Chapter 13 - THE PROPOSAL WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE
Vincent proposed on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Not at a gala.
Not in front of wealthy donors.
Not beneath chandeliers.
At Clare's apartment.
She was wearing an oversized sweater.
Her hair was tied in a loose bun.
And she was trying to fix a stubborn kitchen drawer.
Vincent stood in the doorway.
“Need help?”
Clare looked up.
“Are you good with tools?”
He considered.
“Not particularly.”
She laughed.
“Then hold the flashlight.”
He obeyed.
They worked for twenty minutes.
The drawer finally slid into place.
Clare stood.
“There.”
Vincent smiled.
“Impressive.”
She grinned.
“I know.”
Then she noticed his expression.
“What?”
He looked nervous.
Very nervous.
“Clare.”
She frowned.
“Are you all right?”
He nodded.
Then reached into his pocket.
Her breath caught.
A small velvet box.
He opened it.
Inside was a ring.
Elegant.
Simple.
A single diamond surrounded by tiny engraved musical notes.
Clare stared.
“Vincent.”
He swallowed.
“The first time I offered to marry you, I did it to humiliate you.”
Her eyes filled.
He continued.
“I thought power meant I could say anything and everyone would laugh.”
His voice broke.
“You showed me how wrong I was.”
Clare covered her mouth.
He looked into her eyes.
“I don't want to marry you because you can play a violin.”
She began crying.
“I want to marry you because you're brave, stubborn, compassionate, and honest.”
He smiled through tears.
“Because you make me want to be better without ever pretending I already am.”
Clare laughed softly.
“And because you never let me forget that the truth matters more than my pride.”
He held out the ring.
“Clare Bennett.”
His voice trembled.
“Will you marry me?”
She stared at him.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
Vincent blinked.
“Yes?”
She laughed.
“Yes, Vincent.”
He pulled her into his arms.
She kissed him.
Then whispered:
“Just so we're clear, I was never going to marry you because of that ridiculous promise.”
He laughed.
“I know.”
She smiled.
“But this one?”
He looked at her.
“This one I mean.”
May you like
Clare kissed him again.
“Then yes.”
