Page 229 of Before Dawn

She chuckled, squeezing my hand. “I know. It’s just funnier that way.”

I love this life. I love this woman. And I’d do anything to keep her in it.

Chapter Fifty-three

Abigail-Ann

“Where there is love, there is life.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

The week had drained me—early mornings for book signings and the looming start of my apprenticeship made it hard to shake the feeling that I’d miss the bookstore. Outside, snow blanketed the streets, the cold seeping in despite my layers. But the real weight pressing down on me wasn’t the weather—it was the quiet hum of anxiety beneath the surface.

Mikkel had been in Los Angeles for work the past few days, but he was back now. Earlier, I’d rushed from work to my gynecologist appointment, relieved by the good news. I ended the day with a check-in with Dr. Green, reflecting on how far I’d come.

The last thing I remembered was Mikkel typing beside me in bed. Now, I wokeup alone.

Where was he?

Sliding out of bed, I pulled on his hoodie and padded barefoot through the penthouse. My first stop was his study, but it was empty—neatly organized as always, but eerily still. I frowned, my curiosity piqued.

I made my way down the staircase, the quiet tapping of my steps the only sound in the vast space. As I reached the lower level, I noticed a door slightly ajar—one I’d never seen open before, and I gently pushed it open and stepped inside.

I gasped.What the hell?

The room was straight out of a dream. Itheavilyresembled the enchanted West Wing fromBeauty and the Beast.Tall glass cases lined the walls, each housing delicate flowers frozen in time. Golden light spilled from the chandeliers and the centerpiece of the room was a pedestal in the middle, like the one that held Beast’s rose.

I blinked, unsure if I was dreaming. My voice came out in a reverent whisper. “I never knew this was here.”

“That’s because it wasn’t,” came a deep voice from behind me.

I turned, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Mikkel standing in the doorway. He was holding a glass dome with a rose inside.

“Mikkel,” I breathed, taking a step toward him. “Mikkel Andrés Suarez.”

His lips curved into a soft smile as he stepped closer. “¿Sí, mi amor?183” he murmured, carefully placing the dome on the pedestal. “Beauty and the Beastis your favorite movie, and this room is inspired by the West Wing. I may not be theBeast, but you…” His light eyes softened as they met mine. “You’re definitelyBeauty. The most beautiful, actually.”

I blinked back the sting of happy tears.

“I can’t believe this is real.”

“I’ve been meaning to do this for you. Something that felt magical.” He reached for my hands, threading his fingers through mine. “You spend a lot of time here, and I hope one day it becomes permanent. But for now, this rose….this room…it’s yours.”

I glanced at the rose under the glass, captivated by its delicate petals.

He continued, “Each time you tap the glass, a petal will fall. But every petal has something I love about you written on it and a quote I thought might help for the days you need it.”

I stared at him, my heart thundering in my chest. “You made the rose?”

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “It took me a while, but it was worth it.”

He. Made. The. Fucking. Rose.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I closed the distance between us and kissed him gently. When I pulled away, I whispered, “You’re beyond amazing.”

“Tap it,” he urged, nodding toward the rose.

With trembling fingers, I reached out and lightly tapped the glass. One of the petals inside fluttered down slowly, landing softly at the base of the dome. I picked it up eagerly, grinning as I read it.

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