The chapel doors were locked from the inside, and every man guarding them worked for the groom. My father stood beside me in the aisle, squeezing my wrist hard enough to bruise, s

As Agent Miller left, the sound of a smooth engine echoed up the long stone driveway.

A black sleek sedan pulled up to the front steps.

Luca stepped out, wearing a tailored navy suit without a tie, looking relaxed and strikingly handsome in the afternoon sunlight.

Maya immediately stopped chasing the puppy, gasped happily, and wobbled as fast as her little legs could carry her toward him. "Lu-ca!"

Luca dropped down to one knee without hesitation, catching her safely in his arms and lifting her high into the air as she squealed with delight. Chloe ran up right behind her, tugging at his pant leg until he scooped her up too.

Watching him hold my little sisters with such gentle, unforced care brought a profound warmth to my chest.

He walked over to the patio, setting the girls down on the soft grass near their toys, before stepping up to me.

"You look peaceful, Harper," he noted, his dark eyes scanning my face.

"I am peaceful," I admitted, leaning back against the patio railing. "It's a strange feeling. For twenty-one years, I spent every single morning waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for my father to yell, waiting for Damian to make a threat, waiting for the lies to catch up with me."

Luca leaned against the railing beside me, looking out at the glittering lake. "And now?"

"Now, the sky is just blue," I smiled. "And I don't have to run anymore."

Luca reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, sleek velvet box.

My heart skipped a tiny beat.

He saw my expression and laughed softly. "Relax, bride. It's not a ring. I know you've had enough of forced weddings to last three lifetimes."

He opened the box.

Inside lay a delicate gold necklace with a small, glowing sapphire pendant—cut in the shape of a tiny, perfect tear drop.

"What is this?" I asked softly.

"It belonged to your mother," Luca revealed, taking the necklace from the box. "Ethan gave it to me for safekeeping the week before he died. He wanted you to have it when the house was finally yours again."

I turned around, lifting my hair as Luca carefully fastened the clasp around my neck. The cool gold rested against my collarbone, warm and comforting.