"Claire," he breathed, his voice rough. "I’ve spent every second since the accident living for this moment. Not the arrest—but the chance to finally give you the life Julian tried to steal."He sank to one knee. The movement was fluid, practiced in his mind a thousand times. He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. Inside sat a ring—not a diamond, but a deep, oceanic sapphire surrounded by a halo of delicate gold leaves."I know you don't remember the day we first met by the docks," he said, his eyes searching mine. "I know you don't remember the promises we made. But I remember for both of us. Claire, let’s start the 'forever' that was interrupted. Will you marry me?"The world seemed to tilt. This was the moment my mother had predicted, the moment the fairy lights were strung for. But as I looked at the ring, I didn't feel excited, I felt a profound, hollow sadness."Michael," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Stand up. Please."He frowned slightly, the joy in his expression fli
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