Selene's POV
The ride was long—unusually long for a quick "getaway" Antonio had so playfully insisted on this morning. He'd shown up at my door, annoyingly mysterious, dressed like he had a secret folded into the collar of his coat.
"I have something to show you," he'd said, grinning, his dimple threatening to undo all of my resistance.
"What is it?"
"Just… trust me."
And I did.
I always had.
But now, as we drove past winding lanes I didn't recognize, into the fringes of the city and somewhere far more private, curiosity clawed at my composure.
"You're awfully quiet," I murmured.
"I'm containing myself," he said simply, eyes still on the road. "Because if I open my mouth, I'll spill everything."
That made my chest flutter. But still, I had no clue what was coming.
We finally slowed down in front of a towering black gate, tucked away behind thick green hedges. The area was serene, untouched. I stared at the closed gates as Antonio tapped a passcode into the panel. The gates opened silently, revealing a private stretch of driveway lined with flowering trees. My brows pulled together. I had never been here before.
"You're not saying anything," he said as we rolled in.
"That's because I don't know what to say yet."
He parked the car in front of a structure that made my breath catch in my throat.
It wasn't familiar.
It wasn't something I had dreamt or sketched or imagined.
It was brand new.
A mansion—sleek and modern with classic charm, draped in twilight, its wide windows glowing gold like it was already filled with warmth. White stone walls shimmered, accented by dark wood and flowering balconies. There were lights along the steps, fairy-like, and carved initials on a bronze plaque by the door:
A & S
La Maison de Rêves — The House of Dreams.
I turned to Antonio, blinking rapidly. "Is this a model home? A design project?"
He shook his head, then slowly got out and came to open my door. I stepped out with legs that suddenly felt boneless.
"No," he said softly. "This is ours."
I laughed, but it came out as a stunned breath. "Antonio… what?"
He took both my hands in his, steady and sure. "Selene. I've been working on this for a while. Quietly. Every layout. Every detail. It's finally complete. It's livable. Ready. All it was missing… was you."
"You built this for us?"
"Yes. I wanted to give you a space before giving you a ring. A home before we even make forever official."
I followed him inside—my heels tapping against the marble as the doors opened. A fresh scent of cedar and vanilla greeted me, and the warm tones of the interior made my eyes well up instantly. Every inch reflected love and thoughtfulness.
A creative studio space—with both a sketching table and a sewing corner.
A library nook for my rainy days.
A gourmet kitchen, sunlit breakfast spot, and a balcony that overlooked a garden blooming in slow colors.
And then... there was a room at the end of the hallway.
It was painted in pale cream and sky blue.
Blank but soft.
Nursery.
My chest rose and fell like a wave crashing too early.
"You thought of everything," I whispered.
Antonio came behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Because I know you. I know what makes your heart still, Selene."
I turned, cupping his cheek with a trembling hand. "You kept this from me all this time?"
"I wanted to see the look on your face. And I wanted this to be my promise to you—silent, solid. No pressure. Just... here, if you're ready."
Tears pooled in my lashes. I didn't even bother to hide them.
"I love you," I whispered, pressing my forehead to his. "And I think… I'm ready to start building something real with you. This—this is beyond dreams."
His lips brushed against mine, soft, reverent, and deeply grounding. "Then welcome home, Selene Adele Laurent."
And just like that, in the quiet warmth of a house built from love and silence, I stepped into the next chapter of our lives—with no hesitation.