The grandfather clock in the grand hall chimed midnight, echoing through the cavernous foyer of the Mercer estate.

Two months later, the winter snow was beginning to melt, giving way to the soft light of early spring.

The fallout from the Sterling Global scandal had dominated international news for weeks. Arthur Sterling and Marcus Vance were facing multiple felony charges with no possibility of bail, while Victoria Sterling was forced to surrender all corporate assets to settle out-of-court damages.

Mercer Urban Systems had survived the storm. In fact, after Ethan held a public press conference revealing the full truth—introducing Hannah as the brilliant architect behind his renewed life vision—the company's stock had surged to an all-time high. Public sympathy and admiration for Ethan’s refusal to sacrifice his family had transformed him from a cold billionaire CEO into a beloved figure.

On a quiet Sunday afternoon, a silver SUV pulled up to a scenic hillside lot overlooking the lake, twenty miles outside the city.

Ethan stepped out of the driver's side, opening the back door to help four-year-old Avery out of her car seat. Avery was wearing a bright yellow coat, her hazel eyes sparkling with excitement.

Hannah stepped out from the passenger side, looking at the breathtaking landscape. In the center of the green lot sat a newly laid concrete foundation, with wooden framing beginning to take shape—the exact replica of the architectural model Hannah had designed in her college apartment five years ago.

"Look, Mommy!" Avery squealed, pointing at the construction site. "It’s the drawing house!"

"It is, sweetheart," Hannah said, her voice filled with emotion as she walked up beside Ethan.

Ethan put his arm around Hannah's waist, pulling her close against his side. "The framing will be finished by next month. The contractors promised me the entire house will be ready before summer."

"Ethan... it’s beautiful," Hannah whispered, looking up at him. "It’s exactly how we imagined it."

"Not exactly," Ethan said with a soft smile. "We added a play wing for Avery, and a private design studio for you."

Hannah turned to him, surprised. "A design studio?"

"Julian and I finalized the paperwork yesterday," Ethan revealed, pulling a document from his coat pocket. "Mercer Urban Systems is launching a new sustainable housing division, and the board unanimously voted to appoint you as Chief Architectural Officer."

Hannah stared at the document, tears welling in her eyes. "Ethan... I haven't finished my degree..."

"You’re finishing it this spring—I've already spoken to the dean at the university. They reviewed your portfolios and reinstated your credits with full honors," Ethan said, gently wiping a tear from her cheek. "You were always the visionary, Hannah. I just built the infrastructure. It’s time the world saw what you can do."

Avery ran ahead toward the wooden framing, laughing as she chased a butterfly through the tall grass.

Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, navy-blue velvet box.

Hannah’s breath caught in her throat.

"Five years ago, I carried this ring in my pocket for three weeks, waiting for the right moment to ask you to be my wife," Ethan said, his voice deep and filled with intense devotion. He dropped to one knee on the soft grass, looking up at her. "I lost five years with you, Hannah. I lost watching my daughter take her first steps, hearing her first words. But I vow to spend the rest of my life making sure neither of you ever feel unprotected, unwanted, or unloved again."

He opened the box, revealing a exquisite emerald-cut diamond ring that caught the spring sunlight.

"Hannah Brooks, will you marry me, and help me build our home?"