Chapter 180

• GUSTAVO
• Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains and lay across the silk sheets in soft golden patches. I woke slowly, the room quiet except for her steady breathing beside me. Valentina slept on her side, facing me, dark hair spilled over the pillow. Her left hand rested near her cheek, the new diamond catching the light in small flashes. I stayed still and watched her. Chest rising and falling slow. Lips parted just a little. Peaceful in a way I’d never seen her before. A rare contentment settled in me, heavy and warm. No fight. No walls. Just this. I’d spent years telling myself love made a man weak. That it left openings enemies could use. But lying here, looking at her, the truth felt different. Solid. I loved her. Fully. No regret. No second thoughts. She’d said yes last night. That single word had lined up everything. Our paths. Our future. I wasn’t letting go.
• I slipped out of bed careful not to wake her. Pulled on gray slacks and a white shirt. Left the top two buttons open. Barefoot on the cool floor. I walked downstairs to the kitchen. The house was silent. I started the coffee maker. Dark roast. Strong. The aroma filled the air while I leaned against the counter and let my mind drift back to the yacht. Music from the quartet. Roses everywhere. Her eyes wide when she saw the ring. The way her voice shook on that quiet yes. Fireworks cracking overhead. Her mouth on mine. The memory hit hard. Good hard. I poured the coffee into a mug. Took a sip. Hot. Bitter. Perfect.