Chapter 19 - Paradise and Promises
The trip to Hawaii offered a complete escape from the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the dark secrets of the past. Under golden sunshine and the soothing rhythm of ocean waves, Mave finally let down her guard entirely.
They stayed in a private villa perched right on the white sands. Gone were the stiff pinstripe suits and high-stakes boardrooms; Leo wore an open linen shirt that showcased his broad shoulders and the old scars of a violent youth.
On the third sunset of their trip, when the sun dipped below the horizon to paint the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, Leo led Mave along the shoreline. His large, warm hand was locked securely around hers.
"You've never asked me about these scars, Mave," Leo abruptly spoke, pausing before the foaming tide. He raised his left arm, exposing a long blade mark from a turf war years ago.
Mave stopped, gently lifting her hand to brush his skin. Her eyes held no fear—only deep, abiding understanding. "Because they belong to your past, Leo. I love the man you are today—the man who stood in front of a gun to protect me, not the past that shaped you."
Leo turned, staring intensely into her bright green eyes. The heart of a man who had never feared an enemy suddenly skipped a beat with raw emotion. He dropped gracefully to one knee on the cool sand.
Mave gasped, her breath catching in her throat.
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From his shirt pocket, Leo produced a small black velvet box. When he flipped it open, an emerald-cut diamond sparkled brilliantly under the dying golden light.
"I used to think my life was just a series of transactions, violence, and isolation," Leo said softly, his deep voice carrying over the sound of the surf. "But the moment you walked into my study eight months ago, you swept away all the darkness. Mave, I can't imagine my future without you. Stay with me—not just as a partner, but as my wife. Forever."
