Chapter 14 - THE RING BESIDE THE YELLOW FLOWER
Two years after the attack, Brielle completed her youth counseling certification.
She stood on a small stage receiving her certificate.
Evelyn applauded.
Lily cheered.
Dominic stood beside them, smiling proudly.
Afterward, they celebrated at the community center.
Children had made decorations.
Yellow flowers covered the tables.
Brielle laughed.
“Did you plan all this?”
Dominic shook his head.
“Mostly Lily.”
The little girl grinned.
“Daddy helped.”
Later, Dominic asked Brielle to walk with him.
They stepped into the garden.
The evening air was warm.
Dominic stopped beside a small flower bed.
Yellow wildflowers grew beneath the fence.
Brielle smiled.
“Lily's favorite.”
Dominic nodded.
He took her hands.
“Two years ago, you stood in front of a gun to protect people you didn't know.”
Brielle looked down.
He continued.
“You changed my daughter's life.”
His voice softened.
“You changed mine.”
Brielle's eyes filled.
Dominic took a breath.
“I used to think love meant protecting people by controlling everything around them.”
He shook his head.
“But you taught me that love means respecting their choices.”
He knelt.
Brielle covered her mouth.
Dominic opened a small velvet box.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
“Brielle Dawson, will you marry me?”
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
She laughed.
“Yes.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
She knelt beside him.
“Yes, Dominic.”
He kissed her.
From behind a nearby tree, Lily shouted:
“SHE SAID YES!”
Evelyn burst into laughter.
Brielle turned.
“You were spying?”
Lily ran forward.
“Grandma said it was a surprise!”
Dominic laughed.
And beneath the yellow flowers, Brielle realized something extraordinary.
She had spent years believing her life was defined by the sister she couldn't save.
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Now she understood.
Her life was also defined by the people she had loved enough to keep living for.
