Chapter 8 - The Resurrection of SiennaBy early spring, the green leaves returned to Central Park.
Sienna stood before the grand steps of Columbia Law School, holding an official leather-bound folder in her hands.
After months of legal petitions filed by Damian's top attorneys, her original identity had been fully restored by the state of New York. Her academic records were cleared, her credits reinstated, and the dean of the law school had personally invited her to complete her final semester to receive her Juris Doctor degree.
Damian stood beside his Maybach parked at the curb, watching her with a look of overwhelming pride.
Sienna walked down the stone steps toward him, a radiant smile on her face, her coat fluttering in the warm spring breeze.
"How does it feel, Counselor?" Damian asked, opening the car door for her with a dramatic bow.
"It feels... surreal," Sienna laughed, slipping into the backseat. "Two years ago, I thought my life ended when Caleb died. I thought I would spend the rest of my days hiding behind fake names and pouring drinks for men I despised."
Damian climbed in beside her, taking her hand in his. "And now?"
"And now I realize that everything that happened brought me to you," Sienna said softly, looking into his eyes. "You saved me, Damian. Not just from Holloway's thugs in that alley, but from becoming consumed by my own vengeance."
"You saved yourself, Sienna," Damian corrected gently, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles. "You had the courage to fight back when anyone else would have broken. I was just lucky enough to be smart enough to notice you."
He pulled a small velvet box from his jacket pocket.
Sienna’s breath hitched. She looked at the dark green velvet box, then up into Damian's face.
Damian looked at her, his whiskey eyes softer than she had ever seen them, filled with a deep, vulnerable love that needed no corporate armor.
"Sienna Cross," Damian said softly, opening the box to reveal a breathtaking, flawless emerald diamond ring surrounded by a band of silver. "You came into my life like a storm, burned down my cynicism, and taught me how to love again. I don't want a partner who obeys me. I want the woman who stood beside me in the dark and held the line."
He looked directly into her eyes, his voice trembling slightly.
"Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Tears of pure, unadulterated joy filled Sienna’s eyes. She didn't hesitate for a single second.
May you like
"Yes," she whispered, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, Damian! A thousand times yes!"
Damian let out a joyous breath, slipping the ring onto her finger before pulling her into a passionate, breathtaking kiss that sealed their futures together forever.
