Chapter 7 - Unspoken Promises
Two months later, the first signs of summer arrived in Chicago.
The gardens surrounding the Rossi mansion were bursting with red roses, white hydrangeas, and lush green lawns.
Beatrice stood near the French doors of the grand dining room, wearing a stunning lavender silk wrap dress that fell gracefully around her curves. Her dark hair was styled in soft waves, and her skin radiated a healthy, beautiful glow.
She was no longer the woman who shrank into doorways.
She walked with her head held high, her posture proud and graceful.
Behind her, Mateo walked into the room carrying a stack of invitation cards.
“The guest list for the Charity Gala is finalized,” Mateo said, setting the cards on the mahogany table. “Over four hundred people from Chicago high society have confirmed. They’re all dying to meet the woman who brought Leo Rossi back to life.”
Beatrice smiled warmly. “Are they dying to meet me, Mateo? Or are they just curious to see the fat maid who replaced a Senator’s daughter?”
Mateo chuckled, shaking his head. “Beatrice, if anyone in that room looks down on you, Leo will buy their company and fire them by midnight. You know that, right?”
“I know,” she laughed softly. “That’s what worries me.”
The terrace doors opened, and Lily came running inside, wearing a pink sunhat, holding a huge bunch of yellow daisies.
“Bee! Look what I found in the garden!” Lily squealed, throwing her arms around Beatrice’s waist.
Beatrice bent down, lifting the six-year-old into her arms with ease, kissing her cheek. “They’re beautiful, sweet girl! We should put them in a vase right on the dinner table.”
Leo entered from his office, stopping in the doorway to take in the sight.
He looked at his daughter, vibrant, happy, and talking nonstop. He looked at Beatrice, blooming like a rose in the summer sun, holding his world in her arms.
He walked over, wrapping his arms around both of them from behind, resting his chin on Beatrice’s uninjured shoulder.
“What are we talking about?” Leo asked, his voice low and warm in her ear.
“We’re talking about how lucky we are,” Beatrice whispered back, leaning her head against his cheek.
Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, navy-blue velvet box.
Lily gasped, clapping her hands over her mouth. “Daddy! Is that the ring?!”
Beatrice froze, her heart leaping into her throat.
Leo stepped in front of her, taking the box in his hand. He opened it to reveal a magnificent, radiant-cut canary yellow diamond, surrounding a band of woven rose gold.
“Beatrice Miller,” Leo said, his voice trembling with a deep, powerful emotion. “You saved my daughter. You saved my soul. You turned a fortress of fear into a home filled with love. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Beatrice looked at the ring, then up into the dark, fierce, devoted eyes of the man who had given her everything.
Tears of pure, unadulterated happiness spilled over her lashes.
May you like
“Yes,” Beatrice whispered, her voice overflowing with love. “Yes, Leo! A thousand times yes!”
Lily cheered, throwing her sunhat into the air as Leo slid the yellow diamond onto Beatrice’s finger, pulling her into a passionate, breathtaking kiss that sealed their future forever.
