Chapter 14 - THE UNFINISHED VOW
Six months later, the sun shone brightly across the sparkling waters of Lake Ontario.
The small house by the water was filled with the quiet, healing peace we had both fought so desperately to find.
I sat on the wooden back porch, sketching landscape designs in my notebook.
Footsteps approached softly from behind.
Alexander stepped out onto the porch, holding two cups of fresh coffee.
He didn't wear a tailored suit anymore.
He wore a simple flannel shirt and jeans, his dark hair touched with silver at the temples, looking entirely like a man at peace with the world.
He handed me a cup, then sat down on the wooden bench beside me.
“The contractor called,” Alexander said softly, a gentle smile touching his lips.
“The sunroom extension is finished.”
“Good,” I smiled, taking a sip of the coffee.
“I need more space for my plants.”
Alexander reached into his shirt pocket.
He pulled out a small velvet box.
It wasn't the engagement ring from ten years ago.
It was a simple, elegant platinum band inlaid with a single small diamond.
He opened the box, holding it out toward me.
“We never had a real wedding, Emily,” Alexander said, his voice thick with emotion.
“We had a syndicate arrangement disguised as a marriage.”
“I don't want an empire anymore.”
“I don't want power, or money, or fear.”
“I just want you.”
“Will you marry me again, Emily? On our own terms?”
I looked down at the simple platinum ring.
Then I looked up into the gray eyes of the man who had survived the fire, the betrayal, and the darkest depths of hell just to earn the right to ask me that question.
I smiled, holding out my left hand.
May you like
“Only if you promise to never be late for dinner again,” I whispered.
Alexander slid the ring onto my finger, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me under the warm Canadian sun.
