Chapter 97 - The Vow in the Garden
That evening, after the flower shop had closed and the sun began its slow dip below the Atlantic horizon, the back garden was illuminated by dozens of small, warm fairy lights strung between the apple trees.
A modest wooden table was set with fresh seafood, homemade bread, and a bottle of simple white wine. Leo was sitting on the grass nearby, completely absorbed in building a miniature fortress out of twigs and pebbles, giggling whenever the sea breeze ruffled his hair.
Alexander walked over to where Elena stood by the flowering rose bushes. In his hand was a small, unadorned silver band—not the monstrous diamond ring from their first corporate-mandated marriage, but a simple, elegant circle forged from pure silver.
"No paparazzi," Alexander said quietly, taking her hand. "No high-society gossip. No contracts, no prenuptial agreements, and no lies."
Elena looked down at the ring, her eyes shining under the fairy lights. "Just us?"
"Just us," Alexander replied, his voice thick with emotion. "I, Alexander Sterling, choose you, Elena Sinclair. Not because of a family pact, not because of a company merger, but because you are my heart. Without you, every empire I ever built was completely empty. I promise to protect you, to honor you, and to spend every single day earning the love you’ve given me."
Elena pulled him close, her hands wrapping around the back of his neck as he slid the silver ring onto her finger.
"I choose you too, Alexander," she whispered against his lips. "For the simple days, for the hard days, and for everything that comes next."
May you like
When their lips met, the sea breeze seemed to hold its breath. For the first time in four years, the shadow of fear, deceit, and separation was completely vanquished. Standing together in the quiet sanctuary of the garden, their family was finally whole.
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