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Scarlett froze, her breath catching. “Christian…”
“Sit with me.”
For a moment, she hesitated, but then she crossed the room, sinking into the chair I pulled out for her. I poured more wine into her glass, watching as she studied me carefully.
“What’s going on?” she finally asked.
I exhaled slowly, rolling my sleeves up before resting my forearms on the table.
“We’ve been through hell and back,” I started. “Victoria tried to destroy you. People doubted you. You doubted yourself.”
Scarlett’s lips parted slightly, but she didn’t interrupt.
I reached for her hand, threading my fingers through hers. “But you won. And not just against her—you won against every damn thing life threw at you.”
A breath shuddered through her.
I squeezed her hand. “And I want to keep winning—with you.”
Her throat bobbed. “Christian…”
“I love you,” I said, my voice steady. “I have from the moment you stormed into my life and turned everything upside down.”
A small smirk tugged at her lips, but I wasn’t done, I continued, “You are my future, Scarlett. You and our baby.”
Her eyes glistened, emotions warring on her face.
I let go of her hand and reached into my pocket, pulling out the small velvet box. The moment I flipped it open, her breath hitched.
Inside was a diamond ring—timeless, elegant, undeniable. Just like her.
Scarlett stared at it, wide-eyed. “Christian…”
I stood, pulling her up with me.
“I don’t want to wait,” I admitted. “I don’t want to waste another second pretending I could ever be without you.” I took a slow breath, my heart pounding harder than it should have. “Marry me.”
Scarlett’s lips parted, and for a split second, I saw the hesitation flicker in her eyes. But then?—
Her expression changed.
Her shoulders straightened, her chin lifted, and she looked at me like she knew—without a doubt—that this was exactly where she was meant to be.
“Yes,” she whispered.
The word was barely out of her mouth before I was kissing her, cupping her face as she melted into me.
It was different this time—more than passion, more than desire. It was certainty.
Her hands fisted in my shirt, her lips urgent against mine. I felt the tremble in her fingers, the way she clung to me like she was holding onto something bigger than both of us.
When we finally broke apart, I pressed my forehead against hers. “Say it again.”
She let out a shaky laugh. “Yes.”
I slid the ring onto her finger, watching as it settled in place. Perfect.
Scarlett looked up at me, her smile soft but sure. “You really think we can do this?”