And she drank.
Every last drop.
Sarah exhaled slowly, fingers curling into her arms. The room moved on in laughter and chatter, the energy light and warm. But she stood still, eyes locked on Esther's soft smile, waiting for it to falter.
Every second stretched, her anticipation building. She expected the poison to kick in any moment. Esther would groan, clutch her stomach, collapse in agony… and then, just like that, she'd be gone.
But nothing happened. Not even a flicker of discomfort. Sarah stood frozen, heart racing, waiting.
Then the door opened.
In walked Musu, her presence radiating warmth and grace. She offered a wide smile to everyone in the room.
"Ma!" Esther beamed, standing to greet her. Her voice was full of joy, genuine and bright.
"You look absolutely beautiful, dear," Musu said, resting a loving hand on Esther's cheek. "Your father would've been so proud… I only wish he were here to see this moment."
"Ma," Esther said, smiling softly, "Father isn't here… but you are. That's enough."
Musu nodded gently, though her eyes wandered, landing squarely on Sarah.
"Sarah, dear," she said with a light smile, "may I speak with you for a moment?"
She didn't wait for a response. Musu took her by the hand and turned to the others. "We'll be right back."
The moment they were outside, away from eyes and ears, Musu's grip changed. She let go of Sarah's hand and, without hesitation, delivered a hard slap across her face.
Sarah staggered back, eyes wide with disbelief and fury. "What the hell was that for?" she snapped, hand pressed to her jaw.
"That's for trying to kill your sister," Musu said coldly, her voice shaking with barely contained fury. "What is wrong with you, Sarah? I thought you had changed."
"You, saw me?" Sarah asked. Not in shock. Just confirmation.
Musu's voice trembled, her hands clenched. "I saw you. I saw you pour that poison. And yes, I switched the drink. If I hadn't, your sister would be dead right now. Dead, Sarah. Do you understand that?"
Sarah's lips parted slightly, but there was no remorse in her eyes. Only calculation.
"There's no proof," she said. "Esther is perfectly fine."
"That's because I threw out the drink you poisoned," she scolded, glaring at her daughter, who showed not a hint of remorse. "Had I not done that, your sister could've been dead by now, God forbid!" she added, making a protective circle over her head. "What were you even thinking, Sarah?"
"I was thinking," Sarah growled, "that without her, I'd finally have a chance to get back what she stole. Daniel. Once she was out of the way, I would be the one he chose. Me, Ma. And you ruined that."
Her hands flew up in frustration, fingers raking through her hair. "Everything would've worked."
"No," Musu said, voice firm. "Nothing would have worked. Did you even think about the aftermath? The autopsy? The police? Our family you'd shatter?" She asked sharply.
But Sarah hadn't thought that far. All she cared about was Esther being gone, the consequences could be handled later.
Musu took a deep breath. "I won't expose you, not today. But if you ever try something like this again, I swear to God, I will take you to the police myself."
Sarah turned away, jaw clenched.
"And I need you to leave," Musu said firmly. "You can't stay, nor will you attend this wedding"
She couldn't risk Sarah trying something else. It was safer for everyone, especially Esther, if she was gone.
"Fine," Sarah muttered, her voice cold and flat. "I wasn't planning to stay anyway."
Without another word, she turned and walked away.
As Sarah's footsteps faded down the corridor, Musu remained still, her hands trembling at her sides.
She wasn't being selfish. At least, she didn't think so. Maybe some part of her was, but was it wrong to want to protect her daughter, even after everything? Even after that?
Sarah had tried to poison her own sister. There was no excuse, no justification strong enough to mask the horror of that truth. And yet, Musu had seen the desperation in her eyes, not of a monster, but of a broken girl clinging to something she had already lost.
It would've been easier to turn her in. It would've been the right thing to do.
But Musu wasn't just a witness. She was a mother, to both of them.
She didn't want Sarah in jail. She didn't want Esther in a grave. She just wanted her family whole again, even if that dream had already shattered long ago. Maybe she was wrong for covering this up, for not shouting the truth the moment she saw it happen… but in that moment, she made the only decision she could live with.
A decision that wouldn't destroy one daughter to save the other.
Maybe the world would see her as weak. Maybe she was.
