Chapter 14 - THE SECOND KEY
Adrien proposed on a winter evening.
The estate was covered in snow.
The garden lights glowed beneath the trees.
Isabella arrived expecting dinner.
Instead, Adrien met her in the foyer.
He wore a dark suit.
His expression was nervous.
She smiled.
"What's going on?"
He took her hand.
"Come with me."
He led her to the console table.
The small wooden box was there.
Inside lay the brass key she'd returned the day she left.
Isabella stared.
"Adrien."
He smiled faintly.
"I kept it."
"I know."
He opened the box.
Beside the old key lay another.
A new key.
And a diamond ring.
Isabella covered her mouth.
Adrien knelt.
Her breath caught.
"Isabella Bennett," he said, "the day you left, I thought I'd lost the only person who made this house feel alive."
His voice trembled.
"I wanted to stop you."
"But I knew you had the right to go."
Tears filled her eyes.
He continued.
"You taught me that love isn't ownership."
"It's trust."
"It's freedom."
"It's choosing someone every day."
He lifted the ring.
"I love you."
He smiled.
"Will you marry me?"
Isabella nodded.
"Yes."
Adrien laughed softly.
"Yes?"
She smiled through tears.
"Yes, Adrien."
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
Then stood and kissed her.
She looked at the new key.
"What's that for?"
Adrien smiled.
"Our home."
Isabella laughed.
"Your home?"
He shook his head.
May you like
"Ours."
And for the first time, the word felt right.
