A Dance with Danger

Chapter seveny-Nine

**Estelle POV**

One year later........

The night air in Birmingham was warm, the soft hum of conversations blending with the clink of glasses and laughter from inside the venue. The grand opening of Darling’s magazine had drawn in the city’s elite, all dressed in their finest attire. I stood near the entrance, my green spaghetti strap dress swaying slightly as I took in the beauty of the event.

The gown clung to my body just enough to be flattering, but it was the way the color complemented my skin that made me feel beautiful. It had been a long time since I allowed myself to truly feel that way, but tonight, something about the atmosphere and the people around me had lifted my spirit.

Tiberius stood beside me, his presence like a shield, always close enough for me to feel safe, yet distant enough to allow me the space to breathe. He was a vision in a tailored black suit, the deep color making his eyes appear even more intense than usual. His dark hair was neatly combed, and the sharp cut of his jawline seemed more defined under the dim lights of the venue. I could feel the heat of his body beside me, but it was his quiet, reassuring presence that kept me grounded.

“You look amazing,” he said, his voice low and smooth, as he gazed at me with that familiar intensity. His eyes seemed to scan me from head to toe, lingering for a moment before meeting my gaze.

I smiled, my lips curving into a soft, genuine expression. “Thank you, but you look far more handsome tonight.”

He chuckled softly, but the sound was wrapped in a hint of something darker, something unspoken. “Still, I can’t help but think about how you’ll stand out in the crowd.”

His words made my heart flutter. The way he saw me was different than anyone else. It wasn’t just the physical attraction; it was the way he made me feel seen, understood, and respected. I’d never experienced anything like it before. Over the past year, everything had shifted for me—so much had changed in our lives, yet somehow, here we were, standing together, stronger than we’d ever been.

After a few more minutes of mingling, we excused ourselves from the crowd. The night was still young, but the energy in the room was beginning to feel suffocating. Tiberius took my hand, leading me outside. The cool night air felt refreshing against my skin as we walked through the private gardens of the venue. The buzz from inside faded as we moved further away from the party, and I felt a sense of peace settle over me.

We walked side by side, our fingers intertwined, the quiet of the garden offering us a brief escape from the world. The soft rustle of leaves in the trees was the only sound that accompanied us as we made our way down the path. 

“Tiberius,” I began, breaking the silence, “are you sure about this?” 

He stopped walking and turned to face me, his eyes focused, unwavering. “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life, Estelle.” 

There was a gentle sincerity in his voice that struck me, and I could see the truth in his eyes. Over the past year, he had never wavered, never faltered in his commitment to me. His presence had been a constant, and no matter how turbulent things had gotten, he had always been there, holding me together. 

“But…” I hesitated, trying to find the right words. “We’ve been through so much. You know everything I’ve been through with Cesare and Archibald. Is this really the right time? I don’t want to bring you into something too… messy.” 

Tiberius reached out and cupped my cheek with his hand, his thumb brushing across the soft skin of my face. His touch was warm, grounding me in the moment. “Estelle, we’ve already been through the hardest parts. We’ve made it through the chaos, the pain, the darkness. We’re still here, standing strong. You and I are a team. Nothing could be more perfect than that.” 

His words, filled with confidence and love, seemed to settle the storm of doubt that had been brewing in my mind. It had been a long road, and I knew there would always be challenges ahead, but with Tiberius by my side, I felt invincible. 

We continued walking, the silence between us no longer filled with uncertainty but with the weight of something deeper, something more profound. As we reached a gazebo tucked away in the garden, Tiberius stopped and turned to face me. The soft glow of the lanterns surrounding us illuminated his features, and for a moment, everything seemed to fade away. It was just him and me. 

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, holding it in front of me. My breath caught in my throat as he dropped to one knee, his eyes never leaving mine. 

“Estelle, I know that we are practically married to each other,” Tiberius began, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. “The moment you burst into my room, I couldn’t get you out of my mind. You had me on my toes. Estelle Ilaria Greyson, will you marry me?” 

His words hung in the air between us, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. My heart raced in my chest, my thoughts swirling, but the only thing I could focus on was the man kneeling before me, his eyes full of love and hope. 

A rush of emotions flooded over me—love, fear, joy, and uncertainty all wrapped into one. But amidst it all, one thought rang true: I couldn’t imagine a life without him. I had been broken and lost before, but with him, I was whole. He was my strength, my home. 

“Yes,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Yes, Tiberius.” 

A smile broke across his face, and without a moment’s hesitation, he slid the ring onto my finger. The cool metal was a perfect fit, a symbol of everything we had been through together, and everything we would build in the future. 

Tiberius stood, pulling me into his arms. His lips found mine in a kiss that was soft at first, almost tentative, but as the seconds passed, it deepened. It was as if the kiss was a promise, a vow that no matter what came next, we would face it together. 

When we finally broke apart, our foreheads rested together, and I couldn’t help but smile, a sense of peace washing over me. 

“This is it, Estelle,” Tiberius whispered. “This is our new beginning.” 

I nodded, my heart full, my future suddenly clear. There was no more doubt, no more fear. It was just him and me, bound together by love and everything we had overcome. The rest of the world didn’t matter anymore. We had each other, and that was all we needed. 

And with that, we walked away from the gazebo, hand in hand, ready to face whatever the future held for us—together.

The end

And that's a wrap on ADWD, I wouldn't believe myself when I said I would reach this far.but here i am.

I am officially announcing that we are having another book it is a stand-alone. But it will take me some time to write so please bare with me.

See you in the epilogue