?Chapter 3001:


    When they first arrived, he mentioned booking a yacht. Said he’d take her out to sea.


    And here it was.


    “We’re almost there.” His voice stayed steady. “You don’t need to do anything. I’ve got you.”


    “Okay.” She nodded without hesitation.


    Eric guided them across thest stretch of air. Their feet skimmed the deck, then touched down.


    Thending was smooth. Instructors rushed over to help unclip their harnesses.


    Hadley exhaled, brushing hair out of her face. Her heart was still racing.


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    She had just opened her mouth to ask, “So are we not…”


    Before she could say more, Eric dropped to one knee.


    “Hadley.” He looked up at her, eyes steady. “Science says love is chemical. It gives you joy, desire, excitement. It makes you want to be with someone. It gives you a rush. But those feelings don’tst forever. Science says they peak at six months—maybe four years at most. People aren’t wired to stay in love forever. Not naturally. So… What I want to say is…”


    His Adam’s apple rose and fell before he continued, “I’ll go against every instinct, defy what’s natural, and love you for a lifetime.”


    Eric reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box—elegant, palm-sized.


    He opened it and held it out to her.


    “Hadley,” he said, “will you prove it with me? That love canst?”


    Inside was the red diamond ring—one that had passed through her hands more than once.


    He took her left hand and held it. “Hadley, will you marry me?”


    But he didn’t slide the ring on right away. He waited.


    Her eyes were already red. Her chest felt tight, full of something heavy and sweet all at once.


    This wasn’t just a date. It was a proposal—carefully nned, deeply personal.


    She looked down at him. His eyes met hers, steady and bright.


    “Yes,” she said, her voice soft but sure. “Let’s get married.”


    “Yes!”


    Eric stayed on one knee, grinning wide. Then he gently slipped the ring onto her finger.


    Lifting his chin slightly, he said, “Your turn.”


    Her turn? For what?


    Hadley then smiled and nodded.


    She saw it now. Beneath the ring sat another item tucked in the box—the peach pit whistle.


    Hadley reached out and took it.


    The red string had been reced with a fresh one.


    He had kept it.


    Without needing to ask, Eric lowered his head.


    Hadley took the cord and ced it carefully around his neck.


    “Done.”


    The moment it settled against his chest, he stood and wrapped his arms around her waist.


    He didn’t say a word. He just leaned in and kissed her.


    Hadley’sshes fluttered as she lifted her arms and held him close.


    As long as they had each other, it didn’t matter when their story began.


    They were here now. And that was enough.


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