Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 214: Family of five

Chapter 214: Family of five

"Move! Move! Where are the grooms?! The ceremony will start in a few minutes! Tell them to take their positions already!" Diva’s shouts echoed in the hall leading to the garden.

The garden was a vision of springtime beauty, with every detail reflecting the season’s full bloom. A vibrant carpet of grass stretched beneath the sky, bathed in the golden light of the afternoon sun.

The entire space was a burst of color, with flowers of every kind—roses, peonies, hydrangeas, and delicate daisies—adorning every corner. The air was fragrant with their scent, creating an atmosphere that felt like stepping into a dream.

At the heart of the garden was the focal point of the wedding, a stunning mirrored pathway. The pathway, sleek and reflective, seemed to stretch like an endless glass river, capturing the sky above and the flowers beside it.

Each step along the way mirrored the beauty surrounding it, doubling the colors of the floral arrangements and the lush greenery that framed it on either side. The couple would walk on it as if walking on water, their steps floating on reflections of clouds, blossoms, and sunlit leaves.

Diva, who was once a famous model, was now acting like a wedding coordinator, shouting at the staff about things to do. "The kids? Where are the kids?! Make sure that they were oriented on what must be done!"

Archways of flowers lined the mirrored path, their blooms cascading down in a riot of soft pastels—pink, lavender, white, and blush. Each arch felt like a doorway to another world, welcoming the couple with nature’s most delicate creations. Delicate vines twined around the arches, and the petals seemed to shimmer in the light breeze, creating a sense of movement as though the garden itself were alive and celebrating.

At the end of the path, a magnificent floral altar awaited.

The structure was minimalistic yet grand, made entirely of flowers and greenery. It stood beneath a large, ancient tree, whose branches stretched wide, their new spring leaves dappling the ground with sunlight.

The altar seemed to grow out of the earth as if nature itself had crafted it for this special moment. Roses in full bloom, delicate orchids, and hanging wisteria cascaded from the altar, creating a floral canopy that enveloped the couple as they stood beneath it.

Diva peeked outside, checking the venue. She sighed when she saw that the guests were in awe of the decoration, so they weren’t bothered by the time.

They were seated in elegant rows on either side of the mirrored path, their chairs adorned with smaller floral arrangements. The subtle touch of twinkling fairy lights strung between the trees, added a touch of magic as they gently swayed in the breeze.

The sky was still bright, but they were already on to add a magical touch to the scene. Soft music played in the background, carried by the gentle spring wind, mingling with the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling, adding to the enchantment of the setting.

Diva looked at the time and grimaced. She just said that the wedding would start in a few minutes, yet the couples were still missing! She stomped to the groom’s waiting room and barged in without knocking, only to find Knox in his seat with a pale complexion.

Diva’s heart pounded. Is he having wedding jitters? Does his stomach hurt?! With these thoughts, Diva quickly approached Knox. "Are you okay, Knox? What’s wrong?"

Knox was almost seven months into his pregnancy. However, his baby bump appeared like it was just four months old, so with layers of fine white tuxedo as his wedding clothes, his stomach wasn’t that obvious.

Diva was worried that he might have felt suffocated from the trousers. So, she was about to suggest for him to change into something more comfortable, when her eyes landed on the opened box with a big black ribbon on the lid, and inside were photos of...

"What the f*ck?! Where did this come from?!" Diva exclaimed in anger. She snatched the box and rummaged through the photos.

Her voice must have been so loud that someone entered the room in panic. It was Azrael, asking, "What? What happened?"

He was followed by Luis, his secretary, dressed in formal attire. Next to him were Kayden, Sandro, Rian, and Ragel, in pastel-colored suits. They stood by the door wondering what was happening.

Before Azrael could walk in, however, Diva already shot him a glare and threw the handful of pictures in his face.

The pictures were of Azrael, naked on a bed, and there was a woman’s hand in the frame.

Panic washed over Azrael’s face. "Knox, wait... I can explain. This is not what it looks like," he began, his voice frantic. He moved toward Knox, but Knox’s expression wasn’t what he expected.

Instead of anger or hurt, Knox seemed calm. Too calm.

Knox’s eyes softened. He turned to Azrael and said, "I’m not mad at you. I’m angry at the person who sent these." His voice was firm, but his gaze was filled with love and assurance. "You think I’d believe for a second that this means anything? It might look real and not photographed but...I wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t know you. I trust you."

Azrael blinked, his panic ebbing away, replaced with confusion. "You’re... not mad? You don’t think—"

Knox shook his head. "No, I don’t. I know you love me, Azrael. No pictures, no person from your past, or any attempt to sabotage us will ever make me doubt that."

