Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3029

Kya wrapped her little arms tightly around Emily's neck, her bright laughter echoing like silver bells through the massive room.

*

Charlie drove, letting Emily and Kya chatter in the backseat.

Every now and then, he'd toss a sarcastic comment over his shoulder, making Kya giggle so hard she'd collapse against Emily's chest. The sound of her joy was entirely infectious.

Emily gazed out the window, a frown touching her lips as the streets grew familiar. "Are we going to see Estelle?"

They were on Maple Street, heading straight for Villa del Sol.

She knew the route by heart from her days working shifts at the local bakery.

Charlie just smirked, his eyes on the road.

Assuming she was right, Emily asked him to pull over at the bakery so she could grab Estelle's favorite pastries.

Charlie parked the car, but instead of letting her out, he hopped out himself and returned a few minutes later carrying a massive, intricate cake shaped like a fairy-tale castle.

"Do you like it?" Charlie asked Kya.

Kya stared at the twinkling, battery-operated lights threaded through the frosting, her jaw dropping. "It's so pretty! When can I eat it?"

"Very soon," Charlie laughed, throwing the car back into gear.

Emily gave him a deadpan look. "We're going to visit Estelle, and you only bought a cake for a toddler?"

Charlie flashed a wicked grin in the rearview mirror. "You don't like it?"

"I—" Emily caught herself, rolling her eyes with a smile. "I love it."

They drove past the famous sycamore-lined avenue, but instead of turning toward Gabriel's estate, Charlie pulled up to a massive, gated property right across from Villa del Sol.

The wrought-iron gates swung open automatically. Charlie cruised up the driveway, parked the car, and turned around. "My beautiful passengers, we've arrived at our final destination."

Kya practically vibrated with excitement, staring at the massive windmill spinning lazily in the sprawling yard.

Charlie stood before her, holding Kya in one arm and balancing the castle cake in the other. "We have the castle. The prince is standing right here. Isn't it time for the princess to come home?"

Tears spilled hot and fast down Emily's cheeks. "When... when did you build this?"

Charlie's dark eyes were bottomless, drowning in affection. "Let's call it fate. The second I saw the model, I fell in love with it. I bullied Jonathan into selling me this plot of land. When I finally figured out you were the architect, I knew the universe was screaming at me."

Emily sobbed, nodding frantically. "Thank you."

"I built our family's home. You don't have to thank me for that," Charlie murmured. Seeing her cry physically ached. He reached out, his thumb gently wiping away a tear.

"Daddy!" Kya suddenly piped up, pointing at the cake. "There's a ring!"

Nestled in the center of the frosted roof, surrounded by edible sugar pearls, sat a breathtaking diamond ring.

The brilliant-cut center stone was flanked by intricately carved diamonds shaped like daisy petals. It was stunningly unique, practically screaming that it had been custom-designed just for her.

Charlie smiled. "Kya, ask Mommy if she'll wear the ring and marry Daddy."