Nathan Cole had negotiated deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars without his hands ever shaking.

Three days later, the rain cleared over Seattle, replaced by a crisp, bright autumn sky.

At St. Catherine Medical Center, Claire was officially discharged. Her color had returned, her blood tests were stable, and though she was still weak, the radiance in her face was undeniable.

She stood in front of the mirror in her hospital suite, adjusting a soft cashmere sweater Nathan had bought for her. She looked at her reflection—thinner than she used to be, with faint dark circles under her eyes, but alive.

The door opened, and Nathan walked in carrying three small pink backpacks. Behind him, Ellie, Hannah, and Sophie marched into the room wearing matching white winter coats.

“Look, Mommy!” Sophie cheered, twirling around. “Daddy bought us coats with real fur on the hoods!”

Claire looked at Nathan, a gentle, timid smile on her lips. “Nathan, you didn’t have to buy all of this. You’re spoiling them.”

“I have five years of birthdays and Christmases to make up for,” Nathan replied, his eyes soft as he looked at her. “I’m just getting started.”

He handed the girls their backpacks. “Alright, team. Marcus is waiting downstairs with the big car. Go show him how fast you can put your seatbelts on.”

“Yay!” Hannah squealed, grabbing Sophie’s hand and running out the door. Ellie paused at the doorway, looking back at Nathan and Claire, before giving a small nod of approval and following her sisters.

When the room fell quiet, Nathan walked over to Claire. He pulled a familiar blue box from a shopping bag and set it on the table between them.

Claire gasped softly, touching the repaired edges of the box. “You found it.”

“I read the letters, Claire,” Nathan said, his voice thick with emotion. He reached out, taking her hands into his. “Every single one of them.”

Claire lowered her head, fresh tears forming in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Nathan. I’m sorry I ran. I thought I was protecting you, but I took five years of their lives away from you.”

“You gave them life, Claire,” Nathan corrected gently, lifting her chin with his thumb so she was forced to look into his eyes. “You protected them. You protected me. You bore a burden that would have crushed anyone else, and you did it out of love. You have nothing to apologize for.”

Claire wiped a tear from her cheek. “I was so scared you would hate me when you found out.”

“I could never hate you,” Nathan whispered. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, velvet-covered box. He opened it, revealing the diamond engagement ring she had left on the kitchen counter five years ago.

Claire’s breath hitched. “You kept it?”

“I kept it in my safe,” Nathan said. “I used to look at it when I was angry. Then I looked at it when I was sad. But today... I’m looking at it because it belongs right back where it started.”