Page 156 of Wild Tangled Hearts

I exchange glances with Damien's mom. Her eyes glisten with hope and unshed tears. Stacey's journey has been long and arduous, but finally, there's a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

I reach out and place a reassuring hand on Damien's arm. “That’s good.”

Damien nods. "I'm so proud of her. It's the longest she's been sober in years." Then he says quietly for only me to hear, “Maybe one day she'll be healthy enough to be the mom Lexi deserves."

Stacey's progress is a testament to the power of love, support, and the unwavering determination to heal and grow. It's a reminder that even in the face of the darkest storms, there can be a glimmer of hope, a chance for a better tomorrow.

Damien suddenly excuses himself, and I watch as he grabs his coat and heads outside. I worry about him when he doesn’t return for a while.

“I wonder if I should see if he’s okay,” I say, frowning at the front door. He’s been a little off today, more in his head, and I worry that something is bothering him.

“Maybe he’s going to bring you back a shooting star,” Lexi says, grinning up at me.

I chuckle. “Maybe.” But deep down, I feel like something is up.

But when I'm about to get up, Damien returns, his cheeks flushed. Blue eyes hold a mix of nervous energy and excitement.

I stand to meet him. "Is everything okay?"

He takes a deep breath and then lets it out unevenly. "I've never been better, Bella," he says, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket.

"Damien," I gasp, hands clapping over my mouth as I shake my head, not believing this is happening.

"Bella," he begins, his voice quivering ever so slightly. He kneels in front of me and tears well in my eyes. "You've brought light and laughter into my life, and I can't imagine a future without you. Will you marry--"

"Yes, Damien, yes!" I exclaim, not caring that I've interrupted his proposal.

He chuckles, and with trembling hands and a wide grin, Damien opens the small velvet box to reveal a stunning diamond ring. He slides it onto my finger, his touch gentle and full of love. The moment the ring slips into place, I feel an overwhelming rush of emotions, a promise of forever in the sparkling gem.

Then he stands and kisses me, sweet and gentle, full of the promises of years to come. And my heart is ready to explode.

Our families erupt in applause and cheers, and Lexi claps her hands, delighted by the commotion. And when she sees my rings, she exclaims loudly, “See, I told you he was getting you a shooting star.”

Laughter fills the air, along with warm hugs and heartfelt congratulations.

Later, we find ourselves sitting on the porch, the world bathed in the soft glow of twilight. My head rests against Damien's chest as we embrace each other.

"I can't believe we’re engaged," I murmur, feeling overwhelmed with love.

“You’re happy?”

“Happier than I’ve ever been,” I tell him honestly. “I love you, Damien.”

“And I love you, Bella.” With those words, we settle into a comfortable silence, gazing out at the lake, our future stretched before us like a vast, open road. Once a place of nightmares, the cottage has become the backdrop for our happily ever after.

In Damien's arms, I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we'll face them with laughter, love, and a burning passion that will never fade. Our love story, unconventional and wild, is a testament to the transformative power of love itself, and I can't wait to see where our adventures take us next.

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Chapter73

Damien

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