The Weight Of Leaving by Riven Kade novel Chapter 63

Chapter 24: Per Aspera Ad Astra

“Nova, will you marry me?”

Amidst a sea of flowers, Lorenzo Gabriel Rossi knelt on one knee, holding up a simple, elegant diamond solitaire. Beside

him, Scarlett clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling a giggle as she recorded the moment on her phone.

Nova Sterling blinked, momentarily stunned, then a soft smile touched her lips. “This is… sudden?”

“I’ve been planning it since we made things official six months ago,” Lorenzo said, his gaze steady and sincer, “I knew

then. My future partner is you. It can only be you.” He paused, his voice thick with convictio,. “From the moment we met,

we just… fit. We work together seamlessly, our tastes align, and we love each other deeply. I couldn’t think of a single

reason to wait any longer.”

Nova tilted her head, eyes glistening.

Lorenzo was right–being with him felt effortless.

He’d drop everything when she fell ill, stay up till 3 a.m. when her designs stalled, chase inspiration with her across

continents, his steady presence always at her back.

“Nova! Don’t just stand there!” Scarlett interjected, her own nerves showing. “This is totally your call! I crashed the proposal, but it’s not to pressure you! If you’re not ready yet…”

‘Yes.‘

Scarlett’s words cut off mid–sentence. With a squeal, she launched herself at Nova, enveloping her in a bone–crushing hug just as Nova started to extend her hand towards Lorenzo and the ring. “Oh my god! Nova! We’re going to be sisters!”

Lorenzo, the ring still poised, froze. He shot an exasperated look at his impulsive sister before turning back to Nova. His

eyes, however, were alight with pure, unadulterated joy.

On the wedding day, as Scarlett carefully pinned Nova’s veil into place, her own eyes suddenly welled up. “Nova… be

happy. Promise me you’ll be so happy…”

Nova chuckled, though her own vision blurred slightly. “What? You don’t trust your own brother to make me happy?”

*I… I’m just… overwhelmed, Scarlett sniffed, wiping hastily at her eyes.

As the resonant notes of the pipe organ filled the church with the Wedding March. Nova saw Lorenzo standing at the

altar. His fingers, clasped tightly before him, were trembling slightly

When the officiant asked, ‘Do you take Nova Sterling to be your lawfully wedded wife?, Lorenzo’s “I do!” burst out almost

before the question was finished, drawing warm laughter from the gathered guests.

During the bouquet toss. Nova deliberately threw it backwards with a slight are. The roses arced over gasping guests grazing the last oak pew where a stooped figure in a hooded coat frantically ducked into the shadows

“What happen?” Lorenzo followed her gaze towards the pillar

Chapter 24 Per Aspera Ad Astra

“Nothing.” Nova murmured, rising onto her toes to kiss her new husband. “Just a trick of the light.”

Days later, in a rehabilitation center on the outskirts.

“Mr. Blackthorn, your account balance is insufficient,” the nurse stated, handing him a printed invoice. Her tone was

professionally detached. “If payment isn’t settled by tomorrow, we’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Zane Blackthorn took the paper numbly. Since the bankruptcy of Blackthorn Group and the death of his mother, this

place had been his bleak refuge. The former business titan couldn’t even afford basic care anymore.

Dragging a worn suitcase behind him, he stepped out through the facility’s main gates. Rain plastered his thin jacket to

his skin. On a large street–side screen across the road, a financial news segment played: “Nova Sterling, creator of the

‘Stardust‘ collection, recently announced her marriage in a high–profile ceremony. Company valuations soar to new

heights…”

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