Broken Bond: Claimed by My Ex-Husband's Alpha Billionaire Uncle

Chapter 152: Mr. Groom, Give Her the Ring First

Even though her face was covered by a veil, Damon could still vaguely see her features behind it, and it was enough to make his chest tighten.

His throat suddenly felt dry, and his hands were trembling. Because no matter how many times he imagined this moment, nothing could prepare him for how beautiful she looked in reality.

As Charlotte got closer, Damon could see her soft smile behind the veil, like she was just as happy as he was.

He wanted to move.

He wanted to run to her.

But Louis, standing beside him, subtly cleared his throat, reminding Damon that he still had to act like a proper groom. Damon forced himself to stay still, even though everything inside him was screaming for him to pull her into his arms already.

When Charlotte finally reached the altar, Derek gently guided her closer, then slowly placed her hand into Damon’s.

"Remember," Derek said in a low voice, "I’m giving you my daughter, so please, treat her gently and with kindness."

Damon nodded without hesitation. "Of course, sir."

Derek’s jaw clenched. He looked like he wanted to say ten more threats, but the sight of Charlotte standing there in her wedding dress made his eyes turn red again.

So instead of threatening Damon, Derek only said one thing. "Make her happy."

Damon’s gaze softened. His voice came out firm and sincere. "I will," he promised.

The moment Charlotte stepped up onto the podium and took Damon’s hand, Louis finally raised his voice and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today, and to witness a love story that wasn’t born from an easy life, but from strength, patience, and the courage to start over."

Louis glanced at Charlotte, then at Damon, smiling like someone who had waited a long time to see them stand here like this. "Today, we are not just celebrating a wedding," Louis continued. "We are celebrating a new beginning."

The children from the rescue facility sat quietly in their corner, watching with wide eyes, holding onto their caretakers’ hands. They didn’t fully understand everything, but they could feel the warmth in the air, and they could feel that this was something good.

Louis took a small breath, then nodded as if confirming his own thoughts. "Damon Sullivan," he called, turning toward the groom, "you’ve loved this woman for longer than most people can imagine."

Damon’s fingers tightened around Charlotte’s, his voice calm but deep. "Yes," he answered.

He paused, then asked clearly, "Do you, Damon Sullivan, take Charlotte Dawson as your wife to love her, protect her, and stay by her side for the rest of your life?"

Damon didn’t hesitate for even a second. "I do," he said firmly. "With all my heart, I do."

Charlotte’s chest tightened. She squeezed his hand, feeling warmth spread through her entire body.

Louis smiled and turned toward Charlotte. "Charlotte Dawson," Louis said gently, "you have survived the kind of pain that should have destroyed anyone."

Louis continued, "Yet you are here, still brave, still kind, still full of light." He asked, "Do you, Charlotte Dawson, take Damon Sullivan as your husband to love him, trust him, and walk beside him for the rest of your life?"

Charlotte’s voice shook, not because she was uncertain, but because she was overwhelmed with happiness. "I do," she whispered, smiling through tears. "I do."

Louis smiled warmly, as if he had been waiting for that answer just as much as Damon had. "Wonderful," he said. Then he glanced at Damon. "Groom, are you ready for the next step?"

"Yes," Damon answered, his voice low. "I’m ready."

Louis nodded, then took a small step back to give them space. "Then, Damon Sullivan," Louis said clearly, "you may lift the veil."

Damon slowly raised his hand. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached for the edge of Charlotte’s veil.

Charlotte held her breath. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribs, and she could also feel Damon’s nervousness through the gentle shake of his hand.

The moment he lifted her veil, she immediately smiled sweetly at him and looked at him with eyes full of love. Before she could say anything, Damon suddenly leaned forward and kissed her lips.

Louis, who was standing behind them, gasped silently. He then turned to look at the guests while shaking his head, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Like he wanted to scream, "Can you two at least wait until I finish the ceremony?!" but he also didn’t want to ruin the moment.

For a few seconds, the entire garden froze. Then the guests burst into laughter and cheers.

Some clapped loudly, some whistled, and some even screamed like they were watching the ending scene of a romantic drama.

"Awww!"

"They kissed already!"

"He really couldn’t wait!"

The moment Damon pulled away from the kiss, Louis cleared his throat and said in a calm voice, "At least give your wife the wedding ring first, Mr. Groom."

The guests burst into laughter again.

Some of them tried to hold it in, covering their mouths politely, but it was useless. The whole garden was filled with warm giggles and teasing whispers.

Damon didn’t look embarrassed at all. If anything, he looked proud.

Charlotte’s cheeks were bright red, her lips still a little swollen from the kiss. Her eyes were shining too, as if she was trying to hold back happy tears.

"I’m sorry," he whispered. "I just..."

Charlotte smiled. "I know."

Not long after that, the flower girl—Haven—finally walked up to them, holding the basket filled wedding rings with both hands like she was carrying something extremely important.

Damon lowered himself slightly so he could meet Haven at eye level. He took the rings gently from the small basket and whispered warmly, "Thank you, sweetheart."

Haven puffed her chest proudly. "You’re welcome!"

Damon then took Charlotte’s hand and looked into her eyes. "Charlotte," Damon began. "I promise you..."

He slid the ring onto her ring finger slowly, as if sealing each word into her skin.

"...I will protect our family. I will protect it with everything I have," he said. "With my life, my strength, and my name."

"No matter what happens, I will make sure the two of us will never be broken apart."

Charlotte blinked, then suddenly let out a tiny laugh, startling Damon. He asked in confusion, "What?"

Charlotte leaned closer, her eyes shining. "It’s not just the two of us anymore," she whispered.