Chapter 55

They lay together in bed, skin against skin, the room wrapped in warmth and quiet. Aaron gently traced his fingers along Ivy’s arm, his eyes fixed on her face. Ivy smiled softly and nestled her head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The sheets were a mess—marked by the intensity of their love—but neither of them cared. Aaron sat up beside her and looked down at her bare form, his gaze full of affection. Ivy looked up and smiled, calm and content. Without a word, Aaron reached into the pocket of his shirt draped nearby and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it and slipped the ring onto her finger. “Aaron, wh—?” Ivy began, her voice caught in her throat as her brows furrowed. He looked straight into her eyes. “Will you marry me?” Ivy froze. Her hand flew to her mouth as she sat up, stunned. Her eyes widened, and she stared at him, then at the ring. Words failed her. This was it. Her dream—so often imagined, so deeply wished for—was now real. Her heart p