Divine Obsession (GodHood #2)

Chapter 54

Present

Fifth Avenue stretched ahead of me, its golden glow shimmering against the deepening twilight; bouncing off the glass storefronts and pooling onto the busy sidewalks. The occasional laugh or burst of conversation through the honks of taxis and hum of passing cars. The chilly air with the warm aroma of roasted chestnuts and hotdogs from a street vendor.

I’d left Maria and Zach’s place hours ago, without notice – only a thank you note behind, after lying about going to rest in the guest room I was staying in.

No one knew where I was, or where I’d gone. I’d disappeared to clear my head; walked downtown the way I always loved to do.

I walked along the edge of Central Park, the falling autumn leaves offering a contrast to the Concrete Jungle. The city noise never bothered me, least of all tonight.

I needed air; time to untangle the mess of emotions I couldn’t seem to escape.

Distracted by my own thoughts, I took a right into Central Park, only to stop short.

Trevor was already there, leaning against the gate, a bouquet of pink peonies in his hand – my favorites. Waiting for me.

My heart tripped on itself.

He straightened as soon as he saw me, his sharp black suit uncharacteristically out of fashion with everyone else’s autumn coats and scarves.

“Happy birthday,” I spoke softly, approaching him.

He smiled, a small breath of amusement escaping him. “Thank you, Natalia.”

I raised an eyebrow, stopping in front of him. “September first. Did you think I forgot?”

“I mean…”

“I would’ve told you this afternoon but you didn’t leave a lot of room for talking.”

His smile was somber. “I know. I’m sorry. I had to talk to your father.”

I nodded. “How did you know I’d come here?”

“I didn’t,” He admitted, his voice low and rough. “But I hoped.” His dark eyes softened, and he held out the bouquet, his fingers brushing mine as I took them. “I know these don’t fix anything but–”

“Thank you. I love them.”

He blinked, his midnight eyes searching mine, obviously taken aback by my softness and lack of anger. When he reached for my hand, I didn’t stop him.

“I messed up, Natalia,” He began. “Not just this once, but so many times. I should have never helped Zach. I knew how much Maria meant to you and I still acted out of loyalty to him, without considering how it would hurt you. I betrayed your trust, and that’s not something I take lightly.”

I opened my mouth to interject, but he squeezed my hand, grabbing it in both of his rough palms and bringing it up to his chest.

“Please let me finish, baby,” He murmured. “I’ve kept things from you because I thought it would protect you. I told myself I was sparing you pain, but I was just a coward.”

I stared at him, my grip tightening on the stems of the flowers.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me right away,” He continued. “But I am asking for another chance to show you that I can be better. For you. Because there’s nothing – no one – more important to me than you, Natalia. I love you,” He rasped, pressing my palm to his chest even harder, and I felt the thundering organ beneath. “I can’t do this without you, baby.”

“What?” I breathed out.

“ Everything. None of it matters if you’re not with me.”

The sincerity in his voice unraveled something inside me, the tight knot of frustration and sadness loosening with every word. I sighed, shaking my head, though there wasn’t much anger left in me anymore.

“I understand why you did what you did,” I started, my voice softer than I intended. “Zach’s your brother in every way but blood, the same way Maria is my sister. I would’ve done the same for her.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t loyal to you. I should’ve told you the truth.”

“They both told me the entire situation was not black and white. It was complicated for everyone,” I said simply.

Relief flickered in his expression. “Does that mean you think you can forgive me?”

“I think I already have. I just didn’t want to admit it so quickly.”

A small, cautious smile tugged at his lips. “Really?”

I shook my head, a small smile of my own forming. “Don’t think you’re off the hook. If anything happens again–”

“It won’t,” He interrupted, his voice firm. “I swear.”

I raised a brow, skeptical but amused. “We’ll see.”

He stepped closer, his presence warm and grounding in the cool night air. “I haven’t kissed you properly in twenty-six hours, amai . It’s been torture.”

I rolled my eyes, the corner of my lips lifting in amusement. “Don’t push your luck–”

But before I could finish, his hands framed my face, his lips pressing against mine with a tenderness that left me breathless. Slow. Soft. Deep . I kissed him back, my free hand gripping his jacket as the flowers hung in my other.

When we pulled apart, his forehead rested against mine, his voice dark and smooth. “Thank you for not giving up on me, Natalia.”

My hand came up, cupping the side of his face in a silent acknowledgment.

Stepping back but keeping his hand in mine, he nodded towards the park. “Let’s walk.”

“Where to?”

Something flashed across his ebony eyes. “Outdoor movie night.”

“No way it’s still going. It’s too late.”

“I want to check either way.”

I squeezed his hand back as we stepped into the park, the city’s noise fading into the background as the path stretched out ahead of us.

And just like that, the tension melted away, replaced with the easy comfort that had always been there.

Gravel crunched softly underfoot as we walked through the dimly lit paths of Central Park. Trevor’s hand was warm and steady in mine, his thumb brushing against my skin in quiet, rhythmic strokes that made my heart ache in a way I couldn’t explain.

We reached the grassy area where the outdoor films were shown – our favorite spot. The crowd that had once filled the space was long gone. Only the large screen remained.

I sighed, gesturing toward the empty lawn. “See? Told you.”

Trevor didn’t answer right away, his grip tightening ever so slightly. I turned to look at him, but his expression gave nothing away – just that usual unreadable confidence that always left me guessing. He guided me closer to the lawn, where something faint glimmered under the park’s fairy-light strands.

