ELARA'S POV
Three months after Victoria's death, Damien proposed. Not romantically or planned—he just asked one Sunday morning over pancakes.
"Will you marry me again?"
I almost dropped my fork. "What?"
"Marry me. I know we failed the first time, but we're different now. I'm different. I want to do it right."
"Damien, we've been living together for four months. That's not very long."
"We were married for three years before. That should count for something."
"It counts as reasons to be careful, not reasons to rush."
He deflated. "You're saying no."
"I'm saying not yet. Ask me in a year when we've proven we can actually sustain this."
"A year?"
"Yes. If we're still good in a year, ask again."
He looked disappointed but nodded. "Okay. A year."
I felt guilty for saying no, but I w
