His shoes were scratched, although he had polished them until they shone.
Gabriel knew how he looked.
He also knew what people were thinking.
But Elise had never judged him by his appearance.
She had seen his kindness when others saw only his poverty.
She had witnessed his honesty when people assumed he had nothing worthwhile to offer.
And she had fallen in love with the man behind the worn-out clothes.
Unfortunately, not everyone shared her understanding.
In the front row, three of Elise’s former coworkers sat together, exchanging disapproving glances.
“I still can’t believe she’s actually going through with this,” Sophie whispered.
Marianne leaned closer.
“She’s young, attractive, and hardworking. She could have married a businessman or someone with a decent house.”
Isabelle glanced at Gabriel’s old shoes and smirked.
“Well, I suppose she’ll discover soon enough that love doesn’t pay the rent.”
The three women giggled.
They didn’t realize that Elise had heard every word.
For a brief moment, her smile faded.
She lowered her eyes, fighting the disappointment rising inside her.
Not because she was ashamed of Gabriel.
But because the people she had invited to share her happiness were humiliating the man she loved.
Gabriel noticed immediately.
He leaned toward her and spoke quietly.
“Elise, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?”
She looked up.
“What do you mean?”
He glanced toward the guests.
“You know what people are saying. I don’t want you to regret marrying me.”
Elise gently squeezed his hand.
“Gabriel, I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
Her answer brought a small, grateful smile to his face.
Moments later, the pastor stepped forward and asked everyone to rise.
The ceremony began.
As the couple stood facing one another, sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting beautiful colors across the church floor.
Elise was the first to speak.
“Gabriel,” she began, her voice trembling with emotion, “I don’t need you to promise me a perfect life.”
She paused and smiled.
“I don’t need a mansion, expensive gifts, or a bank account filled with money. All I want is a home where we can love each other, respect each other, and face every difficulty together.”
Her eyes glistened.
“I didn’t fall in love with what you own. I fell in love with who you are.”
Several guests appeared genuinely moved.
