Page 222 of Sinful Lies

I nodded, tears starting to blur my vision. “I think Stella would have liked this.”

“I’m sure she would have,” he said gently.

The elevator door opened with a soft click, and a light breeze from the city brushed against my skin.

He stepped in front of the door, blocking the view.

“I hope she would have supported what I’m about to do,” he said, his voice tender as he moved aside.

My brows furrowed in confusion before my gaze shifted to the rooftop.

Oh. My. God.

The entire rooftop was transformed into a sea of red dahlias, their velvety petals spilling over every inch, hiding the pavement beneath. A delicate glass pathway glowed softly, leading to the center where the air shimmered with rainbow-colored lights.

In the distance, a wall of diamonds sparkled, catching the light like a thousand stars scattered across the night sky.

Angelo stepped closer, his hands gently removing his own mask before taking mine off with equal care. He placed both masks down, his touch lingering for a moment before he took my hand.

We walked together, my heels clicking against the glass.

I was utterly speechless, butterflies in my stomach, knowing what was coming.

We stopped in the center, and Angelo’s hand gently cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing over my skin in a soft caress.

“Are you ready for my speech?” he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.

I couldn’t help the giggle that slipped out, my hands trembling as I nodded.

His smile softened.

“For six years, Jade, I’ve loved you,” he said, his voice low, almost reverent. “I’ve spent every moment in your shadow, watching from afar. And in all that time, I’ve never met anyone like you. You’ve made me feel things I buried long ago—things Ididn’t want to face, but couldn’t escape. But there’s no running from it anymore. Not from you, not from what you do to me.”

He took a deep breath, his gaze never wavering from mine.

“Despite everything we’ve been through—the betrayals, the lies, the way we tore each other apart—it wasalwaysyou. Always. And even when I tried to force you away, when I made it seem like I didn’t want you, it was only because the thought of never being able to have you was a weight I couldn’t bear, suffocating me more than your absence ever could.”

His thumb moved across my cheek.

“I hope you’ll stay with me, because you are both my deepest torment and the most beautiful gift I could ever receive. And I need you, Jade. More than you’ll ever understand.”

Tears welled up as I tried to steady my breath, overwhelmed by everything he’d just said.

Angelo dropped to one knee, and for a second, I thought I might faint. He pulled out a red velvet box, so elegant it looked like it belonged in his museum, or a high-security vault.

The ring he held was a masterpiece.

The emerald-cut diamond at its center was striking. Flanked by two smaller, round diamonds that added just the right amount of brilliance. The gold band was simple, but elegant—quiet, like it knew its worth without saying a word.

That was the kind of jewel that could only be worth millions.

I couldn’t help but stare at it, my fingers trembling as I brought my hand up to my mouth.

Angelo reached for my hand.

“I’d choose you every time, in every lifetime,amore. But for now, let’s start with forever.” He paused as he held the ring before me. “Would you marry me?”

“You want forever with me?” I whispered, my voice barely a breath.

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