Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL WITHOUT A DEBT
Two years after the wedding that never happened, Gabriel invited Paige to dinner.
Not at his estate.
Not at a luxury hotel.
At a small restaurant near the water.
Paige wore a simple green dress.
Gabriel wore a dark suit.
They ate pasta.
Shared dessert.
Talked about ordinary things.
After dinner, Gabriel suggested a walk.
They stopped beside the waterfront.
The city lights shimmered across the water.
Gabriel took Paige's hand.
“I have something to ask you.”
Paige smiled.
“That's ominous.”
He laughed.
Then grew serious.
“Two years ago, I walked into a cathedral because I wanted revenge.”
Paige listened.
“I thought I was rescuing you.”
He shook his head.
“But the truth is, you rescued yourself.”
Paige's eyes filled.
“You chose to leave.”
He continued.
“You chose to speak.”
“You chose to rebuild your life.”
“And somewhere along the way, you taught me how to rebuild mine.”
He knelt.
Paige covered her mouth.
Gabriel opened a small velvet box.
Inside was a delicate diamond ring.
“No debts.”
He smiled.
“No bargains.”
“No obligations.”
“Just one question.”
He looked up.
“Paige, will you marry me?”
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
She laughed.
“Yes.”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
She knelt beside him.
“Yes, Gabriel.”
May you like
He kissed her.
And for the first time, a proposal felt like an open door instead of a locked one.