But today, she had saved Esther's life, and spared Sarah's.
And in the chaos between justice and mercy, that had to count for something.
The gentle hum of string instruments filled the garden, a soft melody carried by the breeze. Rows of white chairs flanked either side of the petal-strewn aisle, filled with guests who rose to their feet as the music shifted. The garden had been transformed into a scene from a dream, flowers in full bloom framed the altar, golden light spilled across the ground, and the air was thick with anticipation.
At the front, Daniel stood tall in a tailored tuxedo, his hands clasped in front of him. His eyes fixed ahead, unmoving, except for the barely noticeable tremble in his jaw. The moment had come. And despite everything he had faced, every wall he had built, she had broken through them all. She was really coming to him now, forever.
Then the crowd turned, and so did he.
Esther stepped into view.
She looked like light itself. A vision in ivory silk, her gown elegant and flowing, hugging her shape before cascading like water at her feet. Her veil was tucked delicately into a soft, curled wig, her makeup subtle but radiant, her expression composed, but her eyes, her eyes were searching only for him.
And beside her, arm-in-arm, was her mother.
Musu held her daughter tightly, her face both proud and restrained. Despite everything, her doubts, her fears, even the chaos Sarah had nearly brought, she stood tall now, leading her daughter to the man who had chosen her, wholly and unapologetically.
Each step forward was deliberate. Esther's heartbeat pounded in rhythm with the music, with the click of her heels on the stone path, with the whispering breeze in the trees. She could see Daniel more clearly now, his quiet awe, the way his eyes softened the moment hers met his.
At the end of the aisle, Musu stopped. She turned to Esther, brushing a stray curl from her cheek, her gaze steady.
"I'm proud of you," she whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead before placing Esther's hand into Daniel's.
Daniel looked down at Esther's fingers in his, then up at Musu with a respectful nod.
"Take care of my daughter," Musu said quietly. It wasn't a command, it was a release.
"I will," he promised, voice low and certain.
As Musu stepped back, Daniel and Esther turned to face the officiant.
And in the golden garden filled with breathless guests, the ceremony began.
The garden hushed as the pastor smiled, letting the anticipation settle. Birds chirped somewhere above, the sun slipping through branches as if nature itself paused to witness.
"Dearly beloved," the pastor began, voice calm and warm, "we are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, love. Today, Daniel and Esther stand before us, not just to pledge their devotion, but to join two lives, two paths, and two hearts into one, in the presence of God"
Daniel held Esther's hand in both of his now, unable to tear his eyes from her. Her gaze, tender but steady, told him she felt it too, this moment was bigger than both of them.
"As you exchange your vows," the pastor continued, "remember that true marriage is not born in grand gestures, but in the quiet moments, the everyday choices to choose each other, again and again."
He turned slightly. "Daniel, you may speak your vows."
Daniel drew in a breath, eyes still on Esther, the woman who had shattered every boundary he'd built around his heart.
"I thought I had lost the right to feel this again," he began, voice low and full. "To love. To start over. But then you came, unexpected, relentless, and real. Esther, you've brought light into places I thought were meant to stay dark. You've challenged me, softened me, reminded me that I still had so much more to give. Today, I promise to give it all to you, my heart, my loyalty, my faith. I will honor your strength, cherish your softness, and fight beside you through everything life brings."
Esther blinked back the heat in her eyes, her fingers tightening in his.
The pastor nodded gently. "Esther, your vows?"
She inhaled shakily, lips parted, gaze unwavering. She had practiced, even written something down. But now, none of that mattered.
"Daniel… I used to think love meant losing control. That loving someone meant losing yourself. But with you, I found more of myself than I ever knew was there. You make me feel safe, heard, seen. Even when I didn't want to be. You remind me that I'm not too much, or too little. I'm just… enough. And today, I promise to stand beside you, to believe in you, and to always hold space for us, no matter how hard or beautiful life gets."
There wasn't a dry eye in the front rows, Lady Bell wiped her cheek discreetly, while Dija openly dabbed hers with a handkerchief. Even Musu lowered her head slightly, blinking fast.
"May we have the rings?" the pastor asked.
Kabil stepped forward and handed over the rings, nodding once at Daniel, a quiet gesture of brotherhood.
