Chapter 14 - The Ring That Was Never Fake, The Confession Under The City Lights, and Sebastian's Ruin
That evening, Luca took Norah and Leo to the private rooftop gardens overlooking the illuminated skyline of Central Park.
The autumn breeze was cool, but the garden was heated with stone fire pits and surrounded by fragrant white roses.
Leo was running across the grass, chasing a golden retriever puppy that Luca had surprised him with that afternoon.
“He looks happy,” Norah said softly, leaning against the stone balustrade.
“He is happy because he has a mother,” Luca said, standing beside her.
Luca reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box.
Norah looked at him, confused. “Luca, I already have the band you gave me.”
Luca took her left hand in his. He gently slid off the plain platinum band from their original contract.
He opened the velvet box to reveal a magnificent 12-carat cushion-cut diamond, flanked by two emeralds, glowing brilliantly under the city lights.
“The first ring was a business arrangement,” Luca said, his voice husky with raw vulnerability. “This ring is a promise.”
Luca dropped to one knee before her.
New York’s most feared man, the don whose name silenced entire boardrooms, knelt before the curvy woman with the fierce heart and brilliant mind.
“Norah Bennett, you saved my nephew. You saved this family. And you gave me a life I thought I was never worthy of having. Will you marry me for real? Without contracts. Without end dates. Forever.”
Tears spilled over Norah’s eyelashes, shining like diamonds on her cheeks.
“Yes,” Norah whispered, laughing through her tears. “Yes, Luca. A thousand times yes.”
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Leo ran over, throwing his small arms around both of their knees, shouting with pure joy into the night sky:
“Mama said yes! Captain, Mama is staying forever!”
