Chapter 6 - The Ring He Never Intended to GiveJulius didn't propose immediately.
He waited.
He wanted Dileia to choose him freely.
She worked at the new shop.
Emma recovered.
Samuel returned to the city.
The family changed.
Dileia began to discover that she could love without fear.
One morning, Julius arrived with breakfast.
She laughed.
“You're terrible at cooking.”
“I ordered it.”
“That explains it.”
They ate behind the shop.
He looked at her.
“Marry me.”
She stopped.
“No.”
He blinked.
“No?”
“You're asking because you think I saved you.”
“No.”
“Because you feel responsible for me?”
“No.”
“Because your family needs an heir?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
He took her hand.
“Because I can't imagine my life without you.”
Her eyes filled.
“That sounds dangerously romantic.”
“I've been told I'm dangerous.”
She laughed.
Then kissed him.
“Yes.”
The engagement was supposed to remain private.
But Sabrina leaked the news.
Reporters appeared.
The headline read:
MAFIA KINGPIN TO MARRY FORMER HOUSEKEEPER.
The city went wild.
Dileia hated the attention.
Julius stood beside her.
“You don't have to explain yourself.”
“I know.”
They planned a quiet wedding.
But Roco's remaining allies attacked the ceremony venue.
Security intervened.
Nobody was injured.
The wedding was postponed.
Dileia broke down.
“I don't want this.”
Julius sat beside her.
“Neither did I once.”
“What changed?”
“You.”
She looked at him.
“I made you weak.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“You gave me something worth protecting.”
She leaned into him.
“I love you.”
He closed his eyes.
“I know.”
Then he whispered:
“I love you too.”
They decided to marry at the small garden where Julius had once watched her care for Mr. Merrick.
There were only thirty guests.
Emma was the maid of honor.
Samuel walked Dileia down the aisle.
Julius waited.
When he saw her, his expression broke.
She reached him.
He whispered:
“You look beautiful.”
She smiled.
“I look like myself.”
“Exactly.”
They exchanged vows.
Julius promised:
“I will never make you feel invisible.”
Dileia promised:
“I will never let fear make my decisions for me.”
They kissed.
Everyone applauded.
After the ceremony, Julius took her hand.
He gave her the necklace he had originally bought for Sabrina.
He had removed Sabrina's initials.
He had added Dileia's.
She stared at it.
“You kept this?”
“I couldn't give it to her.”
“Why?”
“Because it was never really hers.”
He placed it around her neck.
“It was waiting for you.”
She cried.
Later that night, they danced.
No photographers.
No politicians.
No threats.
Just family.
For the first time, Julius understood what peace felt like.
He didn't know it would last.
Three months later, a letter arrived.
From his grandfather.
May you like
The man was alive.
And he wanted to meet.
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