Page 152 of Code of Heart

“I said I agree,” he repeated calmly. “Wedoneed to talk, and we will. But after we arrive.”

Confusion flickered through her, quickly followed by curiosity.

“Great. Awesome.” She crossed her arms but couldn’t hold the tension. “Where exactly are we going?”

Without answering, Levi reached across the console, lifted her hand to his lips, and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. His eyes gleamed with mischief as he whispered, “It’s a surprise.”

Aurelia narrowed her gaze but let him have this one…for now. She took in his outfit of worn jeans, sneakers, and a soft,long-sleeved crewneck. Simple and casual, ruling out anything formal, at least.

She thanked the universe for that small mercy, considering she was dressed equally as casually. Comfortable in skinny jeans, sneakers, and a lightweight Henley. Her hair was thrown up haphazardly and out of the way. Not exactly the kind of look she wanted for a life-altering conversation, but it would have to do.

They turned off the main road and onto a secluded path leading deep into the woods.

Had she not trusted him implicitly, she might have been somewhat concerned. The towering trees swallowed the sky, their shadows dark and foreboding, making the road ahead barely visible.

Finally, the woods gave way to a quiet clearing, and the sight before her stole every word from her lips.

Nestled against a steaming lagoon was a tiny, rustic cottage straight out of a fairytale. Its sloped wooden roof and natural stone walls were wrapped in delicate vines and glowing string lights. Warm lanterns flickered between the trees, bathing everything in soft, golden light.

A winding dock stretched out over the lagoon, leading to a cozy seating area outfitted with plush cushions and a woven rattan loveseat. A table for two was set under the canopy of lights, a picnic dinner waiting, the scent of roses perfuming the air.

Aurelia’s breath caught, mesmerized by the scene.

Levi stepped out of the car, came around, and opened her door. His hand reached for hers, warm and steady.

Heart pounding, she let him help her to her feet, her eyes wide as she continued to take it all in.

“Levi…” Her voice was barely a whisper. “What is this?”

He said nothing at first. Then he took a deep, fortifying breath, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Aurelia’s heart stilled, the world around them fading to the background as Levi slowly dropped to one knee.

“I know I’ve made mistakes,” he began, his voice thick with emotion but unwavering. “I know I’ve hurt you in ways you never deserved. And for that…I’ll never forgive myself. I let fear and my past dictate my actions. I didn’t fight for us when it mattered most. But I’m here now and I don’t want to spend another day without you by my side…not because of a contract, not because of circumstance, but because I love you, Aurelia. I love you in so many ways I never thought I was capable of.”

Her vision blurred, tears welling in her eyes as he opened the box to reveal the rings she had once given back in anger.

“I’ve spent these last few months doing what I should have done from the very beginning—getting to know the real you. In doing that, I’ve fallen even more hopelessly in love. So, if you’ll have me…this time, let’s do it right. No obligations. No expectations. Only choice…because I chooseyou.”

Aurelia pressed her trembling hand to her lips, her heart so full it felt like it might break under the weight of it all. Finally…Finallyshe let the tension go, her lips curving into a slow, radiant smile.

“Yes,” she whispered. Then louder, stronger.“Yes, Levi. I want to stay married to you.”

Relief and joy collided across Levi’s face. Grinning like a fool who hit the jackpot, he slid the rings back onto her finger where they belonged and pulled her down into his arms, holding her like he never wanted to let go.

The night wrapped around them like a blessing, sealing a promise neither of them would ever break again.

Not just an arranged contractual marriage, but the beginning of something real. It was the beginning of forever.

Levi

After months of waiting and planning, Levi was finally ready to take the next step. He was going to propose to his wife…tonight.

Aurelia had her final doctor’s appointment that morning, and he silently hoped she had been cleared from needing the walking boot and air cast. He had made sure she followed every recovery instruction to the letter, even resigning himself to sleeping in that damn guest bedroom all this time.

While his mansion sat on the market, he had held onto one untouched piece of property, a hidden gem his grandmother had cherished. The idea of proposing there had come to him weeks ago, remembering how his grandfather built that little cottage as a testament of love.

Levi’s father was a bastard in every sense of the word, but he still remembered what a true gentleman his paternal grandfather was. Though his time in Levi’s life was too short, he showered him with the love and attention his parents should have provided.