Chapter 20 - The Final Table
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the winter sky in brilliant shades of amber, violet, and deep indigo. The historic countryside estate upstate was a masterpiece of warm stone, glowing windows, and surrounding pine trees dusted with fresh snow.
Inside the grand, vaulted-ceiling dining room, a long oak table had been set up by the window overlooking the snowy landscape. In the center of the table, a single white candle flickered softly, casting a warm, golden glow across the polished wood.
There were no bodyguards standing at the doors, no hidden cameras, no ticking timers, and no corporate ledgers. Just absolute peace.
Harper sat at the head of the table wearing a simple, elegant ivory dress, looking out over the quiet landscape. Footsteps echoed softly on the hardwood floor behind her.
Vincent walked into the room carrying a silver tray holding two crystal glasses of vintage champagne and a beautifully plated, medium-rare ribeye steak with garlic butter on the side.
He set the plate down gently in front of her, pulling out the chair directly across from her and sliding into it with a soft, content smile.
Harper looked down at the steak, then up into Vincent’s slate-gray eyes, a playful, nostalgic spark dancing in her expression. She picked up her fork, cut a small piece of the beef, and tasted it carefully.
She paused for a second, tilting her head.
"Well?" Vincent asked, raising an eyebrow with an amused grin. "Is the meat rubbery? Should I fire the chef?"
Harper burst into a bright, melodic laugh that filled the warm room with pure joy. She leaned across the table, placing her hand over his calloused fingers.
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"No, Mr. Rossi," Harper smiled softly, her eyes shining with deep, everlasting love. "For once... the steak is absolute perfection."
Vincent reached across the table, pulling her hand gently to his lips and pressing a tender, lingering kiss to her knuckles. Outside, the snow continued to fall quietly over the world, wrapping them in an eternal, unbreakable embrace as they finally sat together at their very last table—forever.