As Trevor held me close, the soft strains of old Parisian music filled the air, drifting from hidden speakers nestled among the lanterns. The delicate melody wrapped around us like a whispered promise. It was the kind of music that spoke of romance in cobblestone streets and moonlit rivers. An experience he’d given me in Paris a couple of months back.

The warm glow of lanterns and golden string lights transformed the familiar spot into something out of a dream. And as we stepped around the corner of the lawn, I could finally see that the screen was actually still lit up. As we stepped closer, the words flickered into focus on the black screen in a white font straight out of 1940s Parisian cinema:

Will you marry me, Natalia?

My heart stopped beating.

The timeless elegance of the words against the golden backdrop hit me like a wave, and suddenly the park, the night, the city blurred around me.

Only one thing stayed. Him.

Trevor stood beside me, his dark eyes watching my every reaction, his expression unreadable. Slowly, as if waiting for me to fully absorb the moment, he stepped in front of me, still holding onto one of my hands.

Then, without hesitation, he dropped to one knee.

My breath caught as his face softened, all the sharp, calculated edges of him dissolving into something raw and open. In his hand, he held a ring–

Not just any ring. A massive, pink oval diamond glinted there. The stone sparkled under the Manhattan lights. Bold, beautiful, and absolutely perfect .

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

Trevor looked up at me, his voice soft and smooth. “Natalia Valentina Moretti, I’ve loved you for as long as I’ve known you. Even when I was too stubborn to admit it. Especially when I didn’t deserve you. You’ve been my reason for everything. I’ve built empires, but nothing has ever come close to having you look at me like this. I can’t– I don’t want to imagine my life without you. I’m nothing without you.” His eyes held mine, unwavering. I couldn’t look away. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Protecting you. Building a future with you. Making you happy. Loving you forever .” He held the ring closer, his hand steady, his voice deep and soft. “I look at you and I see the rest of my life. I love you, Natalia. Will you marry me?”

The silence stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was filled with the weight of everything we’d been through, everything he was offering. My chest tightened as tears blurred my vision, the answer forming on my lips before I even realized I was speaking.

“Yes,” I whispered, the word tumbling out like it had been waiting to escape. “ Yes ,” I repeated with a small laugh.

The tension in his shoulders melted, replaced by the most genuine, heart-stopping smile I’d ever seen on him. He slid the ring onto my finger with a care that made my heart ache, and when he stood, his arms pulling me into him, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared.

His lips found mine in a kiss that was soft, deep , and entirely us – equal parts passion and promise.

I laughed softly into the kiss when the far-away sound of clapping and cheering reached me. Though I suspected Trevor had secured the area and had his guys guarding the lawn from the shadows, there were still people crossing the park further down.

When we pulled apart, I leaned into him, my forehead resting against his, overwhelmed and happy. “I love you too.”

His strong arms tightened around me. The ring glittered on my finger. The words still glowed softly on the screen… He’d made it perfect .

“Trevor?” I whispered softly, waiting until he was looking down at me. I gave him a small smile. “I’m pregnant.”

Silence.

Was he breathing anymore?

Trevor’s hand came up to hold my face. “You’re sure?”

I nodded. “Just got back from the doctor.”

“And you want the baby?”

I nodded again. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom. And… I want to do this with you.”

“We’re going to be parents?”

My heart came together at the word ‘we’.

“We’re going to be parents.”

“I love you so much. And our baby. You’re going to be an amazing mom, you know that?”

“You think so?” I asked softly, placing my left hand on my tummy.

“Of course. You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted to do this with.” His eyes dropped to the ring he’d given me, and my hand over my growing stomach. “You are the best gift you could’ve given me.”

“Trevor…” Reaching up, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss him softly. “You’re going to be a great dad, too.”

Once we pulled apart, we started walking towards the exit of the park.

“You found out today?” He rasped, as we made it back onto Fifth Avenue, the sidewalk less busy than before.

“Yeah,” I breathed out softly.

“Double anniversary. I like that.”

A small breath of amusement escaped me. “I think I like that too.”

He stopped short, out of nowhere looking somewhat worried, making me raise a brow. “Should I call a car? You’ve already walked enough. You shouldn’t–”

“Trevor?”

“Yes, baby?” He answered, sounding like he was out of breath.

“Let’s walk. I’m fine. Plus, I want to get some sushi off of Fourteenth Street.”

“If you get tired, you’ll let me know.”

“Of course.”

He tilted his head, capturing my bottom lip between his and kissing me again with a sweet pull.

“How many weeks, baby?” He asked, one hand still holding mine, the other resting over my tummy again as we started walking.

“Six.”

He smiled, his thumb rubbing softly against my skin. “I’m thinking Amaya.”

“You don’t know that we’re having a girl.”

“Maybe we are.”

I smiled back, holding onto his bicep as we headed downtown. The night was slightly chilly but fresh, Manhattan illuminating the streets as we headed into our one-hour journey to SoHo.

“So, tell me. What’s it like being an old man now that you’re twenty-seven?”

Trevor chuckled, shaking his head, his hand protective on the small of my back.

As we walked through the city, just two people in love out of the eight million around us, about to bring another soul into the world, we couldn’t help but talk about the future.

Throwing an engagement party. Where we should have the wedding and when. Moving into our own place and decorating. Making the baby’s room. What hospital we should go with. Throwing a gender reveal party with our friends and family. What names we should pick. Buying cute stuffed toys and storybooks.

And before we knew it, we were right back at our home in SoHo.