Chapter 9 - The Promise
That evening, after the construction workers had left and the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange, pink, and gold, Dominic took Eliza for a walk along the private beach below the property.
The waveslapped softly against the sandy shore. Alex and Leo were further up the beach, happily chasing a golden retriever puppy named "Chief"—the promised family dog that Dominic had adopted two weeks earlier.
Dominic held Eliza’s hand tightly as they walked near the water's edge.
“Do you remember our wedding?” Dominic asked softly, looking out at the glowing horizon.
Eliza smiled gently, her dark hair blowing in the wind. “Of course I remember. It was in that cold chapel in Boston. We were so young. You spent half the reception talking to your father’s investment bankers.”
“I was an idiot,” Dominic stated plainly, stopping on the sand and turning her to face him.
“You were young and desperate to prove yourself to a powerful man,” Eliza corrected gently, placing her hand on his chest. “I forgave you for that a long time ago, Dominic.”
“I know,” Dominic whispered. “But I never gave you the life you deserved. I never gave you a real partnership.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet jewelry box Thomas Sterling had given him earlier that afternoon.
Eliza’s breath caught in her throat as he opened it, revealing the glowing yellow diamond ring beneath the evening sky.
Dominic dropped down onto one knee on the wet sand.
The billionaire who had brought down corporate empires, who had faced down federal investigations and ruthless enemies without flinching, looked up at her with eyes full of raw, honest vulnerability.
“Eliza Sullivan,” Dominic said, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. “You saved my life. You brought my sons into the world, you protected them from the dark, and you gave me a second chance when I didn't deserve one. I don't want to just be the father of your children. I want to be your husband. Truly, completely, and forever.”
Tears welled up in Eliza’s dark eyes, glistening like stars in the twilight.
“Will you marry me again?” Dominic asked softly. “Not for a merger. Not for a company. But because I love you with everything I am.”
Eliza knelt down on the sand beside him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder.
“Yes,” she sobbed happily, her voice filled with pure joy. “Yes, Dominic! A thousand times, yes!”
Up the beach, Alex and Leo stopped playing with the puppy and looked over at their parents.
“Look!” Alex pointed, giggled. “Daddy’s kissing Mommy again!”
“Eww!” Leo laughed, running over with the puppy trailing behind him. “Group hug!”
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Dominic and Eliza broke apart, laughing as their twin sons threw themselves into their arms on the sand, the little golden retriever jumping around them in excited circles.
Dominic wrapped his big arms around all three of them, pulling his family close against his chest as the warm summer sun set over the quiet waters of Lake Michigan.
