Chapter 16 - BOUND BY DREAMSThat evening, a crackling fire warmed the cozy living room of the mountain cottage. Maya was asleep in the loft bedroom, worn out from her day of outdoor adventures.
Ethan and Victoria sat on a plush rug in front of the fireplace, sipping red wine. Victoria was wearing one of Ethan’s oversized flannel shirts again—a quiet nod to the night their journey had truly begun.
"What are you thinking about?" Victoria asked, resting her head against his shoulder.
Ethan stared into the flames, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I'm thinking about how strange life is. If I had walked five minutes earlier or five minutes later that day on the river walk... I would have missed you."
"It wasn't a coincidence, Ethan," Victoria said, turning her head to look at him. "It was fate. You were meant to save me, and I was meant to find my family with you."
Ethan set his glass down and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small velvet box he had carried with him for weeks.
Victoria’s breath caught in her throat.
"Victoria," Ethan said, turning to face her fully. "I don't have billions of dollars. I don't have a grand corporate empire to offer you. But I give you my whole heart, my protection, and a promise that no matter how rough the river gets, I will never let go of your hand."
He opened the box, revealing a simple, elegantly crafted diamond ring. "Will you marry me?"
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Victoria wept tears of pure joy, nodding frantically. "Yes! Yes, Ethan! A thousand times yes!"
He slipped the ring onto her finger, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her deeply as the fire crackled warmly beside them.
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