Chapter 6 - THE GHOSTS OF THE PAST RETURN TO ROOST
The rain beat a relentless, rhythmic tattoo against the reinforced glass windows of the grand library in the Cole estate, washing away the chaos of the previous days and leaving behind an atmosphere of profound, heavy sanctuary.
Grace sat comfortably in a deep, velvet wingback chair near the roaring stone fireplace, her left arm resting securely inside a sleek, custom-fitted medical sling.
A soft woolen blanket was draped over her lap, and a cup of freshly brewed chamomile tea steamed gently on the small oak side table beside her.
Across the room, little Lily was sitting cross-legged on the thick Persian rug, completely engrossed in building an elaborate castle out of smooth wooden blocks with the help of a very patient, smiling nanny that Nathan had hastily hired from the agency’s elite background-checked roster.
Nathan walked into the library carrying a thick, leather-bound portfolio under his arm, his tailored shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows as he took in the quiet, domestic harmony of the scene.
A slow, genuine smile spread across his face—a smile that hadn't truly belonged to him in years, buried as it was beneath the crushing weight of corporate boardrooms and superficial high-society obligations.
He walked over to Grace’s chair, gently leaned down, and pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head before taking a seat in the matching armchair opposite her.
“How’s the shoulder holding up, Grace?” Nathan asked softly, his eyes filled with lingering tenderness.
“Much better,” Grace replied, offering a small, reassuring smile as she took a sip of her tea.
“The pain medication helps, and the doctor said the fracture is clean enough that it should heal without surgery if I keep it immobilized.”
“Good,” Nathan nodded firmly.
“Because starting tomorrow, you are strictly forbidden from lifting anything heavier than a storybook.”
Grace let out a soft, amused laugh, shaking her head.
“You’re going to turn me into a complete invalid, Nathan. I’m used to working hard; I’ve spent my entire life taking care of things on my own.”
“Well, you don’t have to do it alone anymore,” Nathan said, his voice dropping into a deeper, more serious register as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“In fact, that’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”
He opened the leather-bound portfolio on his lap, pulling out several legal documents crisp with fresh ink and official notary stamps.
Grace’s eyes flickered down to the papers with a hint of cautious curiosity.
“What are these?” she asked.
“Insurance policies? Property titles?”
“They are the structural framework of our future,” Nathan said steadily.
“First, I’ve had my corporate legal team file a formal petition to establish full, indisputable paternity recognition for Lily, alongside an emergency restraining order against both Victoria Sterling and her disgraced father.”
“Second,” Nathan continued, sliding a parchment paper across the table, “I’ve drawn up an unconditional residential deed transferring ownership of the West Wing of this estate—and a substantial independent trust fund—into your name, entirely free and clear of any marital contingencies or legal loopholes.”
Grace pulled her hand out from under the blanket, staring at the paperwork with wide, stunned eyes, her chest heaving as emotion threatened to overwhelm her voice.
“Nathan… I can’t accept this,” Grace whispered, shaking her head vigorously.
“A trust fund? A wing of your estate? I came here looking for a housekeeping job, not a handout. I told you, I don't want your money.”
“This isn't a handout, Grace,” Nathan interrupted gently, reaching across the table to cover her hand with his warm, steady fingers.
“This is security. This is justice for the four years you spent struggling in the shadows while I was completely oblivious to the world.”
“And most importantly, this is a formal proposal.”
Grace froze.
Her breath hitched in her throat, and the teacup in her right hand rattled softly against the saucer as she looked up into Nathan’s warm, grey eyes—eyes that mirrored the exact shade of the little girl playing happily with wooden blocks across the room.
“A proposal?” Grace breathed out, her voice barely audible.
“Grace,” Nathan said, his voice ringing with absolute, unshakable conviction.
“Four years ago, we spent one magical night together before life tore us apart. When I found you again, it wasn't through an accident of fate—it was the universe correcting a catastrophic mistake.”
“I love you. I loved you the moment I met you on that terrace in Seattle, and I’ve loved you every single day since, even when I didn't know your name.”
“Will you marry me? Will you let me spend the rest of my life making up for every single moment we missed?”
Before Grace could formulate a spoken answer, a small, excited voice interrupted from across the room.
“Mommy, say yes!” Lily squealed, abandoning her wooden block tower and running over to bury her face in the folds of Grace’s blanket, looking up with wide, hopeful grey eyes.
“Daddy is nice! He has ice cream and a big castle!”
Grace let out a broken, tearful laugh, looking back and forth between the man who had captured her heart four years ago and the little girl who was their living, breathing miracle.
She reached out with her uninjured hand, cupping Nathan’s cheek with trembling fingers.
May you like
“Yes,” Grace whispered softly.
“A million times, yes.”
