Chapter 27 – The Proposal
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Rachel’s Pov
I stirred awake to the delicious scent of coffee and warm pastries.
My eyes fluttered open, and the sight before me made my heart swell.
Xavier stood by the bed, a tray in his hands, his dark eyes filled with adoration.
“Good morning, my love,” he said, setting the tray down beside me.
I sat up, rubbing my sleepy eyes. “What’s all this?”
“Breakfast in bed,” he replied with a smirk. “You had a rough night after that call. I figured you deserved to be spoiled.”
I swallowed, remembering the threatening words I’d heard over the phone.
A chill ran down my spine, but it quickly disappeared as Xavier pressed a warm kiss to my forehead.
“Eat first,” he murmured. “Then I have something else planned.”
I arched my brow. “Something else?”
Xavier grinned but said nothing.
After eating, I lay back, enjoying the warmth of the sun filtering through the curtains.
Xavier moved behind me, his strong hands pressing into my shoulders.
I moaned softly. “A massage too? Are you trying to make me fall even more in love with you?”
His lips brushed against my ear. “You already love me.”
His hands traveled lower, and soon, the massage turned into something else entirely.
By the time we were both breathless and tangled in each other’s arms, the sun was high in the sky.
Xavier reached for something on the nightstand and handed me a small velvet box.
I stared at it, confused. “What’s this?”
He propped himself up on his elbow, his expression serious yet full of warmth.
“Rachel, our first wedding wasn’t done properly. It was rushed. There were no vows, no celebrations–just paperwork. I don’t want that for us. I want the world to know that you’re mine. I want us to have the wedding you deserve.”
I blinked, my throat tightening. “Are you… Are you proposing?”
He chuckled. “Yes. But only if you say yes.”
I bit my lip, my heart pounding. “Of course, it’s a yes, Xavier. Besides, I’m already married to you.”
He slipped the ring onto my finger, and I couldn’t help but admire it. It was a gigantic beautiful diamond ring.
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Xavier kissed my knuckles. “Then it’s settled. We’re going to have the most extravagant wedding this city has ever seen.”
I sighed happily, resting my head against his chest. The TV was still on in the background, and just as I was about to doze off again, the news caught my attention.
BREAKING NEWS: RUSSO CORPORATION IN CRISIS AS INVESTORS WITHDRAW
SUPPORT.
The reporter detailed how shareholders were pulling out, refusing to be associated with the company after the recent scandal.
Michael’s family empire was crumbling faster than I had imagined.
Xavier poured us both a glass of wine, and we clinked them together in a toast.
“To the downfall of the Russos,” he said.
I smirked. “And to our future.”
As we sipped our wine, I turned to him. “When are we going to reveal Susan’s secret?”
Xavier’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Later today. When we deliver our wedding
invitation.”
I laughed. “Oh, it’s going to be a fun visit.”
Later that morning, Xavier and I drove to my office together.
I felt lighter than I had in days, but the moment I stepped into my workplace, my good
mood vanished.
Michael was waiting for me.
His face was tight with rage, his usual confident demeanor replaced by desperation.
As soon as I walked in, he grabbed my arm, his grip rough.
“Michael, what the hell?” I snapped, yanking my arm back.
His eyes burned with fury. “Why are you doing this, Rachel? Why are you trying to ruin my family?”
I glared at him. “Your family ruined itself. I’m just making sure the truth is known.” His grip tightened. “You don’t know what you’re doing. You think you can destroy me? Is this your way of getting revenge? Are you using Xavier to make me jealous?”
I froze, shocked by his audacity. “Jealous?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Michael, you betrayed me. You humiliated me. I don’t need to use anyone to make you jealous.”
Michael clenched his jaw. “Then why are you doing this? You’ve done enough. Stop this nonsense, Rachel.”
I shoved him away. “You’re pathetic, Michael. You want me to erase the truth just to save your company? Well, guess what? I’m not going to stop. By the time I’m done, you won’t have anything left.”
Michael’s face twisted with anger. “You’re making a mistake.”
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I shoved him away. “You’re pathetic, Michael. You want me to erase the truth just to save your company? Well, guess what? I’m not going to stop. By the time I’m done, you won’t have anything left.”
Michael’s face twisted with anger. “You’re making a mistake.”
I smirked. “No, Michael. The mistake was ever loving you.”
I turned to the security guards near the entrance. “Get him out of my building.”
The guards moved in, grabbing Michael by the arms. He struggled, but he couldn’t fight them off.
“You’ll regret this, Rachel!” he shouted as they dragged him away.
I took a deep breath, watching as he disappeared down the hall.
Good riddance.
At the end of the day, Xavier arrived to pick me up.
As I slid into the car, he handed me a gold–plated wedding invitation.
I gasped, running my fingers over the elegant lettering. “Xavier, this is beautiful!”
He smirked. “Only the best for you.”
I kissed him softly. “You always know how to surprise me.”
As we drove, I recounted my earlier encounter with Michael. Xavier listened, his jaw tightening slightly.
“He actually had the audacity to say I was making him jealous,” I scoffed.
Xavier chuckled. “Poor Michael. He must be losing his mind.”
I smirked. “Well, it’s about to get worse. Once we deliver this invitation, we’ll also reveal
Susan’s secret.”
Xavier’s eyes darkened with amusement. “It’s going to be an eventful visit.”
I nodded, a slow smile spreading across my lips.
And I couldn’t wait.
