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She turns to the boys. “Run.”

They vanish without another word.

“I love you!” Bea calls over her shoulder as she disappears into the hallway like a wraith with unfinished business.

I’m still standing in my robe and bare feet, confused and squinting at a room full of half-hung decorations when I feel him.

“Hey.”

I turn.

Vieri stands behind me in soft gray sweatpants and a loose white tee. His hair’s a mess, curls pushed back like he’s been pacing. There’s a look in his eyes—warm, steady, a little bit nervous.

“What is all this? Did I forget someone’s birthday?” I ask, voice quieter now.

He walks slowly toward me. The world seems to hold its breath. Then, he lowers himself to one knee.

He opens a small velvet box in his hand. Inside, the ring gleams—not oversized, not flashy, but perfect. Simple and sincere, gold wrapped around a diamond that catches the light just enough to glow.

His eyes are locked on mine. They shimmer with emotion I wasn’t expecting—hope, fear, reverence.

“I never thought I’d have this,” he says, voice thick. “Not you. Not this life. Not the chance to ask you this.”

I can’t move.

“Be my wife,” he says. “Be Mrs. Tavano.”

My breath gets caught somewhere in my chest. My heart hammers so loud it fills my ears. I cover my mouth with my hand. His eyes track every flicker of my expression—every tremble, every blink, every breath I forget to take.

He waits. His thumb shifts against the edge of the box, knuckles tense, jaw tight—but his gaze never wavers.

I drop to my knees in front of him and nod so hard my hair falls into my face. “Yes,” I whisper, then louder, with tears in my throat, “Yes.”

He exhales like he hasn’t breathed since he knelt. Then his arms wrap around me, warm and strong, pulling me into him like I’m the only thing in the world he’ll ever hold again.

His mouth finds mine—soft at first, reverent. Then deeper, more urgent. Like he’s pouring every promise into my lips. I kiss him back through tears and laughter, fingers tangling into his shirt, heart bursting so full it aches.

Behind us, I hear a cheer.

“Yes!” Bea yells. “Yes! She said yes!”

“About fucking time!” Alfio groans.

“Oh thank God she didn’t shoot him,” Enzo mutters.

I laugh, burying my face in Vieri’s neck. His hands slide to my waist. He leans down to whisper, lips brushing my temple. “You’ve already been mine for so long. Now I just want the world to know it.”

I rest my forehead against his.

“They already do.”

Riccardo bursts through the doorway, grinning wide and breathless, both arms raised high over his head. He’s holding a crumpled white banner, the words “SAY YES” scrawled across it in glittery red.

“Guys! I got it! I got the—” He halts mid-step, banner drooping as his eyes land on Vieri and me, still wrapped in each other, my cheeks damp from tears and laughter.

His mouth pulls into a crooked smirk. “A bit late, I see.”

I can’t help it—I giggle, burying my face against Vieri’s chest, while Vieri groans playfully into my hair.