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Instead, I stop.

Again.

Artemis looks up at me, suspicious.

“What now?”

I reach up and tuck a loose strand of white hair behind her ear.

Such a small gesture.

So ordinary.

Yet her expression softens like I’ve handed her the moon.

I brush my thumb across her cheek.

“I want everyone to know something.”

Her eyes search mine.

“Know what?”

“That I’ve spent most of my life telling the world to fuck off.”

Her lips twitch.

“Shocking.”

I laugh, then grow serious.

“But I’ve never been more proud to stand beside anyone than I am right now.”

Her smile fades into something softer.

Something vulnerable.

Something sweet.

“Stephen…”

“And I’m done letting other people’s opinions decide how much happiness I’m allowed to have.”

I kiss her forehead.

“So let them talk, baby.”

Then I take a breath and drop to one knee.

The entire world around us goes silent or maybe it’s just me.

Because all I can hear is the frantic beating of my heart as I reach into my pocket and pull out the little velvet box I’ve carried with me since I left her parents’ home in New York.

The ring.

My promise.

My forever.