Chapter 9 - The Proposal at the Riverwalk
The lower riverwalk was quiet, shielded from the noise of the street above by weeping willow trees and stone arches.
The afternoon sun hit the river, casting shimmering golden reflections across the concrete path.
Adrian and Audrey walked hand in hand, their fingers intertwined, listening to the gentle lap of the water against the stone wall.
“Where are we going?” Audrey asked, glancing around at the empty walkway. “Thomas said he brought the car to the north entrance.”
Adrian stopped beside a quiet stone balcony overlooking the river—the exact spot where, five years ago, Audrey had stood after her very first day working for him, looking out at the city she was determined to fix.
“Do you remember this spot?” Adrian asked, turning her to face him.
Audrey looked around, a warm smile touching her lips. “I stood right here after my interview. I was so nervous my hands were shaking. I looked up at your penthouse and wondered if I was crazy for taking a job with a man everyone was afraid of.”
“And were you crazy?” Adrian asked softly.
“A little,” Audrey admitted, stepping closer to him, her hands resting against his chest. “But it was the best decision I ever made.”
Adrian reached into his inner suit pocket.
He didn't pull out a speech. He pulled out a small, navy velvet box.
Audrey’s breath hitched in her throat. Her hands flew to her mouth, her hazel eyes going wide with sudden, overwhelming emotion.
Adrian dropped down onto one knee on the cool stone walkway.
He opened the velvet box. Inside rested an exquisite, custom-cut three-carat emerald diamond surrounded by a halo of warm rose-gold—a ring designed not to be delicate or subtle, but bold, magnificent, and breathtaking, just like the woman standing before him.
“Audrey Miller,” Adrian said, his voice trembling slightly with a deep, vulnerable emotion he had never shown to another human soul. “Five years ago, you walked into my world and saved me from becoming the monster my father raised me to be. You showed me that strength isn't about weapons or fear—it’s about integrity, love, and standing tall no matter what the world tries to take from you.”
Tears spilled over Audrey’s lashes, tracing down her glowing cheeks.
“I gave up an empire for you,” Adrian whispered, looking up into her eyes. “And it was the easiest choice I ever made. Because you are my home. You are my empire. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Audrey looked at the man kneeling before her—the former prince of Chicago who had discarded a criminal throne, faced down mobsters, and built a new life simply to earn the right to stand beside her.
May you like
“Yes,” Audrey sobbed softly, sinking down onto her knees right beside him on the stone path, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. “Yes! A thousand times yes!”
Adrian laughed—a pure, joyful sound—as he slid the rose-gold ring onto her finger. He pulled her close, kissing her deeply as the autumn leaves drifted down around them in the golden afternoon light.
