Chapter 10 - Forever Under the Stars
Later that evening, long after the applause had faded and the gala had concluded, Damon drove Della to a quiet, private cliff overlooking Lake Michigan.
The night sky was clear, studded with a million brilliant stars reflecting off the calm, dark waters below.
They stepped out of the Maybach, walking hand in hand toward the edge of the stone overlook, the cool spring breeze gently lifting the hem of Della’s sapphire dress.
"Sienna’s collection sold out completely tonight," Della said softly, looking out over the water with a happy smile. "She received four offers from fashion houses in Paris and Milan."
"I know," Damon murmured, standing behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his chin gently on her shoulder. "She deserves every bit of it. But tonight... I only want to talk about us."
Della turned in his arms, resting her hands against his broad chest, looking up into his stunning blue eyes. "Us?"
"Six years ago, I was a broken, angry man living in the dark," Damon said, his voice dropping to a low, deeply emotional register. "I thought power and wealth were the only things that mattered in this brutal world. And then you walked into my life, bleeding your kindness into my cold world, twice."
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, navy velvet box.
Della’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart began to race with a sweet, overwhelming anticipation.
Damon slowly sank down onto one knee on the soft grass, looking up at her with complete, unreserved devotion. He opened the box.
Inside rested a magnificent ring featuring a rare, flawless six-carat light-blue diamond, surrounded by tiny, delicate silver swan carvings set in platinum.
"Della Hayes," Damon said, his voice trembling slightly with pure emotion. "You saved my life. You saved my sister. You brought love, warmth, and light into my world. Will you do me the absolute honor of becoming my wife? Will you rule this life with me, forever?"
Tears of pure, unadulterated happiness spilled from Della’s eyes, shining like diamonds under the starlight.
She didn't hesitate for a single second.
"Yes!" Della cried out softly, dropping to her knees beside him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, Damon! A thousand times, yes!"
Damon let out a deep, joyful laugh, sliding the ring onto her finger before lifting her up in his arms, spinning her around under the star-filled sky. He brought his lips down to hers, kissing her with all the passion, warmth, and forever-promise that lived within his soul.
From a few yards away, sitting inside the Range Rover, Sienna and little Toby watched through the window, grinning happily, clapping their hands in silent celebration.
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The dark shadows of the past were gone forever.
The maid who had stepped up to protect a humiliated girl had found her king, and together, they had built a legacy of love, honor, and strength that no power on earth could ever tear down.
