Page 88 of Merciless King
His grin is a mile wide as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. He opens it, revealing a stunning diamond ring.
“I’ve known since the first day I saw you in the hall at school that you were the one for me. I love you so fuc—ah.” He glances at Elysse. “So very much. Will you marry me?"
"Yes, yes, yes.”
He slips the ring onto my finger, and I marvel at the way it looks, like it was always meant to be there. Elysse squeals with delight, clapping her hands together.
"I have something for you too, sweetie," Elio says, reaching into his pocket once more. He pulls out another box, opening it to show a delicate gold necklace, a tiny lion pendant. "This is for you, my brave little lion, to remind you of how strong and courageous you are."
Elysse's eyes widen as he fastens the necklace around her neck, her fingers tracing the intricate details of the pendant. "Thank you, Daddy.” She throws her arms around his neck.
He sits back and wipes his brow. “Whew. That went well.”
I laugh. “Did you think it wouldn’t?”
“I wasn’t sure if it was too much, too soon.”
“Elio.” I arch a brow. “It’s been eight years. I think it’s about time.”
He lets out a lovely laugh. “You’re right.”
Later that night, we put Elysse to bed and return to our room.
“I finished at the house today,” I say, going to my dresser to retrieve the item I’d pulled from my jewelry box.
“Did you decide what you wanted to do?” He begins to undress from his suit and put on lounge pants.
“I’m going to sell it and everything left inside it. I’d like to put some of the proceeds into a trust for Elysse. Everything else, including his financial assets, I want to donate to domestic violence organizations.”
He looks at me with awe in his eyes.
“Why does it seem like you’re shocked?”
“I’m impressed,” he says, echoing the words I’d said to him before.
“I found something today. It’s the only thing I’m taking for me.”
“Oh?”
I sit down on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside me. Elio joins me, his brow furrowed with curiosity.
I hold up the item.
It takes a moment, but then his gaze jerks to mine. It’s filled with surprise, but more than that, so much emotion.
“I gave you that eight years ago.”
“You made me a promise with this ring. And finally, you get to fulfill it.”
"You kept it," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "All these years, you kept it."
"I couldn't bear to let it go," I confess. "Even when I thought you didn't want me, even when I thought you'd abandoned us. Perhaps deep down, I knew the truth but hid it away like I’d hidden so much of myself away."
Elio takes the ring from my hand, turning it over in his fingers. I can see the emotions playing across his face, the love, the regret, the hope for the future.
"I never stopped loving you," he says softly, his eyes meeting mine. "Not for a single moment. And I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt that again."
He slips the ring onto my finger, next to the engagement ring. We’ve come full circle, like a piece of my heart that's been missing has finally been returned.