Chapter 12 - THE STAR IN THE GARDEN
|
The private rose garden at the southern edge of the estate was in full, glorious bloom.
Arches of climbing white and blush-pink roses framed a quiet stone pavilion overlooking the bluff above Lake Michigan.
The warm spring breeze carried the fragrance of sweet petals, fresh-cut grass, and the clean scent of the lake water below.
Luca walked beside me along the gravel path, his fingers gently intertwined with mine.
His touch was warm, strong, and steady, filling me with a profound sense of safety that had become the foundation of my life.
We stopped inside the shaded pavilion, where a cast-iron bench sat beside a tranquil stone fountain.
Luca turned to face me, taking both of my hands into his, looking down into my eyes with an emotion so deep it made the breath catch in my throat.
“Eleven months ago, Emily,” Luca began, his rich baritone voice trembling slightly with raw vulnerability.
“A young woman walked through the service entrance of my home carrying a small suitcase and an honest heart.”
“I was a broken man, running an empire of shadows, convinced that my only purpose was to protect my family through violence.”
He reached up, his thumb gently tracing the line of my jaw, his touch sending a delicious, warm shiver through my veins.
“I was blind to the cruelty taking place under my own roof.”
“I was ready to marry a woman who wanted to erase my wife’s memory and silence my son’s voice.”
His dark gray eyes shone with unshed tears as he looked at me.
“Then you stood between my son and the wolves.”
“You showed this entire city what true courage looks like.”
“You didn't just repair a torn sleeve on an old sweater, Emily.”
“You repaired my son’s broken spirit.”
“And you gave me back my soul.”
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird, tears of sweet, radiant joy spilling over my lashes.
“Luca... you gave me everything,” I whispered, leaning into his warm touch.
“You saved my mother.”
“You gave me a life filled with dignity, respect, and love.”
Luca reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a small, worn black velvet box.
The world around the pavilion seemed to drop into absolute, sacred stillness.
Luca Moretti—a man before whom senators, federal judges, and syndicate bosses had knelt in fear—slowly lowered himself onto one knee on the warm stone floor.
He pressed the small golden latch of the box, and the lid sprang open.
Resting inside on a bed of ivory silk was a breathtaking custom ring featuring a flawless five-carat round brilliant diamond.
Set into the platinum band on either side of the center stone were two tiny, perfectly cut white sapphire stars.
“I had this designed three weeks ago, Emily,” Luca whispered, looking up into my face with complete, unreserved surrender.
May you like
“The stars are to remind you that no matter how dark the road has been, you will always guide us home.”
“Emily Carter, will you do me the greatest honor of my life, and become my wife?”
