---- Chapter 21 Amelia stood on the rooftop terrace of their New York apartment, the city lights twinkling below like a carpet of fallen stars. The cool night air kissed her face. A sense of profound peace settled over her. Mark came up behind her, draping a soft cashmere shawl around her shoulders. His presence was a comforting warmth, a steady anchor in her life. "Happy?" he whispered, his arms encircling her waist Amelia leaned back against him, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "More than | ever thought possible." Mark turned her gently to face him. He knelt, there on the rooftop, under the vast, starlit sky. He held her hand, his eyes filled with a love so deep, so pure, it took her breath away. "Amelia Hayes," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "My brilliant, resilient, beautiful Amelia. You have taught me what true love is, what true partnership means." ---- He brought her hand to his lips. "| want to spend the rest of my life making you happy, supporting your dreams, celebrating your triumphs. | want to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep in your arms every night. Amelia, my love, my life, will you marry me?" He opened a small velvet box. Inside, a simple, elegant diamond ring sparkled, its fire reflecting the city lights, reflecting the love in his eyes. Tears streamed down Amelia's face, tears of joy, of gratitude, of a happiness so profound it felt almost sacred. "Yes," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Oh, yes, Mark. A thousand times, yes." He slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. She realized, in that moment, that true happiness wasn't about grand gestures or passionate declarations. It was about this: this quiet, steady love, this unwavering support, this deep, abiding connection with another soul. It was about finding someone who saw you, truly saw you, and loved you not in spite of your scars, but because of them. Their wedding was a small, intimate affair, held in a sun- drenched garden in the Hamptons. Close friends, family, the people who had supported them on their journey. ---- Amelia wore a simple, elegant dress of her own design, the fabric flowing around her like liquid moonlight. Mark, handsome and beaming, couldn't take his eyes off her. They exchanged vows they had written themselves, promises of love, respect, and unwavering partnership. A single, perfect autumn leaf drifted down and landed on their marriage certificate as they signed it, a benediction from nature itself. It was a day of quiet joy, of profound gratitude, of new beginnings. Later, as they danced under the stars, Amelia rested her head on Mark' s shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything. For believing in me. For loving me." Mark held her close, his heart overflowing. "Loving you is the easiest, most natural thing in the world, Amelia." He kissed her, a long, slow kiss filled with all the love, all the hope, all the dreams of their shared future. She playfully tugged his ear. "You know, for an architect, you "re a pretty good dancer." He laughed, spinning her around. "And for a world-famous designer, you' re not so bad yourself." ---- Amelia designed matching cashmere sweaters for them, the Aethel butterfly subtly embroidered on the sleeve. "So everyone knows you're mine," she teased, her eyes sparkling. Mark pulled her into his arms, his expression tender. "| was always yours, Amelia. From the moment | saw that butterfly scarf." He lifted her off her feet, spinning her around in a dizzying circle of laughter and joy. Their love was a tapestry woven from shared dreams, mutual respect, and a deep, abiding affection that had weathered storms and emerged, stronger and more beautiful. Amelia Hayes, once a broken, forgotten wife, now stood as a testament to resilience, to the power of self-love, to the healing grace of a true and gentle heart. Her past was a shadow, her present a vibrant canvas, her future a masterpiece waiting to be created, hand in hand with the man who loved her, cherished her, and celebrated her, every single day. The happiness she felt, deep and resonant, outweighed all the pain, all the suffering, of her former life. She was home. She was loved. She was free.