Chapter 9 - The Proposal on Hawthorne Ridge
That evening, a cool, gentle summer breeze rustled through the maple trees at the Hawthorne Ridge estate.
The old mansion had been completely renovated. The blood-stained Persian rug in the foyer was long gone, replaced by light oak floors, bright family photographs, and the cheerful sounds of a home filled with life.
In the backyard, a grand stone terrace overlooked a manicured lawn, a sparkling swimming pool, and a newly built wooden playground where Sophie was playing fetch with a young Golden Retriever named Barnaby.
Ava sat on a comfortable outdoor sofa, holding a cup of chamomile tea, wearing a soft cream sweater.
Roman walked out onto the terrace, holding two glasses of wine. He set them on the low table and sat down beside her, pulling a small black velvet box from his pocket.
Ava looked at the box, her breath catching in her throat.
Roman took her hand, his large, scarred fingers holding hers with extreme gentleness. He looked into her hazel eyes, his gray eyes shining with an emotion so deep and profound it humbled her.
"Seven months ago, Ava," Roman said softly, "I was a dead man lying on a rug in a house that felt like a prison. I thought my life was defined by violence, power, and isolation."
He opened the velvet box.
Inside sat a breathtaking three-carat emerald-cut diamond ring, set in platinum, surrounded by small sapphire stones—the exact color of her eyes.
"You walked into my life with blood on your hands, fear in your heart, and enough courage to fight the entire world for a stranger's child," Roman continued, his voice trembling slightly with raw emotion. "You saved my life, Ava. But more than that... you gave me a reason to live it."
Roman slid off the sofa, dropping onto one knee on the stone terrace before her.
"Ava Monroe," Roman said, holding the ring up toward her. "Will you do me the honor of marrying me? Will you let me spend the rest of my life protecting you, loving you, and building a home with you?"
Ava felt hot, happy tears spill over her eyelashes, running down her cheeks. She didn't hesitate for a single second.
She threw her arms around Roman’s neck, pulling him up into a deep, passionate, electric kiss that made the rest of the world vanish entirely.
"Yes, Roman!" Ava sobbed happily against his lips. "Yes! A thousand times, yes!"
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Roman laughed—a rich, joyful sound that echoed across the lawn—as he slipped the ring onto her finger, pulling her tight against his heart, holding her as if he would never let her go again.
Down on the lawn, Sophie stopped playing with the dog, looking up at the terrace, clapping her small hands happily. "Yay! Daddy and Mommy are getting married!"
