Chapter 9 - THE PROPOSAL ON THE CLIFF
A month after Julian Bennett left the country forever, the sun was setting over the Hudson Valley.
Luca had taken Elena and Mia to the Moretti family’s summer retreat—a breathtaking stone villa sitting high on a cliff overlooking the winding river below.
The evening air was soft and warm, filled with the scent of pine and wild honeysuckle.
Mia was sitting on the wide grassy lawn, giggling as she chased a tiny golden retriever puppy that Luca had given her for her fourth birthday two weeks earlier.
Elena stood near the stone balustrade, holding a glass of white wine, watching her daughter playing in complete freedom and safety.
Luca walked out onto the terrace, stepping up behind Elena. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest, resting his chin gently on her shoulder.
"She loves the puppy," Elena murmured, leaning her head back against him.
"Her name is Goldie," Luca said with a quiet laugh. "Mia insists that Goldie is now the official security chief of the estate."
Elena turned in his arms, resting her hands against his chest, looking up into his face.
"Thank you, Luca," she whispered softly. "For everything you did with Julian. For protecting us. For giving us a life where we don't have to look over our shoulders anymore."
Luca looked into her brown eyes, seeing the quiet, beautiful depth of the woman who had transformed his dark, lonely world into something bright and full of hope.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
Elena’s breath hitched. Her hand flew to her lips.
Luca dropped down onto one knee on the flagstone terrace. He popped the velvet box open, revealing a flawless three-carat emerald-cut diamond ring that caught the golden light of the setting sun.
"Elena Bennett," Luca spoke, his voice deep, strong, and vibrating with profound emotion. "Two years ago, you walked into my house as a quiet housekeeper. One night, you stood beside me in the dark with a revolver, ready to fight the world to protect your child. And over the past six months, you showed me what it truly means to love and be loved."
Tears streamed down Elena’s cheeks—tears of pure, unadulterated happiness.
"I don't want to just protect you and Mia, Elena," Luca continued, his gray eyes shining with devotion. "I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Will you marry me?"
Before Elena could answer, the patter of tiny footsteps sounded across the grass.
Mia came running up, holding her golden puppy in her arms, looking at Luca on his knee.
"Uncle Luca!" Mia asked, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. "Are you asking Mommy if we can stay forever and ever?"
Luca looked at Mia, smiling warmly. "I'm asking Mommy if I can be your daddy forever, Mia."
Mia’s face lit up with absolute joy. She bounced on her feet, clapping her hands. "Say yes, Mommy! Say yes!"
Elena let out a breathless, joyful laugh, dropping down to her knees right in front of Luca, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply.
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"Yes!" Elena whispered against his lips, tears touching her smile. "Yes, Luca! A thousand times yes!"
Luca pulled her tight against his chest, sliding the diamond ring onto her finger, while Mia jumped up and down beside them, the golden puppy barking happily in the summer dusk.
