My future mother-in-law ripped the insulin pump from my waist at my sister’s wedding, threw it into a bin of lobster shells, and laughed, "There. Now you’re cured of your need for attention."

One year later.

The morning sun spilled across the floor-to-ceiling windows of my new penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan.

Thorne Biometrics had officially launched the Vargas Free Access Initiative, providing over fifty thousand diabetic patients across the country with free continuous glucose monitors and advanced insulin delivery systems.

I stood in front of the mirror, wearing a simple, elegant cream-colored dress. On my hip sat my sleek, white insulin pump—customized with a small silver orchid pin etched onto its casing.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

Vance rested his chin on my shoulder, looking at our reflection in the glass. He had resigned from the FBI six months prior to take the position of Chief of Global Security for Thorne Biometrics—and to stay permanently by my side.

"You're thinking again," Vance murmured, kissing the side of my neck.

"I was just thinking about how different my life was two years ago," I said, leaning back into his solid chest. "I used to think my illness made me broken. I used to let people make me feel small because I needed medication to stay alive."

Vance turned me around in his arms, looking down at me with an intensity that still made my heart race.

"You were never broken, Elena," he said softly, his thumbs tracing my cheekbones. "You are the strongest, most resilient woman I have ever known. You took down an empire with the truth."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box.

My breath caught in my throat.

Vance dropped to one knee on the hardwood floor.

"Elena Vargas," he said, opening the box to reveal a stunning, ethical blue sapphire ring set in recycled platinum—simple, pure, and brilliant. "I don't offer you a famous surname. I don't offer you high-society galas. But I offer you my life, my protection, and my whole heart for as long as I live. Will you marry me?"

Tears of pure, unadulterated joy filled my eyes.