Page 59 of Final Vendetta

From there, Gideon’s clues led me across the island, each stop like flipping through an old scrapbook filled with memories. From the beach where we’d once shared ice cream, fighting against the wind and each other for every last lick. To the kayak rental shop where he’d teased me about my terrible paddling form, his laughter echoing in the air even though he wasn’t with me.

As I followed the clues, I felt myself falling more and more in love with him, my anticipation building with each stop to the point that I almost didn’t want this game to end. But when Ifound a clue near our favorite seafood restaurant, I knew it was about to.

Where light meets the sky, a tower so bright,

The place where we saw our future take flight.

Climb up the tower, where promises grew,

And the horizon became our shared view.

There was no question in my mind the search was taking me to the Harbour Town Lighthouse, one of Hilton Head’s most famous spots.

And with the sun about to set, I knew exactly where I’d find him. At the very top.

But even after I climbed over a hundred steps, he wasn’t there. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he meant for his clue to lead me somewhere else. But where? Was there another tower I’d forgotten about?

Just as I was about to head back to the bottom, I spied a napkin on the floor.

If this were any other time, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. But considering it bore the logo of the beachside seafood shack from a few clues ago, I darted toward it. As expected, when I turned it over, there was yet another clue. The final one.

This treasure hunt ends where it all took flight,

In the room that welcomed us last night.

Come find me there, where the view meets the sea,

And together, we’ll write the nextchapter of our history.

After hurrying down all those stairs as fast as my legs could carry me, I hopped back in the car, my heart hammering every second of the drive back to the hotel. It felt like it took an eternity instead of the mere minutes that actually passed.

By the time I reached the suite, my palms were damp with nerves. I hesitated in the hallway for a second, trying to steady my breathing.

Then I held the key card up to the pad and opened the door, stopping dead in my tracks at the sight that greeted me.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Imogene

I hesitated in the doorway, taking it all in. The room I’d left mere hours ago was now unrecognizable, transformed into a romantic dreamscape straight out of a fairy tale. Soft candlelight flickered across every surface, the golden glow bouncing off the floor-to-ceiling windows and casting gentle shadows on the walls. The faint scent of roses and sea salt hung in the air, as if the very essence of the island had been bottled and poured into the room.

My footsteps echoed against the polished floor as I made my way inside. A trail of crimson rose petals wound its way through the suite like an invitation. The music of a gentle guitar drifted through the air — calm, soothing, yet achingly familiar. It was a melody I often heard Samuel play.

The balcony door was open, the sheer curtains swaying in the evening breeze. It carried with it the faint crash of the ocean waves and the crisp tang of salt, mingling with the soothing aroma from the candles. My chest tightened as I followed the petals, drawn as much to the setting as I was to the overwhelming anticipation curling low in my stomach.

As I stepped outside, a smile spread across my lips at the sight that greeted me.

Gideon stood by the railing, silhouetted against the horizon where the last streaks of dusk melted into the inky sky. He wore a sharp navy suit that fit him perfectly, though he’d skipped the tie. The open collar added a touch of ease to his otherwise commanding presence. The perfect combination of Gideon and Samuel. But it was the look in his eyes that rooted me to the spot — so much love and devotion, it left me completely breathless.

“Are you my reward?” I managed to ask, despite my racing heart.

“I hope so,” he replied as he stepped toward me. His voice was low and intimate, full of raw emotion that sent shivers down my spine.

But before I could utter a single syllable in response, he reached into his pocket and gracefully dropped to one knee.

The world around us instantly vanished, leaving only the two of us and the sound of our hearts beating as one.

“Imogene…” His voice was thick with emotion as he took my hand in his. “I never thought I’d get to do this. For four years, I took it day by day. Hour by hour. Minute by minute. Every day, I woke up fully prepared for it to be my last.”

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