Twisted Ties of Love (Izabella Salotti and Brett) novel Chapter 564

"Wedding?" Casey stuttered, the word seeming to trip over his tongue.

"Yeah, didn't we talk about having a small ceremony? Just close family and friends. We'll keep it simple, maybe a little vintage charm with some white lace. If this were in the old days, I'd probably have a procession with horse-drawn carriages," Izabella said with a twinkle in her eye, her laughter bubbling up uncontrollably as she pictured it.

"You really want to marry me?" His ears tinged pink, his heartbeat thundering so loudly he almost thought he was hallucinating.

As his pupils dilated, reminiscent of a startled cat, Izabella watched his uneasy gaze and reached out to caress his warm earlobe, teasingly. "What are you talking about? I'm already yours, remember? Didn't we file for that marriage license at city hall? You even got down on one knee to propose. We just haven't announced it to everyone yet. I plan to marry only once in my life, so Casey, there's no escaping me. I'll never divorce you."

Casey froze, a bittersweet sensation flooding his chest. He grasped Izabella's hand, covering her slender fingers with his palm. His voice tightened as he asked, "What if I turn back into Ryker? What if I become that fool again?" He'd been feeling out of sorts these days, memories of his past self, the simple-minded Ryker, flashing through his mind.

Izabella's eyes shone brightly as she leaned in, their foreheads touching, sharing each other's breath. "I want the star actor Casey, and I want the fool Ryker too. I don't care which you are; all that matters is that you are you."

He was the one who had silently protected her, the one who had always stood by her side with unwavering faith.

"I won't run away, and you're not allowed to either," Izabella declared, tilting her face to press her lips against Casey's.

"I won't give you the chance to run either," Casey replied.