“You have five minutes to leave before he wakes up.” The warning came from a man with a broken nose, a tailored black suit, and one hand resting under his jacket.

One year later.

The summer evening was warm over Lake Michigan.

The outdoor terrace at the Moretti private estate in Evanston was filled with music, glowing string lights, and the laughter of fifty close friends, family members, and medical staff from Chicago Memorial.

Nora stood near the stone balustrade overlooking the dark water, wearing a stunning, custom-made burgundy silk dress that flowed over her curves like liquid wine. A simple diamond necklace glittered against her throat—a gift from Gabriel on their first anniversary as a couple.

She felt a pair of strong, familiar arms wrap around her waist from behind.

Gabriel pulled her back against his broad, muscular chest, resting his chin softly against her neck, breathing in the scent of her jasmine perfume and antiseptic soap—a scent he had grown to love more than anything in the world.

"What are you thinking about?" Gabriel asked softly, kissing her cheek.

"I was thinking about the night I met you," Nora smiled, laying her hands over his arms. "The night five nurses ran away, and Luca told me I wouldn't survive the hour."

Gabriel laughed softly, his deep chest vibrating against her back. "Luca was an idiot. I knew the moment you threatened to cook my good judgment that I was never letting you leave that room."

Luca walked out onto the terrace holding a glass of champagne, raising it toward them with a wide grin. "I heard that, boss! And for the record, hiring Nurse Bennett was the best security decision I ever made!"

Nora laughed, taking Gabriel's hand as he turned her around to face him.

His eyes traveled over her beautiful, radiant face, his hands resting possessively on her waist.

"Your father called from Florida today," Gabriel mentioned softly. "He said he’s coming up for the wedding in October."

Nora’s eyes softened with profound happiness. "He’s so proud, Gabriel. He told me yesterday he’s never seen me look this happy."

"You deserve every second of it, my love," Gabriel whispered.

He gently reached behind his back, taking her hand and placing her gloved palm directly over the lower lumbar area of his back—right over the small, faint scar where the surgery had taken place a year ago.

"Whenever I feel that scar ache when the weather turns cold," Gabriel murmured, looking deep into her eyes with an unconditional, eternal love, "it reminds me of the night my life truly began. The night the bravest woman in the world found the scar nobody else was supposed to see."

Nora leaned up on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his in a long, deep, breathtaking kiss under the glowing lights of the Chicago sky.