Chapter 21
Over the next three days. Dominic employed every romantic gesture imaginable||
On the first day, he took her to South Bay’s highest Terris wheel |
“They say couples who kiss at the very top will stay ingether forever,” he said, standing at the cabin entrance, eyes filled with cautious hog
Ariana Laughed moldy. Then perhaps we should kiss at the very bottom, ensuring we never
ver meet again in the next life-
The light in Domimir’s eyes died, but he forced a smile: That’s alright. I just wanted to show you the night view. “||
When the Ferris wheel reached its zenith, the entire city spackling below them. Dominic suddenly dropped to one knee, producing a diamond ring from his pocket
Arbis voice was rough with emotion, if we could start over…
There is no 1 she cut him off, turning to look out the window.
On the second day, he personally prepared an elaborate feast
— remember you like spicy food.” He picked up a piece of spicy chicken wings in hot sauce and placed it in her bowl. With a tender look in his eyes, he said, “Wanna give it a try?
Ariana glanced at it dimissively. “Mia does at spicy food, so I imagine you never made these dishes for her ]]
Dominic’s hand froze midair.]
She deliberately dumped all the food into the garbage bin right before his eyes
took her to the beach |
On the thard day, he took her to the
As night fell, des formed her smiling face in the night sky, while fireworks exploded into the words, I love you
Do you like it?” he asked softly.
Ariana looked at the brilliant display, suddenly smiling Dominic, but you pursue a this way too
He clenched his fit tightly, his throat constricting Not
only you, his voice dropped to barely audible. All of this, only for you
Ariana remained unmoved
Back in her room, Arana realized tomorrow would be the final day of their agreement. As she began packing her belongings, she accidentally opened the purse Dena Sinclair had given her
Inside was a far
was a faded manila envelope, its edges yellowed as if someone had handled it countless times.
The Besitantly opened it, and several sheets of paper slid out-
Lach one began with “Dear Art“|
“An
Today I saw you for the first time at the Lawrence family gathering. You wore a white dress, standing in the garden feeding a stray cat. Despite all the commotion Bround you, you seemed to exist in your own quiet world
I watched you from the second floor balcony for what felt like hours, until you noticed me and smiled
in that moment, 1 knew I was done for
-Christopher
The second letter)
Ar
mate is causing you
again. I had my ins
I my masekeeper deliver medicine to you from the Sinclair family,
o personally, but I can’t find a suitable excuse.
Today is your eighteenth birthday, and also the anniversary of
y of your mother’s panting ||
- flew to North Shore and waited outside the cemetery all day, watching you sit alone at the grave, crying!
Teh your favorite burberry cake by the entrance, hoping you might have at least a bote.
-Christopher“]
The final letter:
An
Your father has come to propose a marriage alliance between the Reeves and Sinclair families.]]
I know he wants his second daughter to marry to our family, and it’s clearly a trap, but I agreed anyway
Because this is my only chance to marry you.]
If you’re reading this letter, it means we’re already married[]
Please don’t fear this marriage. I’m not marrying you out of pity|
since I first saw you at sixteen. I’ve been waiting for this day!
-Christopher
The pages slipped from Ariana’s hands.
She recalled the way Christopher had looked at her when he first awoke–that restrained yet profound gare wain the politeness of a stranger, but love cultivated over years
