Chapter 9 - The Promise on the Cliffs
Two months later, as the late summer sunset painted the New Jersey sky in brilliant shades of pink, gold, and purple, Dominic took Mara to the highest cliff overlooking Bellhaven Bay.
The ocean waves crashed gently against the rocks below, sending a cool salt breeze rustling through Mara’s hair.
She wore a soft white lace dress that flowed around her curves, her eyes bright with contentment. Over the past few months, under Dominic’s fierce love and support, any lingering insecurity about her place in the world had completely vanished. She was confident, loved, and revered by everyone who knew her.
Dominic took both of her hands in his, looking into her eyes with a devotion so deep it made the surrounding world fade into background noise.
"Nine months ago," Dominic began, his voice rough with emotion, "I walked into my breakfast room expecting to deal with ordinary estate business. Instead, I found a woman kneeling on the marble floor, bruised and humiliated, yet holding her head higher than anyone I had ever met."
He reached into his pocket, bringing out a small black velvet box.
"You healed my father," Dominic said softly, opening the box to reveal a stunning, flawless yellow canary diamond ring, glowing like sunlight set in platinum. "You brought life back into a dead house. And you taught a cold, dangerous man how to love again."
Dominic dropped to one knee on the grass—a man who bowed to no one in this city, bowing willingly before the woman who owned his heart.
"Mara Ellis," Dominic whispered, looking up at her with tears shining in his eyes. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you rule this estate, this empire, and my life by my side?"
Mara covered her mouth with both hands, tears of pure, unadulterated happiness spilling down her cheeks.
She didn't hesitate for a single second.
"Yes!" Mara cried out, her voice ringing across the cliffs. "Yes, Dominic! A thousand times yes!"
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Dominic stood up, sliding the breathtaking ring onto her finger before pulling her into a passionate kiss as the sun dipped beneath the horizon.
From a golf cart parked fifty yards away, Elias clapped his hands wildly, letting out a joyful cheer that echoed over the sea.
