CHAPTER 445: THE FIRST PRINT

Roderick glanced at his mother as she handed him the guest list for his upcoming wedding.

"Mom, I barely even remember half of these people," he said, only half-focused as his eyes flicked back to the messages lighting up his phone screen. A small smile played on his lips.

Fiona sighed and gently took the list back from his hand. "I want this wedding to be grand, Roderick. You’re my only son, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. You can talk to Ivy all you want later, but for now, help your mother with the preparations."

Roderick lowered his phone after sending a quick message to Ivy: "I’ll talk to you later." Then, looking at his mother, he sighed. "There’s still plenty of time before the wedding, Mom."

Fiona crossed her arms. "The invitations need to go out at least a month in advance if we want everything to go smoothly."

"Alright, alright. I get it," he relented. "Just invite whoever you want, your friends, acquaintances, all of them. But for the reception, we need at least two separate events. One for the main wedding guests, and the second for the company employees."

He reached for the notepad in her hand and began scribbling some ideas.

"There are nearly ten thousand employees in the company. We can’t possibly invite all of them," Fiona pointed out, watching him carefully.

"I’m aware," Roderick replied, without looking up. "But I plan to throw a separate party for them. I have a few things in mind, something that shows appreciation without making it feel formal or forced."

Fiona gazed at her son with gentle affection. "Alright. Do whatever you believe is right. But at least consult your uncle once," she added softly.

"Uncle’s off having fun with Layla," Roderick replied with a faint smile. "They’re on vacation for a few days. And Mom, I’m not a boy anymore. I can handle this."

"I never said you were," Fiona replied, her voice warm yet wistful.

Just then, a servant appeared at the doorway. "Madam, the first print of the wedding card has arrived."

Roderick walked over and took the envelope from him. "Mom, here it is," he said, turning back and handing it to her.

Fiona took the card in her hands, her fingers brushing over the embossed design. A small smile appeared on her lips. "It’s beautiful," she whispered, tracing the delicate details. Her gaze slowly shifted to where his father’s name was printed.

Roderick noticed her eyes pause, lingering there in silence.

He stood beside her quietly, unsure of what to say. What could he possibly say? There were feelings no words could soothe, and this was one of them.

Fiona gently wiped the corners of her eyes and looked up at her son. "Go on, show this to your grandfather. And also, send a picture to Lucius and Layla."

"Hmm," Roderick nodded softly.

As he took the card from her hands, he added, "Mom, Dad’s always with us. You don’t have to worry about him."

Fiona gave him a small smile. "Yeah. I know."

Roderick stepped out of the room and walked toward the living room, where his grandfather sat reading the morning newspaper.

"Grandpa!" he called out, a spark of excitement in his voice. "Did you see the first print of the wedding card?"

Alekis lowered the newspaper and set it on the table. "No, not yet," he replied, his curiosity piqued. "How does it look?"

Roderick settled beside him on the couch, a proud smile tugging at his lips as he handed over the card.

"Look at how good your name looks beside Ivy’s," Alekis remarked, his eyes scanning the elegant print. "The design is beautiful. You’re stepping into a new Chapter of your life, Rick. I’m proud of the man you’ve become."

Roderick’s smile softened. "I think I owe this version of myself to my past... to my previous relationship. I don’t usually talk about it, but—" he paused, lowering his voice a bit. "I carry regret for how I behaved with Layla and Uncle. That time changed me."

He looked down for a second before meeting his grandfather’s gaze. "Ivy’s different. She’s honest, open, and real with me. I didn’t think I deserved a second chance, but somehow... I found her. Or maybe she found me."

Alekis placed a hand gently on Roderick’s shoulder. "Indeed, you made your share of mistakes. But what matters is that you’ve learned from them. And don’t forget, this second chance you have... you owe it to Layla. She’s the one who chose to forgive, to let go of everything you did."

Roderick nodded slowly, his grandfather’s words sinking deep. There was truth in them, and it humbled him.

"Grandpa," he said with a smile, "I’m really excited about this marriage. I wasn’t this eager before... but now, everything feels right. I just hope my father is finally happy, seeing me like this."

Alekis returned his smile, warmth in his eyes. "Of course he is. Antoine must be smiling wherever he is, watching you become the man he always hoped you’d be."

"I’ll send the card’s pictures to Uncle and Layla," said Roderick, taking out the phone from his pocket.

He clicked the card’s pictures and sent it to Lucius’s number. As he was about to set the phone aside, Ivy’s name reflected on it. He excused himself and went to the garden to talk to her.

"Hey," Roderick greeted her.

"Hi. Did you see the card?"

"Yes. I was with my grandfather," Roderick replied, bringing his other hand to the back of his head. "It’s beautiful, isn’t it?"

"Yes. By the way, my wedding dress is ready. Come with me in the evening. I want to check it and show it to you as well," Ivy said.

"Sure. I’ll pick you up then. We can have dinner outside tonight to celebrate this small step towards each other," Roderick said with a smile.

"I’ll wait for you," Ivy said. "I love you, Roderick."

He smiled brightly. "I love you too, Ivy."