Romans de Selome

Chapter 276 ​“I told myself I’d wait for a perfect, quiet moment,” Lucian said, his voice shaking with raw emotion. “But then I realized that every moment with you is the perfect moment. I don’t want to waste another second pretending I don’t know my own mind. I want you. I want the hard days and the good ones. I want to build a life where you never have to wonder if you’re the first choice.” ​Tears welled in Carmen’s eyes and spilled over. ​“Will you marry me, Carmen Rhodes?” ​“Yes,” she sobbed, the word breaking out of her like a prayer. “Yes, Lucian! A million times, yes!” ​The room exploded into cheers. Nathan hugged Lucian so hard he nearly lifted him off the ground. Frank and Matthew shared a look of deep, paternal pride. I pulled Carmen into a tight embrace, feeling her heart racing against mine. ​“Looks like we’re really becoming sisters now,” I whispered. ​She laughed through her tears, clutching her new ring. “I wouldn’t want it any other way, Elena.” ​ ​The celeb

Chapter 275 ​“Carmen,” he said, stopping her mid-sentence. “I didn't bring you here to talk about the docks.” ​She went still, her wine glass halfway to her lips. “Oh really????? Then why am I here?” ​“I’m tired of the act,” Lucian said, leaning forward. “I care about you. And I don’t mean as a partner or a colleague. I mean as a man who can’t stop thinking about you the moment you leave the room.” ​Carmen’s breath hitched. She set her glass down, her fingers trembling just enough for him to notice. She crossed her arms, trying to regain her defensive posture. “Lucian, don’t… We have a good thing going. Don’t ruin it with… feelings.” ​“I’m not ruining it; I’m trying to save it,” Lucian countered. “I love you, Carmen. I love your stubbornness. I love how you never back down from a fight. I love the woman you are when the world isn't watching.” ​Silence stretched between them, thick and emotional. Carmen swallowed hard, her eyes shimmering. “I like you too,” she admitted, her voic

Chapter 274 ​Lucian took a slow sip of his drink, staring at the horizon. “Just thinking. About how much has changed. A few months ago, I thought my life was over. I thought I’d lost everything that mattered.” ​“You didn’t,” Nathan said firmly. “You just cleared the space for something real. You didn't want to have anything to do with someone who doesn't belong to you.” He paused, turning to look at Lucian directly. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking about my wedding. When are we going to talk about yours?” ​Lucian stiffened slightly. “I don’t know what you mean.” ​“Don’t lie to me,” Nathan chuckled. “I see the way you look at Carmen Rhodes. I see how you breathe differently when she’s in the room. You’re in love with her, Lucian and if you’re waiting for a sign from the universe, this is it.” ​Lucian sighed, his shoulders dropping. “She’s incredible, Nathan. She’s strong, she’s brilliant, and she’s been through hell just like I have. But she’s guarded. She’s built a wall aroun

Chapter 273 ​Nathan Cain approached wedding planning with the same ruthless, terrifying focus he once used to dismantle multi-billion dollar companies. In the past, his war room was filled with monitors, secret files, and grim-faced bodyguards. Now, it was filled with silk swatches, floral arrangements, and stacks of ivory cardstock. ​I watched him from the sofa, a book forgotten in my lap. He was pacing the length of the living room, a tablet in one hand and a phone pressed to his ear. ​“No, the ivory is too dull,” he said, his voice firm and commanding. “It looks like old paper. She likes warm tones. Soft gold. And I want the flowers to be real—freshly cut, delivered the morning of. If a single petal is wilted, send the whole batch back.” ​I couldn't help but smile. It was strange and wonderful to see this side of him. The man who had faced down assassins was currently arguing over the shade of a tablecloth. ​“She,” I said lightly, catching his eye, “is sitting right here. And

Chapter 272 The tall buildings and neon lights faded, replaced by the dark silhouettes of trees and the winding curves of the coastal road. ​Finally, the car slowed. I heard it before I saw it—the rhythmic, powerful roar of the ocean. ​We stepped onto a private beach, a hidden cove cut away from the rest of the world. It was completely empty, except for a path of glowing candles that lined the sand, flickering like fallen stars. Lanterns swayed in the breeze from the branches of nearby trees. Soft music was playing from somewhere—a slow, gentle rhythm that matched the heartbeat of the waves. ​My eyes filled with tears instantly. "Nathan..." ​He guided me forward, leading me down the path of light. "This place," he said, his voice low and intimate, "has always been my quiet place. I bought this land years ago when I felt like the world was too loud. I’ve never brought anyone here. Not once." ​I turned to him, the salt spray of the ocean dampening my cheeks. "Why now? Why bring

Chapter 271 ​As they began to work, I felt a profound shift inside me. For months, my body had been a place of survival. I had focused on the pain of my wounds, the slow process of healing, and the grit I needed to keep standing. I had looked in the mirror and seen a survivor, a doctor, a victim. ​But now, I was being treated gently, lovingly just like a baby. I knew I never made the wrong choice when I picked Nathan as my man. ​"You don’t need to be anyone else today," the silver-haired woman whispered as she brushed my hair into soft, shimmering waves. "You don't have to be the doctor. You don't have to be the girl who has been through a lot......... My darling........ You just need to be you, your authentic self." ​I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. I had forgotten who "just me" was. ​I picked one of the dresses laid out. It was a simple dress but the embroidery and careful beading on it screamed luxury. They dressed me slowly and thoughtfully. The fabric of the