Page 176 of Money Reigns
Owned.
This is all I ever wanted.
To give her the version of herself she was never allowed to be.
She hums thoughtfully, pointing to the second image. “That one.”
It’s the ring with a cushion-cut center stone, thick claw prongs, and a hidden halo beneath the setting. The band is gold. No pave, no distractions. Bold. Timeless. Hers.
I study it, nod once. “Fitting.”
Her gaze lingers on the design, then flicks back to me. A flicker of hesitation crosses her face.
“One thing,” she sayssoftly.
My chest tightens. “What?”
“When you propose… I don’t want a surprise. I hate surprises. I want to know it’s coming. I want to be ready for it.”
She means it. No teasing, no edge; just truth.
For a beat, I say nothing, already filing it away. She thinks she’s asking for a condition. What she’s really done is hand me the perfect solution. A way to give her everything she wants and still make it mine.
The best idea I’ve ever had starts forming, sharp and flawless, like the diamond she just chose.
“Done,” I murmur, brushing my thumb over her hip.
Her shoulders loosen, the tension easing out of her spine. She relaxes fully, trusting me.
Inside, I’m already smiling. She won’t see it until it’s too late.
I hook my hands around her waist and pull her off the desk, settling her onto my lap where she belongs. Her gasp cuts through me as her weight presses down, warm and perfect, anchoring me in a way nothing else ever has.
I kiss her like she just gave me something I never thought I’d have.
Because she did.
She gave me the future, right here, in a single choice. My future.
When I pull back, my forehead rests against hers, our breaths tangling.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
And for once, it doesn’t feel wrong to say it.
Not soft.
Not weak.
Just honest.
Because I’m grateful for her.
I always will be.
Step Five Complete
Chapter thirty-five
