Chapter 160: Wrapped in Golden Vows
"Are we set?" Roman’s deep voice filled the quiet room as he pushed the door open to the changing chamber.
Julie, who had been standing in front of the tall gilded mirror, turned slightly.
The golden gown she wore shimmered beneath the crystal lights, its surface scattered with tiny orange stones that caught and reflected the glow like drops of molten sunlight.
Her delicate hands smoothed over the fabric nervously, tracing the embroidered patterns as though she still couldn’t believe she was the one wearing such beauty.
When she saw Roman’s reflection approaching, her lips parted softly.
"Roman," she breathed, her voice carrying a mixture of relief and warmth.
He closed the distance between them with the steady confidence that belonged to him alone.
The faint sound of his polished shoes against the marble floor seemed to echo in her chest more than in the room.
Without hesitation, he slipped his arms around her waist, drawing her into his embrace.
His presence was commanding, protective—yet the touch of his hands on her gown was gentle, reverent.
Julie’s breath caught as his chest pressed against her back.
She tilted her head just enough to catch his eyes in the mirror, and when their gazes collided, the world outside ceased to exist.
Roman’s eyes were steady, smoldering with the kind of intensity that made her knees weaken.
Yet beneath that sharp power lingered something only she was privileged to see—a softness, a quiet admiration reserved entirely for her.
His lips curved into the faintest smile, the kind that reached his eyes, melting away the steel that so often defined him.
Julie’s own expression softened instantly.
Her lashes lowered as if to shield the shyness blooming inside her, but she couldn’t resist smiling back. It was small, almost hesitant, but no less radiant.
The kind of smile that revealed her heart had surrendered to his warmth, even if her voice hadn’t said it aloud.
Her reflection in the mirror was transformed: no longer just a young woman in a dazzling gown, but a woman cherished—her beauty amplified by the way Roman looked at her.
The faint scent of his cologne, dark and woody, lingered in the air, blending with the fragrance of fresh lilies arranged at the corner of the room.
Julie’s pulse quickened, her fingers twitching slightly as though they longed to reach for him, but his embrace was firm, keeping her safely folded within his arms.
Neither of them spoke immediately. They didn’t need to.
The silence was filled with the rhythm of their breaths, the subtle beat of his heart against her back, the golden hush of a moment that belonged only to them.
When Roman finally lowered his head slightly, brushing his lips near her temple without fully touching, Julie felt her smile widen.
She leaned into him, her reflection glowing brighter with that unspoken truth shimmering between them: in this vast, demanding world, they had found their safe place—in each other.
"You look beautiful, my love," Roman murmured, his voice warm yet commanding, the kind of tone that wrapped itself around Julie like velvet.
Julie’s face immediately bloomed with a flush of crimson—the exact shade Roman secretly adored.
He knew it well by now; she always blushed when he called her love.
Her lips curved shyly as she whispered back, "You also look handsome... hubby."
The last word was so faint, barely breathed out, yet Roman heard it as if she had shouted it.
His sharp ears, attuned only to her, caught every syllable.
His lips twitched into a smile, slow and dangerous, the kind of smile that promised mischief.
"What did you say?" he asked, tilting his head as though he hadn’t heard her properly. But he had.
He only wanted to hear the word again, rolling off her tongue, soft and sweet, just for him.
Julie’s lashes fluttered as she looked away, pretending not to notice the question. As expected, she tried to escape answering.
Rising onto her toes, she leaned in quickly and pressed a delicate kiss on his cheek, a fleeting touch that left his skin tingling with warmth.
But before she could retreat completely, she whispered again, barely above a breath, "Hubby."
The word slipped out with a small, hesitant smile tugging at her lips, her eyes lifting to meet his fathomless gaze.
Roman’s chest tightened. That one word, spoken softly, held more power than any title or wealth he owned.
For a moment, he simply stared at her, drinking in the sight.
Julie stood radiant in the golden gown he had personally overseen—the fabric hugging her body at all the right places, modest yet undeniably captivating.
Tiny orange stones glittered like trapped firelight, catching every angle of illumination as she moved.
The gown was fitted perfectly, so much so that Roman’s jaw clenched with satisfaction.
He remembered that day well—the day he had called the designer to their home.
He had skipped his office on purpose, unwilling to risk another man laying eyes on her body even in fabric measurements.
He had described every detail with precision: the color, the cut, the length, even the way it should catch the light.
All of it designed to make her look breathtaking while ensuring no other eyes could claim more than what he allowed.
Now, seeing her before him, the final result exceeded even his imagination.
She was his dream made flesh, his wife, his partner, his forever.
And in his heart, one vow echoed with certainty: No matter what, you are mine.
No matter how harsh life becomes, I will always make you happy.
Roman’s dark eyes softened with a serenity so deep it could melt any heart, though his was locked firmly on Julie alone.
His gaze held her as though the entire universe had shrunk to fit only the two of them in that room.
Julie, overwhelmed, lowered her eyes shyly, her lips curving in a quiet smile as she turned back toward the mirror.
But before she could steady herself, she suddenly felt strong arms sweep around her knees from behind.
"Ah—Rome!" she gasped, instinctively clutching at his shoulders as she was lifted effortlessly into the air.
Her voice trembled with both surprise and laughter, and the new name she called him—Rome—rang in his ears like music.
Roman’s grin widened. He liked that name on her lips. No, he loved it.
"Let’s go," he said simply, his voice low but laced with happiness.
Julie nodded, still blushing furiously, her hands curling into his tuxedo for balance.
Roman’s stride was firm, unhurried, as though carrying her was the most natural thing in the world.
He walked with the confidence of a man who owned not just the mansion but every star in the sky—and yet his treasure was the woman in his arms.
The golden gown spilled around her like liquid sunlight as he descended the grand staircase, the fabric glimmering with each step.
The air smelled faintly of polished wood and roses from the vases lining the hallway.
Staff members who caught the sight lowered their gazes respectfully, careful not to intrude upon their master’s private joy.
Roman didn’t spare them a glance; his focus was entirely on Julie.
She, meanwhile, tucked her face against his chest, hiding the wild blush that refused to fade.
She could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath the expensive black tuxedo, its rhythm strangely calming even as hers raced wildly.
When they reached the car waiting outside, the evening air greeted them with a cool embrace.
The faint hum of cicadas mixed with the distant preparation noises from the estate’s courtyard.
"Malone, open the door," Roman ordered, his voice deep but threaded with unmistakable happiness.
"Yes, sir." The butler hurried forward, bowing low as he swung the car door open with practiced grace.
Roman carefully set Julie down onto the leather seat, his movements gentle despite the power in his arms.
As he leaned in to adjust the hem of her gown so it wouldn’t snag, his eyes met hers again, and for a heartbeat, he simply lingered there, close enough for her to feel his breath.
Then, with the roguish charm only he could manage, he winked.
Julie’s eyes widened, and a soft giggle escaped her lips before she could stop it.
The sound was light, musical, filling the night air with a joy so pure that Roman’s smile deepened.
Sliding in beside her, he closed the door, enclosing them in a cocoon of intimacy even before the party began.
Outside, engines hummed and the world awaited, but for Roman and Julie, in that stolen moment, nothing else mattered.
Hi lovely.
"Love, trust, and patience are not found—they are built. Life will test bonds with storms and shadows, yet what endures is the choice to hold on. True strength lies not in wealth or power, but in the quiet devotion to protect, forgive, and grow together."
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