Chapter 5 - THE SANCTUARY OF VALENTINE MANOR
When Mara woke up the next morning, she was no longer in the hospital suite.
She lay in a massive king-sized bed lined with Egyptian cotton sheets in a room flooded with warm morning sunlight. The high vaulted ceiling featured hand-painted frescoes, and wide French doors opened onto a private terrace overlooking miles of rolling green hills and manicured gardens.
She sat up slowly, clutching the soft duvet to her chest.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Mara called out hesitantly.
The door opened, and a kindly elderly woman wearing a crisp housekeeper's uniform entered, carrying a silver tray laden with fresh fruit, warm pastries, and herbal tea.
"Good morning, Miss Whitfield," the woman smiled warmly. "I am Mrs. Gable, the head housekeeper of Valentine Manor. Don Gabriel instructed us to let you rest for as long as you needed."
"Mrs. Gable..." Mara stammered, feeling completely out of place. "I... I can get my own breakfast. I shouldn't be staying in a guest room like this—"
"This isn't a guest room, child," Mrs. Gable interrupted gently, setting the tray across Mara's lap. "This is the Master Suite in the East Wing. Don Gabriel had it completely redecorated for you last night. And you are not a guest here. You are the lady of this house."
Mara stared at the housekeeper in shock. "Lady of the house? No, Mrs. Gable, you don't understand, I was a maid just two days ago—"
"I know where you came from, my dear," Mrs. Gable said softly, placing a warm hand on Mara's shoulder. "And I know how horribly you were treated by those dreadful Thornes. But Don Gabriel made it very clear to all forty staff members this morning: anyone who treats you with anything less than absolute devotion will be dismissed immediately."
Before Mara could process this, the bedroom doors opened again, and Gabriel stepped in.
He was dressed in a simple charcoal sweater and dark trousers, looking far less like a terrifying Don and more like a protective, handsome man.
Mrs. Gable bowed politely and left the room, closing the heavy doors behind her.
Gabriel walked over and sat on the edge of the mattress. His eyes swept over Mara’s face, assessing her clean, rested skin and the faint, healing mark on her cheek.
"How do you feel?" Gabriel asked softly.
"I feel like I'm living in someone else's life," Mara whispered truthfully.
Gabriel reached out, taking her soft hand in his warm palm. "This is your life now, Mara. You and our child will never want for anything again. You will never clean another floor, never take another insult, and never bow your head to anyone."
"Gabriel..." Mara looked down at their joined hands. "Your world... it frightens me. The people in the city call you a monster."
Gabriel didn't deny it. "I am a monster to my enemies, Mara. I have had to be, to survive and protect what is mine. But to you... to this baby... I will only ever be a shield."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He clicked it open, revealing a breathtaking platinum ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut yellow diamond that caught the sunlight brilliantly.
Mara gasped, her heart leaping into her throat. "Gabriel..."
"I am not asking you to marry me today," Gabriel said gently, taking the ring out of the box. "I know you need time. I know I have to earn your trust. But I want you to wear this as a symbol of my protection. As long as this ring is on your finger, every man, politician, and criminal in this state will know you belong to Gabriel Valentine."
Gently, he slipped the ring onto her ring finger. It fitted perfectly.
May you like
Mara looked at the brilliant diamond glowing against her hand, then looked up into Gabriel's intense, devoted gray eyes. Tears of relief spilled down her cheeks as she leaned forward, resting her forehead against his chest.
Gabriel wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her close, burying his face in her sweet, lavender-scented hair.
