Chapter 9 - The Proposal
Six months later.
The autumn leaves painted the cliffs of Monterey in vibrant shades of gold, amber, and deep red. Victor had booked the entire coastal estate for a private family weekend—just him, Amelia, Evan, and Nora.
As evening approached, the sky turned a breathtaking palette of violet and pink. Victor had arranged a private dinner on the ocean terrace, illuminated by hundreds of twinkling fairy lights and warm heat lamps.
The kids had just finished eating their favorite pancakes and were inside playing with Marcus, who had happily volunteered to be "Uncle Marcus" for the evening.
Amelia stepped out onto the terrace, wearing a beautiful navy silk dress that Victor had personally gifted her. The cool sea breeze blew her soft brown hair across her face, and she wrapped her shawl tightly around her shoulders.
Victor was standing by the stone railing, holding two glasses of sparkling cider. He handed one to her, his dark eyes shimmering with an emotion so intense it made her breath catch.
“It’s beautiful tonight,” Amelia said softly, looking out at the endless ocean.
“It is,” Victor agreed, but he wasn't looking at the ocean. He was looking at her. “Two years ago, Amelia, this house was just an asset on a balance sheet to me. I bought it because it was prestigious. I didn't care about the ocean. I didn't care about the sunset.”
He set his glass down on the stone table and took her hands in his.
“When my wife passed, I shut my heart down,” Victor continued, his voice thick with raw vulnerability. “I told myself that if I didn't feel anything, I couldn't be hurt again. I thought keeping my distance from Evan and Nora would protect them from my brokenness. I was a coward.”
Amelia shook her head softly, her eyes glistening with tears. “You weren't a coward, Victor. You were just hurting.”
“And then you came into our lives,” Victor whispered, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles. “You brought warmth into a house that was freezing cold. You taught my children how to love, and when I was lying on that marble floor pretending to be dead… you gave me a reason to wake up.”
Victor slowly sank down onto one knee on the wooden deck.
Amelia gasped, bringing her hands to her mouth, tears flooding her eyes.
Victor pulled a small, black velvet box from his jacket pocket and opened it. Inside sat a flawless, brilliant-cut diamond ring that caught the moonlight in a dazzling display of color.
“Amelia Brooks,” Victor said, his voice steady, filled with absolute devotion. “You saved my life in every way a person can be saved. You are the mother of my children, the love of my life, and my best friend. Will you do me the honor of marrying me and making this family whole forever?”
From the glass sliding doors behind them, Evan and Nora were pressing their tiny faces against the window, watching intently.
Amelia let out a choked, joyful sob. She dropped to her knees right in front of him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
May you like
“Yes!” she cried out, her tears falling onto his shoulder. “Yes, Victor! A thousand times yes!”
Victor let out a triumphant laugh, sliding the ring onto her finger before pulling her into a fiery, passionate kiss as the waves crashed against the cliffs below. The glass doors flew open, and Evan and Nora came running out, shouting with glee as they threw themselves into their parents’ embrace, making the circle of love complete.
