Chapter 13 - THE PROPOSAL WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE
Luca proposed on an ordinary Sunday morning.
No ballroom.
No chandeliers.
No powerful families waiting for an answer.
Just Luna's small kitchen.
Rain against the window.
Coffee on the counter.
And a slightly burned breakfast.
Luna stood beside the stove.
“You ruined the pancakes.”
Luca looked offended.
“They're rustic.”
She laughed.
“They're charcoal.”
He smiled.
Then grew serious.
“Luna.”
She turned.
He took a small box from his pocket.
Her breath caught.
He knelt.
Not because tradition demanded it.
Because he wanted to look up at the woman he loved.
“Three years ago, I announced to a room full of strangers that I wanted you to be my wife.”
Luna smiled through tears.
“You did.”
“And you told me no.”
“You deserved it.”
He laughed softly.
“I did.”
He opened the box.
Inside was a simple gold ring with a small emerald.
No enormous diamond.
No display of wealth.
Just something beautiful.
“Luna Reyes, you taught me that love isn't ownership.”
Her eyes filled.
“You taught me that being powerful means nothing if the people around you are afraid.”
He swallowed.
“And you taught me that the best things in life are the ones we choose freely.”
Luna covered her mouth.
He looked up.
“Will you marry me?”
She stared.
Then whispered:
“Yes.”
His eyes widened.
“Yes?”
She laughed.
“Yes, Luca.”
He stood.
She threw her arms around him.
He kissed her.
Softly.
Tenderly.
May you like
Without an audience.
And for the first time, the most important decision of Luca Moretti's life belonged to both of them.
