When Hearts Heal

Chapter 40

Dominic left for another business trip, this time to oversee the renovations of one of his hotels in another city. As he packed his bags and prepared to leave, there was a sense of both excitement and sadness in the air. I knew he was eager to get the project underway, but I couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness as he headed out.

“Remember, it’s just a week,” he said, trying to sound upbeat despite the visible reluctance. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

“I know,” I replied, offering him a smile. “But it feels strange to be apart after everything that happened.”

Dominic pulled me into a tight embrace, his warmth reassuring. “We’ve been through so much together. A week apart won’t change that. We’ll get through it.”

As he walked out the door and I waved him off, I felt a mix of anticipation and solitude. The apartment felt unusually quiet without him, and I knew that this week was my chance to reflect on his proposal and come to a decision.

Over the next few days, I immersed myself in work and kept myself busy with various activities to keep my mind occupied. Yet, amidst the busyness, Dominic’s proposal lingered in my thoughts. I spent evenings reading, journaling, and talking to Maya about my feelings. Each night, I would sit in the quiet of our apartment, reflecting on what Dominic meant to me and what I truly wanted for our future.

I remembered our conversations, the way he had spoken about our future, and how he had patiently waited for me to be ready. His love and dedication had become evident in countless small ways. Yet, my past experiences and the fear of making a commitment still loomed large.

One evening, as I sat in the living room with my journal open, I made a list of what I wanted in my future and what I felt I needed to resolve before making a decision. I thought about my relationship with Dominic—how it was different from my previous one with Jared. Dominic had been nothing but supportive, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that my hesitation stemmed from past fears rather than my current reality.

By the fifth day of Dominic’s trip, I felt a surge of clarity. I knew deep down that Dominic was everything I had ever wanted. Our relationship had been built on trust, mutual respect, and love. I was ready to take this step with him, to build a future together.

When Dominic called me on the sixth day, his voice full of excitement about the progress of the hotel renovations, I couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of joy at hearing from him.

“Hey, how’s everything going?” I asked, trying to sound casual but feeling the weight of the decision I was about to share.

“Busy but good,” Dominic replied. “I’m really excited about the progress we’re making. Can’t wait to show you the pictures when I get back.”

“I’m sure it’s going to look amazing,” I said, smiling at the thought of his enthusiasm. “I’ve been thinking a lot while you’ve been away.”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. “About what?”

“About us,” I said, taking a deep breath. “About your proposal and our future.”

Dominic’s voice grew softer, filled with anticipation. “And what have you decided?”

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” I continued, my heart racing. “I’ve come to realize how much you mean to me and how much I want to build a future with you. I’ve thought about our past year together, and I can see a life with you that makes me truly happy.”

“That’s wonderful to hear,” Dominic said, his voice filled with emotion. “So, does this mean...”

“It means yes,” I said, my voice steady but full of affection. “I want to marry you, Dominic. I’m ready.”

There was a moment of silence on the line before Dominic’s joyful exclamation filled the space. “Really? Adeline, that’s... that’s amazing! I can’t wait to see you and celebrate together.”

“I can’t wait either,” I said, feeling a wave of relief and happiness wash over me. “I’m excited about our future.”

The conversation continued with both of us excitedly discussing plans and dreams for the future. It was clear that the proposal had only deepened our connection and solidified our commitment to one another.

Dominic returned the following day, and as soon as he walked through the door, he enveloped me in a warm, loving embrace. “I missed you,” he said softly, his voice full of genuine emotion.

“I missed you too,” I replied, looking up at him with a smile.

Dominic’s eyes filled with tears of joy. “You don’t know how much it means to me to hear you're ready for our future.”

He pulled me close, and we shared a tender kiss, the kind that spoke of promises and futures yet to come. As we broke apart, Dominic’s face lit up with a radiant smile.

“So, what do you say we start planning the rest of our lives?” he asked, his voice filled with excitement.

“I’d love that,” I said, my heart swelling with happiness. “Let’s start making our dreams come true.”

The week apart had given us both the clarity we needed, and now, as we looked ahead to our future, we felt more connected than ever. The road ahead was filled with promise and possibility, and I was ready to face it with Dominic by my side.