Chapter Nineteen: Forever Begins
969 Words
Three weeks later…
The city had finally stopped talking about the k********g.
Nathan Sinclair and Victoria Sinclair had both been formally charged with conspiracy, k********g, extortion, and fraud. Lucas Blake, after investigators uncovered his role in the conspiracy, had been removed from the Blake family board and arrested for corporate espionage.
Blake Capital’s stock had recovered.
The federal investigation had been officially dismissed after authorities confirmed the evidence had been fabricated.
For the first time in months…
Life was peaceful.
Ava sat on the balcony of her apartment, sipping coffee as the morning sun painted Manhattan gold.
Her phone buzzed.
Ethan
Look outside.
She frowned.
Walking to the balcony railing, she looked down.
Parked below was Ethan’s black Rolls-Royce.
He leaned casually against it, one hand in his pocket.
When he spotted her…
He smiled.
Not the polite smile he wore for investors.
Her smile.
She laughed.
Moments later she hurried downstairs.
“You know,” she said as she reached him, “most people text before showing up.”
“I did.”
“One sentence.”
“It was efficient.”
She shook her head.
“You’ll never change.”
“I don’t intend to.”
He opened the passenger door.
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I hate surprises.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I thought that was my line.”
An hour later…
The car stopped outside a beautiful lakeside estate just outside the city.
White flowers lined a stone pathway.
A gentle breeze rippled across the water.
Ava looked around in confusion.
“What is this place?”
Ethan took her hand.
“Walk with me.”
They strolled quietly until they reached a small wooden gazebo overlooking the lake.
It was peaceful.
Private.
Perfect.
“This is beautiful.”
“It is.”
She turned toward him.
“So…”
“Why are we here?”
Instead of answering…
Ethan reached into his jacket.
Ava’s eyes widened.
“Ethan…”
He wasn’t holding a contract.
He wasn’t holding documents.
He was holding a small velvet box.
He opened it.
Inside rested a stunning oval-cut diamond ring.
Not the engagement ring they’d pretended with.
A real one.
“I’ve made many business decisions in my life,” Ethan said softly.
“Most of them logical.”
“Calculated.”
“Safe.”
He looked into her eyes.
“But loving you…”
He smiled.
“…was the best irrational decision I’ve ever made.”
Ava laughed through happy tears.
“You practiced that speech.”
“I did.”
“It shows.”
He sighed dramatically.
“I knew you were going to ruin the moment.”
She laughed harder.
Then he slowly lowered himself onto one knee.
For the second time…
He asked the question.
Only this time…
There was no contract.
No cameras.
No audience.
Just them.
“Ava Bennett…”
“Will you marry me?”
She looked at him for several long seconds.
Then grinned.
“Are you sure?”
He blinked.
“What?”
“I rejected you the first time.”
“You did.”
“I argued with you.”
“You still do.”
“I spill coffee.”
“Frequently.”
“I steal your fries.”
“You absolutely do.”
She smiled.
“And I’m stubborn.”
“I know.”
“You still want me?”
His answer came without hesitation.
“Always.”
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She nodded.
“Yes.”
“This time…”
“I’m saying yes.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
It fit perfectly.
She threw her arms around him.
They laughed.
They cried.
And then…
They kissed.
Longer.
Warmer.
With no fear left between them.
Six Months Later…
The Blake estate had never looked more beautiful.
White roses covered the gardens.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled beneath a clear summer sky.
Family and friends filled every seat.
Arthur Blake stood proudly in the front row, already dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief.
“I told you I’d cry,” he whispered to Noah.
“You’ve been crying for twenty minutes,” Noah whispered back.
“I know.”
“I regret nothing.”
The music began.
Everyone stood.
Ava appeared at the end of the aisle.
Radiant in a timeless ivory gown.
She wasn’t walking toward a contract.
She wasn’t walking toward a business arrangement.
She was walking toward the man who had once believed love was a weakness…
Until she taught him it was his greatest strength.
Ethan couldn’t look away.
Arthur quietly leaned toward him.
“Don’t you dare cry before she reaches you.”
Ethan smiled.
“No promises.”
When Ava reached him, the officiant smiled warmly.
“We’re gathered here today…”
The ceremony was simple.
Heartfelt.
Real.
When it came time for the vows, Ethan looked at Ava.
“You once spilled coffee on me.”
Soft laughter rippled through the guests.
“It was the best accident of my life.”
Ava smiled through tears.
“You once offered me a contract.”
She squeezed his hands.
“I’m grateful I ignored the fine print.”
The guests laughed.
“I didn’t fall in love with the billionaire.”
“I fell in love with the man who would give up everything to save the people he loves.”
“And I’ll choose you…”
“Every day.”
“Forever.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
“You may kiss your bride.”
As Ethan kissed Ava, cheers erupted around them.
Arthur clapped the loudest.
Noah finally allowed himself to smile.
And somewhere above the celebration…
The beginning of their fake engagement quietly became the story of a very real forever.
- Writer
