Chapter 23 - Proposal in Malibu
Six months later, Alexander purchased a sprawling, sunlit oceanfront villa overlooking the Pacific in Malibu.
The home was filled with light, laughter, and colorful framed artwork created by Maya during her art classes.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the blue horizon, Alexander walked with Elena along the private sandy beach.
He stopped near the tide line, taking a small velvet box from his jacket pocket and kneeling on the sand.
"Elena, you protected our daughter through four years of darkness and fear," Alexander said, his eyes full of love.
May you like
"Will you marry me and let me spend the rest of my life protecting both of you?"
Tears of pure happiness streamed down Elena's cheeks as she nodded, kissing him deeply under the golden twilight.
