Page 187 of Legacy
“Thank you,” I whisper, “for showing me this. For letting me in.”
He pulls back slightly, brushing his lips softly against my temple, lingering there as he exhales.
“Thank you,” he murmurs, “for letting me bring you.”
He takes a step back and kisses the back of my hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Let’s go home,” he says softly. “Dinner’s waiting.”
Chapter 33
Angelo
She’s gorgeous.
She’s always been gorgeous, but right now, wine-flushed at the small dining table, lips curved from the last laugh she gave me—she’s something else entirely.
In that dress, pale blue and effortless over her body, she looks kissed by something holier than light.
I hope I can keep that smile.
I don’t even realize I’ve stopped eating. I’m just watching her.
Her soft brown eyes flick to mine. “You’re not eating,” she says, motioning to my plate with her fork.
I set my utensils down, pulse steady, my voice low. Controlled.
“There’s something I want to give you,” I say. “But I don’t want it to ruin the meal.”
Her fork stills. She sets it down slowly, wiping her mouth with measured precision, her shoulders straightening, her eyes sharpening.
She’s bracing.
Armoring herself.
I let out a quiet breath, but my gaze doesn’t waver.
“I’m not trying to take anything from you,” I say, voice calm. Firm. “This isn’t a demand. It’s a choice.Yours.”
I reach into my coat, pulling out a small box wrapped in black velvet, simple but heavy with meaning.
I place it in front of her. My hand lingers on the lid, my eyes locked on hers.
No fear. No stuttering apologies. No desperation.
Just a promise.
“I meant what I said, Adriana,” I murmur. “Everything I have is yours. But this… I want you to have this first.”
She doesn’t touch it.
Just looks at it. Then at me.
Her expression is unreadable.
I hold her gaze, my voice calm, low. “I want you to design it with me. The setting. The band. I didn’t know if you preferred rose gold or yellow. If you wanted diamonds around it, or something simple.”
I pause, steadying the air between us.
