Chapter 9 - The Harbor of Peace
A month later, the autumn leaves in Bellevue turned brilliant shades of crimson and gold. The media storm had finally died down. Arthur Drake had quietly resigned and retired to Europe under threat of prosecution, leaving Griffin in complete, uncontested control of his company.
At the lakeside estate, life had settled into a gentle, joyful rhythm.
Sloan stood on the wide wooden back deck, wrapped in a cozy cashmere sweater, holding a steaming mug of tea as she watched the sunset reflect off the calm waters of Lake Washington. Down on the lawn near the dock, Griffin was running around with Hazel and Iris, kicking a soccer ball while the girls giggled uncontrollably, trying to tackle their father to the grass.
Watching Griffin laugh—a real, unburdened, deep laugh that she hadn't heard in nearly ten years—made Sloan's chest swell with a warmth she thought she had lost forever.
Griffin gently tagged Iris, kissed Hazel on the top of her head, and let the girls continue their game before turning to walk up the lawn toward the deck. He climbed the wooden stairs, stepping behind Sloan and wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.
She leaned into him naturally, closing her eyes as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"The doctor said your latest MRI is completely clear," Griffin whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "No signs of residual bleeding. You're fully healed, Sloan."
"I am," she murmured softly, covering his hands with her own. "In more ways than one."
He spun her gently around in his arms so she was facing him. The storm-gray eyes that had once looked so full of grief and longing were now bright, warm, and overflowing with love.
Reaching into his coat pocket, Griffin pulled out a small, dark velvet box.
Sloan gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"I kept this in my office safe for nine years," Griffin said, his voice thick with deep emotion as he opened the box to reveal a stunning solitaire diamond ring—the very ring he had bought before she disappeared. "I never gave up hope that somehow, somewhere, you would come back to me. Sloan, you gave me the greatest gifts of my life in Hazel and Iris. But my life was never complete without you."
May you like
He looked into her eyes with solemn, unconditional devotion. "Will you marry me, Sloan? Will you let me spend the rest of my life making up for the years we lost?"
Tears of pure happiness spilled over Sloan’s cheeks. "Yes," she whispered, her voice soaring over the sound of the gentle lake waves. "Yes, Griffin. A thousand times yes."
