Chapter 5 - THE PROPOSAL UNDER THE MOON
Two weeks after the park ambush, the final remnants of Rossi’s organization were completely dismantled by law enforcement and my security firm. The underworld threat that had haunted my life for a decade was erased forever.
With the danger gone, I made the most important decision of my life.
I officially retired from the syndicate, handing complete control of my legitimate corporate logistics firm over to Marcus and a board of directors, retaining only my shares. I walked away from the dark world of crime forever, choosing the light of my family over power and empire.
It was a warm, clear Saturday evening at our upstate estate.
The sunroom had been decorated with hundreds of tiny, glowing fairy lights that looked like a carpet of fallen stars. In the center of the room stood a massive paper moon sculpture—handcrafted by Claire and Maya over the past three days.
Hannah walked into the sunroom, wearing an elegant dark blue silk dress that matched her eyes. Her hair hung in soft waves down her shoulders. She looked breathtaking.
"Damon?" she called out softly, looking around the softly lit room in confusion. "Where are the girls? Maya said there was a surprise in here."
I stepped out from behind the grand paper moon sculpture, wearing a sharp black tuxedo.
In my hands, I held two small items: a glittery golden star made by Claire, and a small, velvet-lined mahogany box.
Hannah paused, her hand rising to her lips, her heart beating fast as she saw the look of profound, overwhelming love in my eyes.
"Three months ago, Hannah," I said, my voice rich and steady, "a young woman walked into my cold, empty house with a basket of laundry and a heart full of courage. I was a man who thought power meant carrying weapons and building walls. I thought my daughter was broken, and I thought I was doomed to live in the dark forever."
I took a slow step toward her, stopping right in front of her.
"You didn't just teach Claire how to walk, Hannah," I whispered, reaching out to take her soft, trembling hand in mine. "You taught me how to feel again. You showed me that real strength isn't about crushing your enemies—it's about protecting the people you love with everything you have."
Tears began to spill from Hannah’s eyes, sparkling like diamonds under the fairy lights.
"Damon..." she breathed softly.
I dropped to one knee on the rug before her.
I opened the mahogany box. Inside rested a flawless, five-carat oval diamond ring, flanked by two small sapphire stars representing Claire and Maya.
"Hannah Mercer," I said, looking up into her eyes with my whole soul. "You saved my children. You saved my heart. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, the mother of my daughters, and the love of my life forever?"
Before Hannah could answer, the double glass doors of the sunroom burst open.
Claire and Maya came running into the room, wearing matching yellow party dresses. Claire walked smoothly, without her cane, her movement confident and strong.
"Say yes, Hannah!" Claire shouted happily, holding onto her sister's hand. "We want you to be our Mommy forever!"
Hannah let out a choked, joyful laugh through her tears. She dropped to her knees in front of me, throwing her arms around my neck, pulling me into a deep, breathtaking kiss.
May you like
"Yes!" she sobbed happily against my lips. "Yes, Damon! A thousand times yes!"
Claire and Maya cheered, throwing themselves into our embrace, wrapping their tiny arms around both of us as the fairy lights glimmered around us like a sky full of private stars.