Azrael’s heart swelled with relief, and his eyes glossed with emotion. Knox was right there, steady, unshakeable in his love. Knox turned to Luis, who had just entered the room, and instructed him, "Find out who sent this and take legal action."

Luis nodded; his expression grim. "Already on it," he said, picking the photos on the floor. Kayden helped him pick the pictures and froze when he recalled something.

He spoke, "Aren’t these the photos taken by Elise Chen when you were drugged that time, cousin?"

Everyone froze. Slowly, their heads turned to Kayden. The doctor, realizing what he did, covered his mouth and muttered, "Oops."

Rian slapped him on the back and was ready to scold him big time, but Diva shooed them away. "Get out, get out! Go back to your seats! And you, Mr. Luis, make sure that b*tch will go to jail this time! All of her contracts had ended already anyway! Now, let’s go away."

She turned to the couple. "And you two, if you’re ready, walk down the aisle already! People are waiting!"

With that, they all left and the room fell into comfortable silence again.

And just like that, the moment passed, not with anger or suspicion, but with love and trust—the very foundation their relationship was built on. The wedding continued without a hitch.

The ceremony was magical. The aisle was lined with flowers, soft music filled the air, and the guests, family and friends alike, watched with smiles and tears of joy. Their children, Aresh and Knoa, walked down the aisle, holding hands as they led the procession.

Seated on the front rows, on Knox’s side, were his family, the Horaces, completely despite some of them being reluctant to be there. On Azrael’s side were the Montgomerys, his brother, and Edna Russel, Knox’s friends who sat on that side, and Azrael’s friends and closest subordinates.

Diva’s design was flawless; everything sparkled, from the chandeliers to the love in the eyes of the couple standing before their loved ones.

As Azrael and Knox exchanged vows, the room was filled with a sense of completeness. They had fought so hard to be here, to stand together, and now, they were surrounded by everyone who mattered to them. The officiant declared them husbands, and the room erupted into applause, laughter, and celebration.

The night was filled with dancing, speeches, and heartfelt moments. Even Ragel, usually reserved, raised a glass in honor of their union, his voice thick with pride. Athan, Althea, and Nathaniel embraced Azrael fully, welcoming him as one of their own, and the bond between both families was solidified in that moment.

Several months later, the scene was entirely different. Snow blanketed the ground, early winter settling in. Azrael, Knox, and their children stood quietly before the grave of Ashler Ford, Azrael’s omega father.

The air was cold, but there was warmth in their togetherness. In Knox’s arms, he cradled their baby girl named Ashley Del Valle, her soft breaths the only sound breaking the quietness.

Aresh and Knoa stood at their sides, their small hands clasped tightly in their parents’. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, bringing with it echoes of the past. Azrael’s chest tightened as he gazed at the gravestone. Though years had passed since Ashler’s death and Azrael had made peace with himself, the sadness still lingered.

Knox, noticing the sadness in Azrael’s eyes, reached out and took his hand. "He would have been proud of you," Knox whispered, squeezing his hand gently. "Of the life you’ve built, of the family you’ve created."

Azrael looked down at the grave, his voice low and filled with emotion. "I wish he could have met them... our children." His gaze drifted to Aresh and Knoa, and then to baby Ashley. "He would’ve loved them."

Knox leaned his head against Azrael’s shoulder, letting the silence between them speak for the love they shared. "He’s watching over us, I’m sure of it. And he’ll always be part of our lives through you, through our children."

For a while, they simply stood there, letting the cold wind carry away the weight of their grief, and in its place, a sense of peace settled. Azrael, for all the loss he had endured, was surrounded by the family he had always dreamed of.

As they turned to leave the cemetery, Knox glanced back one last time at the gravestone. "We’ll visit again," he said softly, as if speaking to Ashler. "And we’ll make sure the children know all about him."

Azrael smiled, the sadness lifting slightly. "Yeah," he agreed, wrapping an arm around Knox. "We will. Let’s go visit your parents next, my dearest."

"Again?" Knox chuckled. "Sure. They’ll be happy."

With that, they walked away, their family close, the love they had built stronger than ever. Years might pass by in an instant, and their kids will grow faster than they expected, but the love between them—the love that blossomed from a mistaken bloom and joined by a mistakenly broken bond—will never see its end.

Until forever, in this lifetime, and probably in the next one, Azrael and Knox will always be together.

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The End of Volume 1: Azrael Del Valle and Knox Arden