Page 179 of A Second Dawn

My heartbeat imitates a rocket heading toward the moon… climbing, climbing, climbing.

She loves me, I know that, but if she’ll say yes to my proposal is entirely uncertain… especially after today’s events. But I need her to say yes…especiallyafter today’s events.

I know this comes out of the blue for her, her stunned face is proof of that, but for me it isn’t. I’ve waited for this moment all my life.

Is this the right setting? Hardly. But itisthe right moment.

“What?” Ella says, her voice choked.

Her surprise widens my smile. God, she’s adorable. I couldn’t love her more if I tried.

“Ella Rose O’Neil, will you marry me?” I repeat.

She blinks a few times, as if to make sure she heard me right. For the first time since I’ve lowered to my knees, she glances at my outstretched hand. My mother’s engagement ring lies nestled in my palm, and her good hand flies to her mouth, covering it.

Instead of the traditional diamond, a large sapphire sparkles in the middle of two intertwined platinum branches that are dotted with tiny diamonds. It matches the color of Ella’s eyes so perfectly, how could it be a coincidence? If ever I had any doubt this ring was meant for her, that alone would have erased it.

My throat closes over. Why isn’t she saying anything?

My stomach is in knots. It’s a foreign sensation. Control is my steadfast companion. In this scenario, I have none.

The unyielding grip I usually exert over situations suddenly feels feeble and inadequate. I’m standing on the edge of a precipice, my heart and mind entangled in uncertainty.

I’m vulnerable, at her mercy… the rest of my life is in her hands.

The room around us blurs as her gaze locks onto mine, making my heart stutter in my chest.

I watch as her lips part, her brows knit in contemplation, and I hold my breath.

“Why are you asking me this now?” she whispers.

Okay, not what I was hoping to come out of her mouth, but it’s not a no—I can work with that.

“Because this is the perfect time,” I reply just as softly, the racing cadence of my heart drowning out any other sound.

“The perfect time?” she questions. Her voice is quivering. “Tiero, I do love you, but I think you’re only asking me because of what happened today. You’re scared.”

Her gaze lingers on mine. I can tell she wants to say yes, but something is holding her back. When I walked into the bathroom, Ella was deep in thought and didn’t even hear me come in. Today’s events have spooked her. Is she questioning how right we are together?

“Yes, I won’t deny it. I’m scared,” I reply. It’s time to be completely honest and hold nothing back.

“I’ve never been scared of anything in my life. It was trained out of me as I grew up. But since I met you, I know what fear is. It’s terrifying. It makes me do stupid stuff.”

Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears, and she swallows hard, trying not to let them fall.

“I’m afraid to have to face a life without you. It makes me choke up just thinking about it,” I admit. “Ella, my life is not worth living unless it has you at its center, walking beside me, holding my hand.

“I’m shit scared to lose you. And what occurred earlier happened right under my nose.”

My stomach sinks just remembering today’s events.

She shakes her head. “Marrying me doesn’t lessen that risk. If anything, it makes the target on my back bigger.”

“No. As my wife, anyone with half a brain would think twice about messing with you.”

“People see me already as your wife. It didn’t stop them today, did it?” she interjects.

“You weren’t the target. Our baby was. Someone doesn’t want me to have an heir.”

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