Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Levi
The ring feels lighter this time, not because it means less but because it carries a different kind of weight. No strings, no deals, no expectations beyond love. It’s a promise, plain and simple—a future built on trust and everything we’ve fought to rebuild.
Tania is in the kitchen, her hair loosely pulled back as she absentmindedly stirs a cup of tea. She’s humming softly, and the sound makes my chest ache with something I can’t quite describe. Peace, maybe. Contentment.
I’ve been planning this moment for weeks, but as I watch her now, I realize I don’t need grand gestures or elaborate setups. I just need her. The rest will fall into place.
“Tania,” I say softly, stepping into the room.
She looks up, her expression softening when she sees me. “Hey. Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I reply, my voice steady but thick with emotion. “There’s just something I need to ask you.”
Her brow furrows slightly, and she sets the mug down, turning to face me. “What is it?”
I take a deep breath, pulling the ring box from my pocket. Her eyes widen, her lips parting in surprise, and for a moment, neither of us speaks.
“Tania,” I begin, my voice quiet but firm. “I know the last time I asked you this, I got it wrong. I rushed it. I let fear and desperation cloud what should’ve been the simplest question I’ll ever ask.”
Her hands fly to her mouth, her eyes already glistening with tears.
“But this time, there are no strings, no deals, no conditions,” I continue, stepping closer. “This isn’t about the merger or the past or anything else. It’s about you. About us.”
I drop to one knee, holding the ring up between us. The diamond catches the light, but all I see is her—the woman I’ve loved since the moment I met her, the woman who’s shown me what it means to be better.
“Tania Caldwell,” I say, my voice trembling. “Will you marry me?”
For a moment, the world stands still. Her hands drop from her mouth, and she looks at me with an intensity that makes my chest tighten.
“Yes,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “Yes, Levi.”
Relief and joy crash over me all at once, and I rise, slipping the ring onto her finger with hands that shake just slightly. She throws her arms around my neck, her laughter mixing with tears as I hold her close.
“You said yes,” I murmur into her hair, a smile spreading across my face.
“I did,” she replies, pulling back just enough to look at me. Her eyes are bright, her smile wide. “Because I love you, Levi. And I believe in us.”
Her words make my heart swell, and I capture her lips in a kiss that’s soft but full of promise. It’s not just a kiss—it’s a new beginning, one we’ve both fought hard to reach.
Later that evening, the penthouse is filled with the soft glow of candlelight and the gentle hum of music. Tania sits beside me on the couch, her hand resting in mine, the engagement ring catching the light every time she moves.
“I can’t believe you did this here,” she says, laughing softly. “I was expecting something extravagant.”
“You deserve extravagant,” I reply, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “But this felt... right. Just us.”
She smiles, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “It was perfect.”
We toast with glasses of champagne, the bubbles fizzing against my lips as I watch her, my heart full. For the first time in years, everything feels like it’s exactly where it’s meant to be.
As the night stretches on, we dance slowly in the living room, the city lights twinkling through the windows. Her head rests against my chest, and I hold her close, swaying to the soft rhythm of the music.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “For waiting. For believing in me.”
“Always,” I reply, pressing a kiss to her temple. “And thank you for giving me another chance.”