He Gambled Away Our Bonding Ceremony and Now He’s Begging for It Back Chapter 09

He Gambled Away Our Bonding Ceremony and Now He’s Begging for It Back Chapter 09

Aldric came by the studio. Stood outside with a bouquet for four hours. I had the front desk return it.

Unopened.

The next day, he sent over a thick ceremony proposal. Dress to banquet. Every detail redone to match what

I’d once wanted.

The last page read: [This time, every choice belongs to you.]

I didn’t read it twice. Late respect was just another form of self-flattery.

Bianca found me after losing her case. Court ordered her to return the ring and pay damages.

She’d lost her job. Credit was wrecked. She didn’t look anything like the smug girl from the ceremony.

“Iris. It was just a prank. We’ve known each other over a decade. Are you really going to watch me lose

everything?”

I looked at her. Calm.

“When you put on my dress and used my money for the ceremony, did you think about the decade we’d

known each other?”

Her face went pale. “I just wanted to prove I mattered more. I didn’t think it would go this far.”

“You proved it. Now the cost is yours.”

I opened the door for her.

Bianca walked out and ran straight into Aldric.

They stared across the hallway. Once, one look between them was enough to make a joke out of me. Now,

there was only disgust.

Bianca laughed at him. “Aldric. What good is regret? You were the one who said yes. Every bet. You’re the

one who lost her.”

Aldric stood there, the last blood draining from his face.

The case closed six months later.

Aldric had illegally accessed my account. Fraudulently authorized a large transfer with my identity. Evidence

was overwhelming.

His family made full restitution. He still faced legal consequences.

Before sentencing, his attorney brought me a letter. No more pleas to drop the charges. One line:

[Iris. This time, I lost.]

I closed it. Even at the end, he still measured us by winning and losing. But love was never a bet. And no one

should have to stand still, waiting for someone else to finish playing.

That winter, I took my parents to the island where I’d planned my honeymoon.

First time on a plane. My father arrived three hours early. Clutched his passport the whole way. Terrified of

the wrong gate.

My mother pressed her face to the window, watching clouds fall away beneath her feet. Smiling like a child.

The day we got to the ocean, the sunset was beautiful.

The three of us walked barefoot on the sand. Asked a stranger to take a photo.

In it, my parents stand beside me. No expensive gown. No lavish ceremony. But everyone is smiling. Open. At

peace.

My mother asked, “Sweetheart. Do you think you’ll love someone again?”

I looked out at the sea, gold in the sunset.

“Maybe. Maybe not. But whether or not someone loves me, I’ll live my life well.”

My phone buzzed. An unknown number:

[Iris. I’ll wait for you. Always.]

I deleted it without replying. Took my parents’ arms. Walked toward the waves.

Aldric bet on me more times than I could count. Thought he’d never lose.

This time, I stopped being his wager.

And I finally won myself back.