Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL ON THE BLUFFS
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The black velvet box clicked open in Dominic’s large, scarred palm.
Resting inside on a bed of ivory silk was a breathtaking antique platinum ring.
At its center was a flawless, five-carat cushion-cut sapphire of the deepest oceanic blue, surrounded by a delicate halo of brilliant diamonds.
The platinum band was hand-carved with tiny white gardenias and delicate lace patterns that mirrored the embroidery of Margaret’s bridal veil.
“Dominic...” I whispered, my hand flying to my mouth as tears blurred the sparkling stones.
“This ring belonged to my great-grandmother in Palermo, Nora,” Dominic said softly, his dark gray eyes holding mine with unreserved surrender.
“She gave it to my father with a simple instruction.”
“Never give it to a woman who loves your power or your name.”
“Give it only to the woman who will teach you how to love with an open hand.”
Dominic Moretti—the most powerful man in the city of Chicago—slowly lowered himself onto one knee on the sun-warmed stone balcony.
Below us, the traffic on Michigan Avenue hummed softly, but to my ears, the entire universe had faded into complete, reverent silence.
“Nora Collins,” Dominic said, looking up into my face with complete vulnerability.
“A year ago, I was a man living in a fortress of stone, surrounded by liars and thieves.”
“I thought that honor was something you defended with a gun.”
His large, warm fingers gently took my left hand, his thumb stroking my trembling knuckles.
“You walked into my life wearing an apron and carrying the courage of an entire army in your quiet heart.”
“You showed me that true strength is the mercy you show to the broken, the loyalty you give to the forgotten, and the love that never wavers in the fire.”
“You gave my cousin back her mother.”
“You gave my family back its honor.”
“And you gave my soul a home.”
Tears of sweet, radiant joy spilled freely down my cheeks as I looked down at the man who had redeemed my world.
“Will you do me the greatest honor of my life, Nora?” Dominic whispered, his voice thick with raw emotion.
“Will you marry me, and be the lady of my house forever?”
There was no doubt in my soul.
There was no hesitation in my mind.
“Yes, Dominic,” I whispered, dropping to my knees on the stone floor beside him so our eyes were level.
“A thousand times, yes.”
Dominic let out a long, ragged breath of pure triumph, his face breaking into a radiant smile that washed away thirty-four years of violence and pain.
He took the sapphire ring from the velvet box and slid it onto the third finger of my left hand.
The cool platinum settled against my skin with effortless perfection, the deep blue sapphire catching the midday sun like a captured piece of heaven.
He wrapped his powerful arms around my waist, pulling me against his chest, and his lips captured mine in a deep, passionate kiss.
The kiss was fierce, sweet, and filled with an unbreakable promise that sealed our past, present, and future into one eternal covenant.
From the doorway of the balcony, a loud, joyful cheer broke through the warm air.
Maya, Rose, Margaret, and little Elena were standing inside the glass doors, clapping and weeping with pure, unadulterated happiness.
Little Elena ran out onto the balcony, holding a bouquet of fresh daisies, throwing her small arms around both of our knees.
“Nora is going to be the bride!” Elena cheered, jumping on her sneakers.
Dominic laughed—a rich, deep, resonant sound of pure happiness that echoed over Michigan Avenue—and scooped the little girl up in his arm while keeping his other arm locked securely around my waist.
“We are going to have a wedding, Elena,” Dominic beamed, kissing the child’s cheek before looking down into my eyes.
May you like
“A real wedding.”
“Filled with truth, filled with light, and filled with love.”
