CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTY – SOULMATE FOR LIFE

The soft strains of acoustic guitar drifted through the open-air pavilion, mingling with the warm late summer breeze. Karina drew in a deep, steadying breath as she listened to the gentle melody, allowing it to calm the fluttering in her chest. Today was the day. After everything they had been through, all the trials and darkness and hardship, she was finally marrying her soulmate, her partner in every sense of the word. John. Overhead, twinkling strands of fairy lights intertwined with flowering vines, creating a warm, intimate canopy. Artfully arranged wildflowers and lush potted plants transformed the simple wooden structure into a lush, secret grotto plucked straight from a fairy tale. "You look so beautiful." Karina turned at the hushed voice, her face splitting into a radiant smile as she beheld her mother. The older woman's eyes shone with unshed happy tears as she drank in the vision of her daughter in her elegant yet understated lace gown. "I'm so proud of you, sweetie,"