lan looked at her, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Are you sure? You're really willing to marry me again?" lan's voice trembled.

Eleanor couldn't help but smile. "If you don't want to, then..."

"I do," lan said, pulling her fiercely into his arms. He choked back a sob. "I do. Of course I do."

Eleanor leaned into his embrace and nodded.

"You've really thought this through?" lan asked again, sounding terrified she might change her mind.

"I have. You're rich, handsome, and the father of my daughter. Plus, you're great in bed. I'd hate to let another woman have all that," Eleanor said with complete seriousness.

lan let out a wet laugh. "Are you sure you're serious?"

Eleanor's lips curled up. "Absolutely serious."

lan took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "Then I'm changing what I call you, darling."

Eleanor's heart skipped a heavy beat.

Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, washing over them both.

"We're going straight to city hall as soon as we get back. No backing out," lan insisted.

"No backing out," Eleanor agreed firmly.

lan smiled, lowering his head to capture her lips.

The kiss was long and endlessly tender. It carried the profound relief of surviving a nightmare, and the fierce devotion of cherishing something precious he thought he'd lost forever.

"Ellie, I love you," he murmured against her mouth.

Although he chanted those words like a mantra every night when they were lost in the throes of passion, she usually couldn't focus enough to truly hear them. But right now, his confession rang with absolute clarity.

***

Two days later at the airport, lan led Eleanor off the plane, their fingers intertwined.

Gavin Young was waiting to pick them up.

"Did you bring the documents?" lan checked with him.

"Don't worry, Mr. Goodwin, I have everything!" Gavin laughed. When would he ever

dare delay his boss's happily-ever-after?

By ten o'clock, they arrived at city hall under bright, sunny skies.

Ian held Eleanor's hand as they walked into the lobby, instantly drawing the attention of everyone around them Dressed in a sha dark suit, he perfectly complemented her simple but elegant beige dress. Together, they looked like they had stepped right out of a fashion magazine.

Filling out forms, taking photos, and signing papers the entire process went incredibly fast.

During the photoshoot, lan wrapped his arm firmly around Eleanor's waist, flashing

a devastatingly handsome smile for the camera.

When they walked out of city hall

holding their marriage certificate, the

sun was blazing overhead. Ian

couldn't stop staring at the officiát document in his hands.

"What are you looking at?" Eleanor asked, leaning in.

"Looking at my wife," lan chuckled, his voice a low rumble. "So beautiful."

"Wait a minute. Didn't you say I wasn't allowed to get married for five years?" Eleanor teased, bringing up his shameless old ultimatum.

lan looped his long arm around her shoulders. "I meant you weren't allowed to marry anyone except me."

Eleanor laughed and shook her head. "Still a scoundrel."

lan chuckled softly, taking her hand. "You have no chance to back out now. I'm never signing divorce papers for the rest of my life."

Eleanor stopped and looked up at him. Bathed in the sunlight, his striking features were illuminated, and his bright eyes held nothing but her reflection.

"Alright. Then we won't," Eleanor nodded.

lan pulled her close and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

A short distance away, Gavin tactfully turned his back, pretending to admire the scenery.

That evening, at the Goodwin family estate.

Gina had prepared a lavish

celebratory dinner. Serena was

overjoyed. Sitting next to Eleanor, she squeezed her hand, a wide smile on her face. "Welcome to the family, Eleanor

Eleanor smiled warmly. "Thank you."

Evelyn ran over, beaming. "Mom, you're never going to separate from Dad ever again, right?"

Eleanor ruffled her daughter's hair. "That's right, sweetheart. Never again."

Gina overheard this from the dining room. Her eyes grew a little misty, though a bright smile lit up her face.

Per Eleanor and lan's request, their remarriage was kept strictly within the family. They had no intention of making a public announcement.