Chapter 14 - Closing the Chapter
Six months later, the scandal had mostly faded from the public eye.
The trial was swift.
Roxanne Miller plead guilty to avoid a drawn-out media circus, accepting a long prison sentence.
Ethan stood by the tall windows in his office, looking out at the sunny lawn.
Below, Sarah was chasing a wobbly, giggling one-year-old Leo across the grass.
Ethan's heart swelled with gratitude.
He picked up a small velvet box from his desk—not a necklace this time, but a ring.
He walked down the grand staircase and out the French doors.
"Having fun?" Ethan called out.
Sarah scooped Leo up, both of them laughing and breathless.
"He's fast!" Sarah panted, her cheeks flushed with joy.
Ethan walked over and took Leo from her arms, resting the boy on his hip.
"Sarah, these last six months have been the best of my life," Ethan said, his voice thick with emotion.
Sarah smiled, sensing the shift in his tone.
"You brought life back into this house," Ethan continued. "You brought me back to life."
He smoothly got down on one knee right there on the grass.
Sarah gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
"Will you marry me, Sarah?" Ethan asked, opening the box to reveal a stunning, simple diamond ring.
"Not for the cameras, not for society. Just for us."
Tears streamed down Sarah's face.
May you like
She nodded vigorously. "Yes! Yes, Ethan, I will."
He slid the ring onto her finger and stood up, wrapping his arms around his new family.
