The next evening, Hale invited Amelia to his penthouse, a sleek and luxurious space that overlooked the glittering city skyline. The dinner he’d prepared was immaculate, the wine flowing easily as they talked about lighter things—her day, the twins, even the latest school fundraiser. For a brief moment, Amelia felt the heaviness of the last few weeks lift.
After dinner, they moved to the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against Amelia’s skin. Hale turned to her, his gaze soft but purposeful.
“Amelia,” he began, taking both her hands in his. His touch was warm, grounding her in the moment even as her heart raced. “I’ve been patient because I understand what you’ve been through. But I can’t keep pretending I don’t want more. I’ve given you everything I can—my time, my support, my heart. And I want us to take the next step.”
Amelia’s brows knitted in confusion, but Hale didn’t falter.
“I want to build a family with you,” he continued, his voice steady and filled with conviction. “I want us to have a child. A child who carries the best of both of us.”
Amelia’s breath caught, her chest tightening as she processed his words. The sincerity in his expression was undeniable, but the weight of his proposal left her reeling.
“Hale…” she started, her voice trailing off as her mind raced.
He leaned closer, his grip on her hands tightening just enough to convey his seriousness. “Think about it, Amelia. We could have something incredible together—something stable, something lasting. I’ve dreamed of this, and I believe we can make it real.”
Amelia didn’t know what to say. The life he was offering sounded perfect on paper, but the reality felt overwhelming. Memories of her children, of Ryan, of the chaos she’d endured, flashed through her mind.
She pulled her hands away gently, taking a step back. “I… I don’t know,” she said, her voice shaky.
Hale’s expression didn’t waver, though a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes. “Take your time,” he said, his tone calm but resolute. “But know this—I’m all in, Amelia. And I’ll be here when you’re ready.”