Chapter 17 - The Offer on the Terrace|
The mid-day sun broke through the autumn clouds, bathing the estate’s stone terrace in warm, golden light.
Isabella stood near the balustrade, looking out over the twelve acres of rolling gardens and pine forests leading down to the Hudson River. The crisp air felt clean and cold against her face.
Footsteps sounded on the stone terrace behind her.
Dante walked up, stopping a foot away, holding two warm mugs of coffee.
He offered one to her silently.
Isabella accepted the mug, taking a slow sip, keeping her eyes fixed on the distant river.
"Carlo’s accounts have been seized," Dante said quietly, leaning against the balustrade beside her. "The real sapphire was located in a vault in Zurich. Marco is flying out tonight to retrieve it."
"Good," Isabella said softly.
Silence stretched between them—no longer filled with anger, but heavy with the weight of everything that had broken between them over the last twenty-four hours.
"Sal wants to host a formal dinner next month," Dante murmured, looking at her profile. "To officially announce our wedding date to the Commission."
Isabella turned her head slowly, looking at him with her clear, intelligent brown eyes.
"And what do you want, Dante?" she asked quietly.
Dante set his coffee mug on the stone balustrade. He reached into his vest pocket, pulling out the three-carat diamond engagement ring once more.
He didn't try to slip it onto her finger. He held it out on his open palm, letting her choose.
"I want the woman who stood beneath that chandelier last night," Dante whispered, his voice trembling with an emotion he had buried for years. "The woman who was brave enough to throw this ring in my face when I failed her. The woman who brought down my corrupt cousin with nothing but her intellect."
He took a slow step closer, his gray eyes searching hers with desperate warmth.
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"I don't want a submissive mafia wife, Isabella," Dante promised softly. "I want an equal partner. Someone who will call me out when I'm blind, and someone who will stand beside me when the world goes dark."
Isabella looked down at the glowing diamond resting in his hand.
