Chapter 1040:


    “I cannot forgive or absolve your father. What he did has carved permanent scars into my life. But I promise you this—as long as he doesn’t force my hand, I’ll try my utmost not to take his life.”


    I exhaled slowly before continuing,


    “Still, he will likely spend his remaining days behind prison walls. This is the greatest mercy I can offer.”


    Makenna’s POV:


    The promise I made kindled a spark of hope in the three princes. Bryan was the first to rise, approaching me and taking my hand. His grip—firm yet gentle—conveyed his excitement.


    Before I could speak, he looked at me with earnest eyes and said,


    “We know we have no right to ask anything of you. But Leonardo is our father, and we can’t simply stand by while he faces his end. Perhaps letting him spend his remaining years in prison is the best oue for everyone involved.”


    His eyes reddened as emotion gradually thickened his voice.


    Dominic’s face softened with a mixture of relief and gratitude.


    “Makenna, you making such a bigpromise is more than enough for us,” he said quietly. “We’re truly grateful and ask nothing more.”


    “Makenna, thank you, truly thank you.” yton’s clear voice resonated as he offered me a genuine smile.


    Looking at them, I finally felt the tension leave my body with a long exhale.


    “You’ve all sacrificed so much for me,” I said honestly. “I should return the favor somehow.”


    I lifted my ss of wine from the table, swirling it gently.


    “Thank you for caring for me these past days, for your understanding and patience. Meeting you—loving you—has been the greatest blessing of my life.”


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    I got up, holding my ss high, and looked at them.


    “A toast to you all. Thank you so much.”


    At my words, they lifted their sses too, clinking them with mine from across the table before downing their wine in unison.


    yton smiled warmly, his eyes shining with affection and unspoken emotion. He lifted the wine bottle, refilling his empty ss before gently touching it to mine.


    “Actually, I’m the one who should be truly grateful,” he murmured. “Knowing you has taught me what happiness really means.”


    His words warmed my heart as a blush crept across my cheeks, prompting me to lower my gaze shyly.


    “I feel the same. Since meeting you all, I’ve truly understood what love is. This love has made me brave and brought a warmth to my life I’ve never known before.”


    At that moment, Dominic and Bryan simultaneously raised their sses, the crystal ringing softly as they clinked against mine.


    Bryan, rarely one for seriousness, gazed at me with unexpectedly gentle and determined eyes.


    “Makenna, between us, ‘thank you’ feels too formal. If you truly want to express gratitude, perhaps consider another approach, like…”


    He paused with deliberate timing, the fleeting solemnity on his face dissolving into his characteristic mischievous grin.


    “Showing your appreciation in a more… intimate fashion.”


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    Message from Noa: Have a great day dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


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