Chapter 51
It had been a few weeks since Celestina and Kael returned from their idyllic getaway in the Maldives. The memories of turquoise waters, golden sunsets, and quiet laughter lingered in her mind, but life had quickly resumed its relentless pace.
Celestina was back to a packed schedule of meetings, diplomatic functions, and managing the ever-mounting responsibilities of being the president’s daughter. Each day seemed to blur into the next, leaving her exhausted but determined.
That evening, as she stepped out of the car and walked into the palace, she immediately noticed something different. The air smelled sweet, almost overwhelmingly so, and the entryway was…
“Flowers?” she murmured, stopping in her tracks.
The grand foyer of the palace was filled with them. Bouquets of roses, lilies, orchids, and peonies adorned every surface, their colors vibrant and their scent intoxicating. The arrangement was stunning yet almost surreal.
“Welcome home,” Kael’s voice came from the top of the staircase.
Celestina turned, her brow arching in surprise as Kael descended the stairs. He wore a sharp black suit, his expression calm but with a hint of nervousness in his eyes.
“What is all this?” she asked, gesturing to the sea of blooms around her.
Kael stopped in front of her, his gaze steady. “This is me, trying to show you how much you mean to me.”
She gave him a faint smile, crossing her arms. “A bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Maybe. But I’ve realized there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy, Celestina.”
Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Celestina’s heart skipped a beat as he opened it, revealing an exquisite diamond ring that sparkled even in the soft evening light.
Her breath caught, and she took an involuntary step back. “Kael…”
He dropped to one knee, his gaze never leaving hers. “Celestina, I know I hurt you before. I know I failed you in ways that I’ll regret for the rest of my life. But I’ve changed. And I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I can be the man you deserve.”
Her chest tightened as she stared down at him, the sincerity in his voice cutting through her initial shock.
“Will you marry me?” he asked, his voice quiet but firm.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The memories of their first marriage came rushing back—the cold silences, the arguments, the pain of being ignored and unloved. But then there were the recent memories: Kael’s laughter, his kindness, the way he had protected her and tried to make amends.
“I don’t know,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael blinked, clearly taken aback. “You don’t know?”
She shook her head, taking a step back. “Kael, this is… a lot. I wasn’t expecting this. And I’m not sure I’m ready to make that kind of decision.”
He stood slowly, closing the ring box but keeping it in his hand. “I understand,” he said, his tone careful. “But can I ask why?”
Celestina exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “Because I’m still trying to figure out who I am. The last time we were married, I lost myself, Kael. I don’t want that to happen again.”
“You won’t lose yourself this time,” he said earnestly. “I won’t let that happen. I’ll support you, stand by you, whatever it takes.”
She looked at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “And what if we fail again? What if we’re just not meant to be together?”
Kael stepped closer, his voice soft but firm. “Then at least we’ll know we tried. But Celestina, I believe we can make this work. I believe in us.”
