found something more valuable than any deal, any acquisition. any fortune.” He turned to me fully. “Aria, you’ve given me something I didn’t know I needed. A home. A partner. A future.”

My e

eyes burned.

“So I want to make something very clear to everyone here.” His voice hardened, taking on an edge that made several people shift uncomfortably. “From this day forward, Aria’s concerns are my concerns. Her battles are my battles. Whatever challenges she faces, whatever obstacles arise, I will stand beside her. And anyone who threatens her- He paused, letting the words hang. “Well, they answer

to me.

19:47 Fri, Jan 16

Chapter 394

The room went utterly silent.

Then Christopher broke the spell with a loud “Hear, hear!” and the crowd erupted into applause. But I saw the way several people

exchanged glances. Marianne Blake’s face had gone white. My father gripped his glass so tightly I thought it might shatter.

Devon’s message was unmistakable: he’d just declared war on anyone who’d hurt me.

And everyone in this room knew exactly who he meant.

Hours later, as the reception wound down, I escaped to the bridal suite for a moment alone. The Manhattan skyline glittered beyond the

windows, a sea of lights stretching toward infinity.

I touched the necklace at my throat, and my mother’s voice echoed in my memory.

“Be strong, baby girl. Be stronger than I was.”

“I am, Mom,” I whispered to the empty room. “I’m standing here, not as daddy’s little girl or anyone’s victim. Devon’s given me power, but

I know My voice caught. “I know there are some battles I have to fight alone.

A soft knock. “Aria?” Sophia peeked in. “They te waiting for you to throw the bouquet.”

I turned to her, and for a moment, we just looked at each other. Her eyes were red–rimmed, and I knew–1 knew–that whatever secret she

carried was tearing her apart.

“Soon,” she said quietly. “I’ll tell you soon. I promise.”

I nodded, swallowing past the tightness in my throat. Then I straightened my shoulders, pasted on my brightest smile, and linked my arm

through hers.

“Let’s give them a show,” I murmured.

As we walked back into the ballroom, the weight of my mother’s necklace settled against my skin–a reminder of what I’d lost and what 1 still had to do. I raised the bouquet high, and as it arced through the air toward the reaching hands of eager bridesmaids, I caught my

reflection in the mirrored wall.

The bride smiled serenely, radiantly happy.

But her eyes–her eyes burned with quiet, terrible purpose.

This isn’t the end, Mom. It’s just the beginning..

Caroline’s surprised hands, and the crowd cheered. Devon materialized at my side, pressing a kiss to my temple.

The bouquet landed in Ca

red against my