A New Beginning
The air smelled of rain.
Soft. Fresh. Cleansing.
Evelyn stood by the window of their new apartment, watching the city lights flicker like scattered stars.
It had been weeks since everything ended.
Since Elias was gone.
Since the war was over.
Since Theo chose love over revenge.
And yet—
Her heart still raced every time he touched her.
Every time he looked at her like she was his entire world.
Like right now.
She turned as Theo walked in, dressed in his usual dark suit, but with something different in his eyes tonight.
Something softer.
Something… certain.
He stopped a few steps away from her, hands in his pockets, gaze locked onto hers.
Evelyn tilted her head.
"You're staring."
Theo smirked.
"I like staring at what's mine."
Her heart skipped.
She rolled her eyes, pretending not to be affected.
"Possessive much?"
His expression turned serious.
"Always."
Silence stretched between them.
Then—
Theo exhaled and took a step closer.
"I have something for you."
Evelyn raised a brow.
"Oh?"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
Her breath hitched.
Theo smirked at her reaction, but there was a nervousness in his eyes too—like he was waiting for her to run.
Like he wasn't sure if she was ready for this.
Evelyn's chest tightened.
He was giving her a choice.
Just like she gave him one that night on the terrace.
No force. No pressure.
Just love.
Pure, undeniable love.
Theo slowly lowered himself onto one knee.
Evelyn's hands flew to her mouth.
Her vision blurred with tears.
Theo took her hand, his thumb brushing over her skin with the gentleness of a man who had lost too much—
And wasn't willing to lose her too.
"I never believed in fate," he murmured. "Never believed in second chances."
Evelyn's breath shuddered.
Theo's lips curled into a small, soft smile.
"And then you happened."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Theo's grip tightened.
"I've spent my entire life chasing things that didn't matter. But you… you matter."
Evelyn let out a shaky laugh, trying to blink away the tears.
"You're making me cry, Bennett."
Theo chuckled.
"Good. Because I'm not done yet."
She swallowed hard as he slowly opened the velvet box.
Inside—
A ring.
Simple. Elegant. Perfect.
Theo held it up, his gaze never leaving hers.
"I love you, Evelyn Carter."
Her heartbeat thundered.
"I love you more than I ever thought I could love anything in this world."
Her fingers curled around his.
Theo's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Marry me."
Evelyn let out a soft, choked sound—half-laugh, half-sob.
A part of her wanted to tease him. To make him sweat.
But the truth was—
She knew her answer the moment he got down on one knee.
Maybe even before that.
Maybe from the moment he said, "I love you."
She wiped her tears, a trembling smile on her lips.
"Yes."
Theo sucked in a breath.
Her voice grew stronger.
"Yes, Theo Bennett. I'll marry you."
The second the words left her lips—
Theo stood and crashed his forehead against hers, his hands framing her face like he needed to feel her, hold her, breathe her in.
Evelyn laughed, tears and joy mixing together.
Theo slipped the ring onto her finger, his own hands shaking slightly.
And when he looked at her—
It wasn't just love in his eyes.
It was home.
It was forever.
---
End of Chapter 69