The following days were strange. weird, but good. Amelia woke up every morning without fear, without dread, without her fathers expectations on her chest. She still had the occasional nightmare, still woke up in the middle of the night with her heart pounding, still instinctively reached out for Damien. He was always around. Always awake. Ready to hold her until the fear disappeared.
This morning felt different. Sun streamed in through the curtains and birds sang outside and the city buzzed with life below. Amelia stretched slowly, her body rested, her mind empty of thought. Damien was up already, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at her with a gentle smile. “You’re staring.
He shrugged. Enjoying the view.
She laughed. ” “That’s corny.” “I know.” He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. “But I meant it.
A warmth spread through her chest. “Breakfast?” “Sophia’s already down.” “She’s up early.” “She said something about a celebration in the works.”
Amelia scowled. “Celebration?”
He just smiled, enigmatic. “Wait and see. He stood and pulled her up from the bed, holding her hand. Do come on.
Together they walked down the stairs, the mansion busy this morning, staff moving quietly, sunlight flooding each window. Sophia burst into the kitchen doorway, practically glowing. “Good morning!” “You’re in a good mood,” Amelia said. “Well, of course I am. “It’s a celebration day today.”
Amelia looked at Damien. “What are you guys up to?”
Sophia took a step forward. “It’s been a month since you testified. One month since your dad got arrested. It’s been a month since you started your new life. She clasped Amelia’s hands. “We’re celebrating you.” “Sophia…
‘No argument.’ Sophia clasped her hands together. You’ve earned this.”
She’s right,” Damien said, coming closer. His hand was gentle on Amelia’s face. You were living. You fight, you win.” His voice fell. Let us rejoice in that.
Tears burned behind her eyes. “Okay.”
Sophia clapped her hands. “Great. Now get dressed. We have plans.” “What kind of plans?”
“You’ll see,” Sophia said, disappearing back into the kitchen.
Amelia looked at Damien. “What is happening?”
“I have no idea,” he said, shrugging.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
His eyes sparkled. I’m an excellent liar. I’m just telling you the truth.
‘Not a chance.
“Absolutely.”
They went back upstairs, where clothes had been laid out on the bed, a simple elegant dress. Beauties. She ran her hand over the cloth. “Sophia selected this?” “She’s been in the planning stages for weeks.”
“Weeks?
A warmth spread in her chest. “I don’t know what I did to deserve her.”
“You loved her,” he said simply. “That’s not”
It is. His voice went soft. You loved her. You protected her.” You fought for her.’ ” He stopped. That’s why she’s doing it.”
She leaned into his palm. “How about you?”
He smiled a little. “Just happy to be here.” “Liar.”
He chuckled. “Perhaps.
She dressed quickly, the dress fitting perfectly, and stared at her own reflection. The woman who looked back was not herself. Harder. More sure. More alive.
Sophia entered the room, her face already streaked with tears. “Amelia.” “What?”
“You are beautiful.”
Amelia’s eyes filled, too. Thank you.
Sophia crossed the room and caught her hands. “You’ve come far. From that night in the ballroom From your father’s reign. Of all things.” She gave a light squeeze. I’m proud of you.
Amelia embraced her. “I love you. Love you too,” Sophia said, hugging her back hard.
Damien appeared in the doorway, there was a softness, a vulnerability to his eyes. “Are you ready?
“Ready.
They went downstairs together and the living room was completely transformed – flowers everywhere, candles glowing, soft music playing. Amelia paused in the doorway. What is all this?
“A celebration,” said Sophia. “I told you.”
Amelia spun around in a circle, the room like something out of a dream. Damien moved up and took her hand. “Damien. This is for you.”
“The contract was revenge,” he said, his voice low. “But this, this is something different.” “What?
He reached into his pocket and produced a small box. Her breath hitched. Damien.
He opened it. Slowly. A circle. Easy. Elegant. Beautiful. Not a contract ring. One of the real ones. “I know we started with a contract,” he said, his voice rough. “Yes, I know it’s fast. “I know we are still healing.” He faltered. But I love you. And I want to prove it to you for the rest of my life.
She glanced at him. Are you “Proposing?” he said, smiling. “Yes.
Her eyes filled with tears. “Damien”
You don’t have to answer now.” He evened his voice. “Just give it time. Consider it. Speak to Sophia. Whatever you want.
She stepped forward, pulled him to her, and kissed him gently. “Yeah.”
His breath stopped. “Yes?”
She pulled away, looking into his eyes. “Yep.
His face broke into a smile, the real smile, the one that got into his eyes. “Are you sure?
“I’ve never been more certain of anything.
He slipped the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit. She looked at it, watching it glimmer softly in the candlelight. proof that something broken could grow into something beautiful.
Across the room, Sophia was clapping, tears of joy streaming down her face. “At last!”
Amelia laughed. “You knew?”
“I helped him choose the ring.”
“You told Sophia before I did?
Damien shrugged. “She has good taste”
Sophia came running over and threw her arms around both of them. I’m so happy for you.
“Thanks,” said Amelia, hugging her back.
Sophia backed away, wiped her eyes. Okay. Enough of the tears. Let’s have a party.
They all sat together, food, laughter, music, it all felt just right. Amelia looked at Damien, his hand around hers, the ring catching the light on her finger. Her father’s mastery was gone. Edward’s menace was falling into the background. And the future looked bright ahead.
She laid her head on Damien’s shoulder. “I never thought I would be here.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “I didn’t either.But I am glad I am.”
“Same.”
Sophia lifted her glass. “To start fresh starts.”
“To a new beginning,” Amelia echoed, raising hers. “To us,” Damien said, raising his.
The glasses clinked gently against each other, and the sound rang out through the room. Amelia looked at her best friend, her future husband, a life she never could have expected, a love she never believed she deserved. But there she was. And she was going to stay. Always.
Music and laughter went on with the party. And for the first time in her life, Amelia Laurent felt absolutely free. I loved it all the way. And completely prepared for whatever was next.
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