Chapter 14 - THE QUESTION BESIDE THE WINDOW
Adrien proposed on a rainy Thursday evening.
We were at Mrs. Ellis's house.
My mother sat in the living room with Thomas.
They were slowly rebuilding their marriage.
It wasn't easy.
There were difficult conversations.
Years of anger.
Questions without simple answers.
But they were trying.
Mrs. Ellis was doing a crossword puzzle.
Adrien asked me to join him in the garden room.
I followed.
Rain tapped against the windows.
He looked nervous.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Did you break something?"
He laughed.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
He shook his head.
Then took my hands.
"Sophie."
My heart quickened.
He looked at me.
"The first day we met, you told me power was worthless if I watched cruelty and did nothing."
I smiled.
"I was having a bad day."
He laughed.
"You were right."
His expression softened.
"You changed the way I see the world."
My eyes filled.
He continued.
"You taught me that kindness isn't weakness."
Then he knelt.
I gasped.
He opened a velvet box.
Inside was a ring.
Simple.
Beautiful.
"Sophie Carter, will you marry me?"
I began crying.
"Yes."
He smiled.
"Yes?"
I laughed.
"Yes, you terrifying idiot."
He stood and kissed me.
From the living room, Mrs. Ellis shouted:
"FINALLY!"
I burst out laughing.
Adrien closed his eyes.
"Mother."
She appeared in the doorway.
May you like
"What? I was getting impatient."
And for once, the most feared man in Chicago had absolutely no idea what to say.
