Chapter 13 - THE QUESTION BENEATH THE OLD OAK TREE
Alessandro proposed in the garden where Meline had first found Giovanni.
It was spring.
The rain had stopped.
The old oak tree was covered in fresh leaves.
Giovanni sat near the window with a cup of tea.
He pretended to read.
He was not fooling anyone.
Meline walked beside Alessandro.
“Why are we here?”
He smiled.
“Because I wanted to show you something.”
She looked around.
“The garden?”
He nodded.
“The place where you changed my father's life.”
Meline smiled.
“He changed mine too.”
Alessandro stopped beneath the oak.
Then turned toward her.
“Meline.”
Her heart quickened.
He took both her hands.
“When I first saw you, you were on the floor.”
Her smile faded slightly.
He continued.
“And everyone else was standing.”
His voice softened.
“But you were the strongest person in that room.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“You had every reason to protect yourself.”
He swallowed.
“But you chose kindness.”
He lowered himself onto one knee.
Meline gasped.
Alessandro opened a small velvet box.
Inside was a beautiful ring.
Not enormous.
Not designed to impress strangers.
Just elegant.
“Meline Pierce, I love you.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I love you too.”
He smiled.
“Will you marry me?”
She laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
From the window, Giovanni shouted:
“FINALLY!”
Meline burst out laughing.
Alessandro looked toward the house.
“Dad!”
Giovanni waved his walking stick.
“Don't keep the lady waiting!”
Alessandro stood.
Slipped the ring onto Meline's finger.
And kissed her beneath the oak tree.
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For the first time, Meline didn't feel like the maid who had been humiliated on the marble floor.
She felt like a woman choosing her own future.
