Chapter 23 - A NEW BEGINNING
Damon felt a sudden, suffocating lump in his throat, his eyes welling up with a rare, uncontrollable emotion.
"I don't have a multi-million-dollar estate anymore, Clara. I don't have a trust fund or a fancy title," he warned quietly.
"Good," Clara smiled, a brilliant, genuine expression that mirrored the one she wore walking down the lawn months ago.
"I never wanted the title, Damon. I only ever wanted the man who was willing to jump off a cliff to protect me."
He reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek, feeling the soft warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips.
She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a brief, perfect second as all the remaining tension melted away.
"Will you start over with me, Clara? No grand estates, no society weddings, just... us?" he asked softly.
"It took us a catastrophe to find each other, Damon, but yes," she whispered, opening her eyes to meet his gaze.
May you like
"Let's do it right this time," she added, sliding her hand into his with absolute, unshakable confidence.
The past was finally buried, the lies were washed clean, and their future lay ahead of them like an open, sunlit road.
