Page 145 of Gamble with Me
Zyon spent days at the police station, but detectives had nothing on him or his brothers. Malin faced charges for speeding on the highway, and Dorian received a parking ticket. That was all the police came up with after three months of work. He and his people left no evidence that would lead investigators to them. They ensured no one would ever come to the bottom of this.
“Come inside,” Zyon suggested, looking at a jogging Zara on the other side. “She doesn’t need us and…” he smiled secretively, motioning toward the door, “I have a surprise for you.”
“What surprise?” I raised an eyebrow doubtfully because the last time I heard that word, he bought me a lingerie set that cost more than a car and destroyed it after two minutes of me wearing it.
“Come and find out.”
He grasped my hand and led me into the house, a playful smile dancing on his enticing lips. I followed him into the living room with a view of the garden, noticing the file on the coffee table. Zyon took it, chewing his bottom lip like an adorable little boy who got a new toy.
“As of today, Zara is officially my daughter,” he announced solemnly, handing me the papers confirming his words. My heart missed a beat when I scanned the documents, seeing the name Zara Christina Zhumagulov written right beside mine and Zyon’s.
For the past three months, I used my father’s surname again, and with Zara’s name changed, the last piece of Chester’s memory was gone. I couldn’t be happier about this surprise. It was the best news ever.
“Congratulations,” I whispered, overwhelmed by emotions. My strained voice was barely heard.
“Thank you, mon cœur.” Zyon erased the distance between us, pulling me flush against his chest. I giggled, resting my hands on his shoulders. A lump formed in my throat, but I quickly forgot about it when he was so close to me.
“I believe now is the right time to do something about your last name, too,” he said, gently pecking my brow. His fingers brushed a strand of hair behind my ear while he continued to kiss my cheek.
“What?” I breathed, my heart skipping a beat. Did he just suggest…
Zyon smiled shyly, which was very unusual for him. He stepped away, reaching into the inner pocket of his suit jacket. He pulled out a small, black velvet box that gave me goosebumps.
“My jeweler made it only for you,” he revealed, opening it. A massive diamond ring sat proudly in the middle, stealing all light and attention. “No other woman will ever wear the same.”
As if that mattered to me. The man I loved with my whole heart just showed me the most beautiful ring, looking like he was mentally preparing to ask methequestion. If he did that with a bent nail, I wouldn’t mind.
Raising my eyes from the ring, my teary gaze connected with Zyon’s passionate one. His shiny, dark irises stared right into my soul when he dropped to one knee. I inhaled a shaky breath, my hands flying up to cover my mouth. It was really happening.
“Valeria Lenders,” Zyon started, my heart almost collapsing from the excitement. “I love you, and I wish to spend eternity with you. Will you become my wife?”
I wanted to scream a loud, thrilled yes from the top of my lungs, but it seemed too easy. Why not tease him a little?
“Your third wife, you mean?” I asked, a broad smile stretching my lips so wide my cheeks hurt.
“My last wife,” Zyon replied, certainty and promise dripping from every syllable. “I will never love another woman like I love you, mon cœur. Don’t torture me, please. Say yes.”
"I'm not sure, my love." I pursed my lips, pretending to think. "There are so many things that need to be taken into consideration. It's not an easy decision."
Zyon looked at me as if I had lost my mind. I barely suppressed a laugh at his expression, but before I could add anything more, the sliding door opened, interrupting us.
“What’s going on?” Zara asked, her eyes widening when she saw Zyon kneeling before me with a ring in his hand.
“I’m trying to propose, but your mother keeps avoiding the question,” Zyon complained, giving me an irresistible pout. It wasn’t proper behavior for an adult man, but it always worked on me.
“I want to try the ring,” I replied nonchalantly, stretching my arm toward him. “I need to see if it fits.”
I wiggled my fingers impatiently, my heart nearly breaking through my ribcage when Zyon put a perfectly fitting white gold circle crowned with a giant diamond on my ring finger. I forgot to breathe when the light fell on it, coloring it like a rainbow.
“It’s beautiful, Mommy,” Zara whispered, staring at my hand in awe.
“Exquisite,” I breathed, my gaze colliding with Zyon's expectant face. The poor man still knelt on the carpet, awaiting an answer.
"Not as exquisite as you, mon coeur," he said, the glowing admiration in his dark eyes hypnotizing me. "Nothing in this world is a match for you, and I'll be the happiest, luckiest bastard under the sun if you decide to tie our lives together. Will you marry me?"
For a moment, the world around us stopped existing. Zyon completely enchanted me. He captured me in a web created from love and a promise of never-ending happiness.
Since I’d lived with him, I blossomed. He had endless patience with my light anger issues and instability, which were consequences of the trauma. He was supportive and understanding. He was always there when I needed him. He proved every single day how much I meant to him. And not only me, he loved Zara, too. Even if I tried, I couldn’t find one reason to give him a negative response.
