Chapter 86
Grace's POV
I watched Elizabeth's mask of confidence crack as Eleanor turned to me with evident warmth.
"Failing to arrange a proper ceremony for you two. That oversight was entirely on us."
Ethan nodded in agreement, a genuine smile crossing his weathered face. Daisy nodded in acknowledgment as well.
They're supporting me. The realization washed over me like a wave of pure relief. Eleanor's fierce defense, Ethan's warm smile, Leon's acknowledging acceptance.
When Alex squeezed my hand, I felt tears prick at my eyes.
But then he did something that made my heart stop entirely.
Alex dropped to one knee beside me, pulling a box from his jacket pocket.
Oh my God.
The emerald ring inside caught the ballroom lights like captured fire, its facets throwing green sparks across his face. The entire room went dead silent—I could hear my own pulse thundering in my ears.
"Grace," he said, his voice low but carrying clearly across the hushed space. "We may have already signed the papers, but I want to do this properly. In front of everyone who matters to us."
His blue eyes locked onto mine, and I saw something there that made my chest tight with overwhelming emotion. "I promise you—from this moment forward, you are the only woman in my life. You are my wife, my partner, my equal in everything we face together."
He's really doing this. In front of everyone.
"Will you accept this ring?" he continued, his voice steady despite the magnitude of the moment. "Will you be my wife, not just in law, but in every way that truly matters?"
"Yes," I whispered, then louder as joy bubbled up in my chest, "Yes, of course I will, Alex."
The applause that erupted was thunderous, genuine emotion rippling through the crowd. Alex slipped the ring onto my finger—it fit perfectly, as if it had been made for me—and rose to pull me into his arms.
This is real, I thought as he held me close, his steady heartbeat against my cheek. This is actually happening.
When we finally broke apart, Alex led me back to the Morgan family table. The entire dynamic of the room had shifted—instead of questioning my legitimacy, people were talking about the romantic gesture, the obvious devotion between us.
As the evening began to wind down, Elizabeth made her excuses about feeling unwell. She gathered Andrew and swept toward the exit, but not before shooting me one last look that promised this battle was far from over.
The Morgan family prepared to leave as well, with Eleanor squeezing my hand warmly before departing.
"Take care of yourself, dear," she murmured, her voice soft with genuine affection. "And remember—you're family now. That means something in this world."
Family. The word still felt foreign and wonderful on my tongue.
Charles handled the remaining farewells with his usual diplomatic grace.
---
Oliver's POV
I stood in the garden corridor outside the ballroom, watching the last of the guests filter through the French doors. The evening air was cool against my skin, a welcome relief from the suffocating atmosphere inside.
Now or never.
"Sophia, wait."
She turned at the sound of my voice, and I saw her expression soften with recognition. The moonlight caught the gold threads in her hair, making her look almost ethereal.
I pulled the small velvet box from my pocket, my fingers trembling slightly. Seeing Alex propose to Grace in that moment, I felt inspired. "Do you remember that necklace?" I said quietly, opening it to reveal the delicate platinum bracelet set with a single aquamarine stone. "In college, when we passed that boutique window. You said it reminded you of the ocean."
I always remembered, but I couldn't afford it back then.
Sophia's eyes widened with surprise. "Oliver, I—"
"I know there's a gap between our worlds," I interrupted, the words tumbling out before I could lose my nerve. "I know your father sees me as nothing more than an adopted Davidson with no real prospects. But I'm going to prove myself worthy of his approval. I'm going to prove I deserve you."
Even if it kills me.
But then I heard footsteps on the gravel path behind us, and my heart sank as Charles appeared in the garden.
"Mr. Davidson," Charles said, his voice carrying unmistakable authority as he approached us with measured steps. "I think it's time we had an honest conversation."
He dismissed Sophia, leaving me alone with him.
I straightened, meeting his gaze without flinching despite the ice forming in my stomach. "Sir."
"Some paths simply cannot be walked," Charles continued, his tone gentle but absolutely implacable. "You're an intelligent young man. Surely you understand the realities of our respective positions in society."
Here it comes.
Charles placed a hand on my shoulder with deceptive casualness, but I could feel the steel beneath the gesture. "Sophia is Wilson family blood. She carries weight and responsibility. And you, regardless of your admirable personal qualities, are an adopted son of the Davidson family. Someone without inheritance rights or real standing."
Each word hit like a physical blow, but I forced myself to remain steady.
"I don't want to witness another scene like tonight's," Charles continued, his meaning crystal clear. "Starting next week, I'll be ensuring Sophia attends more... appropriate social functions. Functions where she can meet suitable prospects for her future."
Suitable prospects. The phrase tasted like ash in my mouth.
"I understand, sir," I said quietly, my voice steadier than I felt. "But understanding and accepting are two very different things."
Charles studied my face for a long moment, then nodded with something that might have been respect. "I expected nothing less from you, Oliver. But in matters like these, expectations and reality rarely align."
He turned to leave, then paused. "You're a good boy. Don't waste your life chasing impossibilities."
As his footsteps faded into the distance, I stood alone in the garden, staring down at the box in my hands.
Impossibilities.
I snapped the box shut and slipped it back into my pocket.
This isn't over. Not by a long shot.
I would prove myself. I would build something he couldn't dismiss, create value he couldn't ignore.