Chapter 22 - A Promise in the Sun
I looked at the blueprint, then up into Daniel’s face. "For us?"
Daniel set Leo gently into his carrier, then turned to face me fully. He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a small velvet box.
My breath caught in my throat.
He did not kneel out of theatrical performance; he took both of my hands into his, his voice deep, gravelly, and brimming with raw sincerity.
"Clara, when Brandon cast you aside, he was blind to the rarest treasure in the world. For the past six months, I have watched you endure fire, rebuild an empire from ashes, and protect your child with unmatched courage. I don't want to just be your partner in business, and I don't want to just be your protector."
He opened the velvet box. Inside lay an exquisite, radiant-cut sapphire ring, encircled by brilliant diamonds that caught the sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"I love you, Clara," Daniel said, his thumb gently caressing my knuckles. "I love Leo as if he were my own flesh and blood. I promise to spend every day of my life honoring you, defending you, and making sure you never face the darkness alone again. Will you marry me?"
A tear of pure joy slipped down my cheek. The memory of the cold hospital room where Brandon abandoned me faded into utter insignificance, replaced by the brilliant warmth of the man standing before me.
"Yes," I breathed, throwing my arms around his neck. "Yes, Daniel! A thousand times, yes!"
Daniel pulled me into his arms, lifting me slightly off the floor as his lips met mine in a fierce, passionate kiss that sealed our future. When he set me down, he slipped the sapphire ring onto my finger—a perfect fit.
Leo giggled from his carrier, waving his arms as if celebrating with us.
May you like
We laughed, the three of us basking in the warmth of a hard-won victory. We had fought through betrayal, gunfire, corporate treachery, and grief. The empire was ours, our names were cleared, and our family was whole.
Or so we believed.