Chapter 12 - THE PROPOSAL THAT ALMOST DIDN'T HAPPEN
Matteo planned to propose in December.
He bought a ring.
Reserved a quiet restaurant.
And asked Cole for advice.
Cole stared at him.
Then signed:
You want to marry my sister?
Matteo nodded.
Cole folded his arms.
Why?
Matteo considered.
Then signed:
Because she sees me clearly.
Cole waited.
Matteo continued.
And because she never asks me to become smaller so she can feel safe.
Cole smiled faintly.
Good answer.
But the proposal was delayed.
The legal restructuring of Matteo's businesses took longer than expected.
Several contracts were suspended.
He faced difficult negotiations.
And he refused to promise Isla a stable future until he could be honest about what stability meant.
One evening, Isla found him sitting alone in his office.
He looked exhausted.
She signed:
What's wrong?
He shook his head.
Nothing.
She raised an eyebrow.
He smiled sadly.
You don't believe me.
No.
He told her about the pressure.
The financial losses.
The people who still wanted him to return to his old ways.
Isla listened.
Then signed:
Do you think I love your money?
He shook his head.
No.
Your reputation?
No.
Then why are you afraid?
He looked at her.
His hands trembled.
Because I don't know how to be loved without earning it through power.
Isla's eyes filled.
She took his hands.
Then signed:
You don't have to buy a place in my life.
He closed his eyes.
That night, Matteo put the ring back in its box.
Not because he no longer wanted to marry her.
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Because he finally understood that marriage wasn't a reward for becoming perfect.
It was a promise to keep growing together.
