The city lights glittered beneath them as Damian guided Amara into the rooftop restaurant he had reserved for the evening. It was elegant yet intimate-candlelit tables, soft violin music drifting in the background, and the night sky stretching endlessly above them. Amara's lips parted in awe.
"Damian... this is beautiful," she whispered, her eyes reflecting the glow of the candles.
His gaze never left her face. "Not as beautiful as you."
Her cheeks warmed as he pulled out her chair, his gentlemanly gestures making her heart swell. They shared dinner, laughter weaving through their conversation. Damian was uncharacteristically nervous at times, fidgeting with his glass, his usually steady hands betraying a hint of tension. Amara noticed, but she said nothing, letting him carry the evening.
When dessert arrived, Damian rose from his seat. Amara tilted her head, confused, until he walked to her side and slowly lowered himself onto one knee.
Her breath caught. "Damian..."
He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her entire body tremble.
"Amara Rivera," he began, his deep voice softer than she'd ever heard. "From the moment you walked into my life, you've turned my world upside down. You've challenged me, calmed me, and made me believe in something I never thought I deserved-love. Tonight, I don't just want to tell you how much you mean to me. I want to make you mine forever."
He opened the box, revealing a diamond ring that sparkled beneath the night sky. "Will you marry me?"
Tears blurred Amara's vision. Her hand flew to her mouth as emotions flooded her chest. She had dreamed of this moment but never expected it to come so soon-or to feel so perfect.
"Yes," she breathed out, her voice trembling with joy. "Yes, Damian. I'll marry you."
Relief and happiness spread across his face as he slid the ring onto her finger. The moment her hand rested in his, Damian rose, pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply. The restaurant erupted in soft applause from the few guests and staff who had quietly witnessed the proposal.
"I love you," he whispered against her lips.
"I love you too," she replied, her tears now falling freely.
The night felt magical, like nothing could taint their happiness. But fate had other plans.
On their way back home, Damian insisted on driving. Amara leaned against him, her fingers still brushing the new ring on her hand as she smiled dreamily. The city's traffic had thinned, and the road stretched quiet and dark before them.
Then it happened-too fast, too sudden.
Headlights swerved violently from the opposite lane, a car speeding straight toward them. Damian's instincts kicked in. "Hold on!" he shouted, gripping the wheel tightly.
Amara gasped, her heart leaping into her throat as Damian swerved sharply. Tires screeched against the asphalt, the car spinning dangerously close to the guardrail. She clutched his arm, praying silently, the world blurring around her.
For a terrifying moment, she thought it was over. That their story would end here.
But Damian fought the wheel with every ounce of his strength, his jaw clenched, his focus unshakable. With one final twist, he managed to regain control. The car jolted to a stop inches from the edge of the road, the smell of burnt rubber filling the air.
Silence fell. The only sound was their ragged breathing.
"Amara..." Damian's voice was low, urgent, as he turned to her. His hand immediately checked her arms, her face, making sure she wasn't hurt. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. She nodded weakly, her eyes brimming with tears. "I-I'm fine. But Damian, we almost..." She couldn't finish the sentence.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her as tightly as if he feared she might slip away. "I'll never let anything happen to you. Not tonight. Not ever."
Amara buried her face against his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. The ring on her finger pressed between them, a reminder of what they had just promised each other.
It was clear to both of them that this was no ordinary accident. Someone had tried to take their happiness away.
Damian's eyes hardened as he held her trembling body. Whoever was behind it had crossed a line. And he would make sure they regretted ever coming after the woman he loved.
But for now, all that mattered was that they had survived-together.
Inside the quiet room, the atmosphere was heavy but intimate. Damian pulled Amara tightly into his arms, his grip firm as though he was afraid of letting her go. His voice, low and filled with restrained anger, broke the silence.
"We must find out who planned to kill us," he murmured against her hair. "I won't rest until I uncover the truth."
Amara tilted her head up to him, her eyes soft but determined. She nodded slowly, her fingers brushing over his chest. "I know you will, Damian. And I'll stand by you, no matter what."
The tension in his body eased just a little as he lowered his lips to hers. Their kiss was deep, filled with both comfort and passion, a silent promise that they would face whatever danger came together. For a while, they lost themselves in each other's warmth before finally drifting into sleep, still wrapped in one another's embrace.
---
Across town, rage simmered in a different room.
Clara stood in front of Serena, her face twisted in fury. "You told me it was only Amara heading home!" she shouted, her voice trembling with frustration. "Were you planning to kill Damian too?"
Serena leaned back on the couch, calm but cold, her eyes narrowing. "I thought she was alone," she replied evenly. "But that's not even the problem, Clara."
Clara's hands clenched into fists. "Not the problem? That was supposed to be perfect!"
Serena's lips curled into a chilling smile. "Listen. If you truly want Damian, then we don't stop here. We'll keep trying until Amara is officially out of the way-permanently. Then," she leaned forward, her voice dropping into a dangerous whisper, "Damian will be yours."
Clara's fury slowly shifted into a dangerous resolve, her eyes darkening with obsession. "Then we don't stop until she's gone. Forever."