Woke Up and Left the Cage of My Marriage 25
Chapter 25
The days that followed marked the start of Ethan’s long and painful journey toward redemption.
First, he began regular sessions with one of the best therapists in the field. He truly confronted the flaws in his character, dug into the roots of his need for control, and learned how to love someone in a genuine, healthy way.
He was no longer the high-and-mighty leader of the Fletcher family, wielding rules like chains. Instead, he worked hard to humble himself, to really understand and accept every part
of Natalie.
He stopped meddling in her career. On the contrary, he used every resource he had to clear the road for her, offering support from behind the scenes, never claiming credit. He became her most reliable anchor-always steady, always there.
He went with her to do all the things he once forbade, even extreme sports like bungee jumping.
Standing with her at the edge of the platform, his face ghost-pale but holding her hand so
tight, he leaped with her. Natalie saw real fear in his eyes-and the courage to overcome it for
her sake.
T
He went with her to watch the northern lights, pitching tents in a frozen wonderland, clumsy hands making hot cocoa, just so she could enjoy the fantasy green light outside the window from the warmth of their little tent. He remembered all her likes and dislikes, being meticulous -almost to the point of obsession.
A year slipped quietly by.
Natalie’s jewelry brand, Aurora, was now world-renowned.
The large-scale exhibition she’d spent years preparing-“Wings of Flight”-had its grand opening at the most famous art museum in Paris.
Every piece on display captured her journey from destruction to rebirth, each one resonating with a breathtaking force. The media showered her with praise; the room was packed with the elite.
Ethan, her most important supporter and guest, was there at the opening night gala.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, he stood among the crowd, his gaze never leaving the shining figure that was Natalie.
After a year, Ethan had grown more composed, more reserved. The darkness and obsession in
Chapter 25
his eyes were replaced by something deep, patient, and cautious-a quiet kind of love.
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The evening reached its peak at the center of the exhibit. Under the spotlight, inside a glass case, lay a breathtaking brooch-
Natalie’s latest work, and the star of the entire show: “The Lark’s Freedom.”
Platinum traced the outstretched wings of a soaring lark, each feather inlaid with countless tiny diamonds and sapphires. Its eyes were sharp, its form elegant and free, as if it would break free of all restraints and soar into the skies at any moment.
Everyone was transfixed by the artistry and spirit of the piece.
And that’s when Ethan walked up to the case.
He turned around, facing the crowd and, not far off, Natalie, who was frowning slightly as she
watched him.
The hall slowly quieted until every eye was on him.
Ethan took a deep breath. He pulled out a dark blue velvet ring box from his pocket.
Then, in front of cameras from all over the world, in front of everyone’s shocked gaze, he slowly and solemnly got down on one knee and opened the box.
Inside was a ring like no other. The main stone was a huge, flawless diamond, but instead of a classic band, the setting was designed like a flexible vine, wrapping gently around the stone— protecting, but never holding it back.
“Natalie,” Ethan said, his gaze steady and sincere, his words ringing through the gallery’s sound system. “This past year, I’ve learned how to love. I’ve learned to let go of those stupid rules and my need for control. I can never erase my mistakes, but I want to spend the rest of
life making up for them.”
my
His voice trembled almost imperceptibly, but there was more resolve than anything else.
“I call this ring ‘Heart’s Prison.’ Natalie, you were born to fly free. As for me-Ethan Fletcher -I’m willing to be captive to your love forever, to be your safe harbor always.”
He held the ring up, his eyes filled with humble longing and a love so deep it was impossible to dissolve. “Will you marry me? Give me a chance, let me use my whole life to prove it to you.”
The whole room erupted in shock, then was struck by a deathly silence. Every guest waited, holding their breath, for Natalie’s answer.
Flashbulbs popped everywhere, capturing the drama of this moment.
Natalie stood where she was, looking at the man kneeling before her. The devotion and humility in his eyes looked so real, and she’d witnessed his change over the past year.
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But instead of reaching for the ring, she slowly started to clap-one sharp, clear beat after
another.
The crisp applause echoed through the silent gallery, out of place and impossible to ignore.
A smile, stunningly beautiful yet cold to the extreme, curled on her red lips-like a rose blooming atop a glacier.
“Ethan Fletcher,” she said, her voice clear and calm through the mic, yet laced with a sharp, all -knowing mockery. “What a show you put on. So loving, so humble, so regretful… Even I almost believed you.”
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