The pastor held them up. "These rings are symbols, not just of your promises, but of your unbroken circle. Love, like these bands, has no end."
Daniel slid the ring gently onto Esther's finger. "With this ring, I marry you. My love, my friend, my home."
Esther followed, her hands slightly trembling as she slipped the ring onto his. "With this ring, I marry you. My strength, my peace, my future."
The pastor beamed. "By the power vested in me… and in the presence of everyone who has watched this journey unfold, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Daniel's chest rose sharply.
"You may kiss the bride."
Without hesitation, he cupped her face and kissed her, not just tenderly, but with the weight of every fight, every surrender, every second that had led them here. The garden erupted into applause, cheers filling the air.
And when they finally pulled apart, forehead to forehead, Esther whispered with a smile, "Told you we'd make it."
Daniel's hand wrapped around hers. "We're just getting started."
After the ceremony, the guests slowly made their way to the reception hall, a transformed ballroom blooming with soft lights, floating candles, and blush-colored floral arrangements. A live band played soft instrumental music as everyone settled in, buzzing with excitement for the evening ahead.
Meanwhile, Esther slipped away to the bridal suite to change into her second dress, a sleeker, off-shoulder satin gown in pearl ivory with delicate beading around the waist. Her hair had been let down into soft waves, giving her an effortless elegance that was somehow even more breathtaking.
As she stood in front of the mirror adjusting her earrings, the door creaked open.
"I come bearing gifts," Dija sang, slipping into the room in a trail of perfume and laughter. In her hand was a small, glossy box wrapped in silk ribbon.
Esther turned with a smile. "Should I be worried?"
Dija smirked. "Oh, absolutely."
She set the box down on the chair and opened it dramatically. Inside, nestled on satin padding, was a red lace lingerie set so sheer it made Esther immediately gasp and shut the lid.
"Dija!" she said, half-laughing, half-scolding.
Dija was already giggling, hand over her mouth. "You're welcome, Mrs. Lewis. It's for the honeymoon. You know, just in case Uncle D needs a little… wake-up call after being a monk for five years."
Esther's cheeks burned. "You're insane."
"Thank me later," Dija winked.
Before Esther could fully recover, the door opened again. Zainab strode in holding a small bag in one hand and her phone in the other.
"What's all the noise?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at the flushed bride and the smug maid of honor.
"She just opened my gift," Dija said proudly.
Zainab chuckled. "Perfect. Then it's time for mine." She said handing her the bag.
Esther hesitated before opening it, and pulled out what looked like a sleek, vibrating neck massager.
"Oh wow, this is actually really nice," Esther said, admiring the device. "My shoulders have been killing me lately."
Dija snorted, turning away to hide her face.
Zainab raised both eyebrows. "Esther. Sweetie. That's not for your shoulders."
Esther blinked. "Wait. What?"
Dija burst into laughter. "You really thought she'd give you a regular massager on your wedding night?"
Zainab laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "Girl, you're going to need all the help you can get. Daniel's been single for five years, you think he'll know where to find the on-switch?"
Esther's face turned red as she shoved the box back in the bag, scandalized and amused all at once. "You two are the worst!"
Dija was already howling with laughter on the couch. "We're just making sure you're prepared. It's your wedding night, you've got to bring the heat!"
"Do you want me to guide you through the process?" Zainab added, nudging Esther's arm. "I've got tons of tips. Like.."
"I'm good," Esther cut in quickly, silencing her sister before she could go any further.
"Oh, don't be shy," Dija chimed in with a mischievous grin. "As a first-timer, you're going to need all the help we can offer. I could even send you a few instructional videos.."
"Please, no!" Esther groaned, burying her face in her hands, though a smile still peeked through her fingers.
"That's it. Both of you, out!" she said, barely restraining her laughter. "Let me finish changing before I faint from secondhand embarrassment."
Zainab waved as she walked out. "Just remember: hydration and patience. Lots of patience."
"Good luck tonight, Mrs. Lewis," Dija called, blowing a kiss as she followed.
Left alone again, Esther glanced at the mirror, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Her heart thudded, not from nerves this time, but anticipation. This was really happening.
And with the teasing of her sisters echoing in her ears, she picked up the hem of her gown and stepped into the next chapter of her night.