Chapter 11 - The Proposal in the Snow
The storm cleared by late afternoon, leaving the entire Ashford Landing landscape blanketed in a pristine, glittering layer of white snow.
The industrial rail yard was behind us.
The syndicate threat had been utterly annihilated.
Emmett drove the SUV up the winding mountain road toward the Castellano estate, parking near the cliffside overlook where the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of violet, gold, and crimson.
He turned off the engine.
He turned to look at me, his gray eyes softening completely as he reached out and took my hands in his.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice thick with unexpressed emotion. “Did I scare you back there?”
I shook my head, a radiant smile breaking across my face.
“You didn't scare me, Emmett,” I whispered. “You protected me. Just like you promised.”
He reached into his inner coat pocket.
He pulled out a small, velvet-covered box.
My breath hitched in my throat.
My heart hammered against my ribs—not with terror, but with an overwhelming, rushing tide of pure joy.
Emmett opened the box.
Inside rested a magnificent diamond ring that caught the dying golden rays of the winter sun, sparkling brilliantly against the white snow.
“Adeline Vance,” Emmett murmured, his deep voice trembling slightly with emotion. “You walked into my life as a tired, overworked receptionist hiding behind a false surname. You fought a corrupt empire with nothing more than courage and a memory card. You are the bravest, most extraordinary woman I have ever known.”
He looked deep into my eyes.
“Will you marry me, Adeline? Will you rule this city by my side, forever?”
Tears spilled over my eyelids, hot and happy.
“Yes,” I choked out, throwing my arms around his neck. “Yes, Emmett! A million times yes!”
May you like
He slid the diamond ring onto my finger, pulling me into a fierce, passionate embrace as the last rays of sunlight vanished behind the Ohio hills, sealing our fate for all time.
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