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Nathan continued talking, not yet noticing the change in her mood brought about by his words.

"It also has certain rules that not everyone can follow," he said with a mysterious air.

She remembered that time when she had to sign a similar contract and how everything had gone wrong.

"Then, good luck," she simply said, biting her lip.

But instead of heading to the door, Nathan sat down in front of her.

Suzanne watched him, and for a long moment, it was just the two of them. Their gazes spoke more than words, as if there was some kind of spell in the air.

"I'm sorry," she said, her eyes filling with tears.

She couldn't go on like this, pretending everything was fine between them without even having talked. She needed to tell him what she was thinking, to open her heart.

She wanted to get her husband back, to recover what they had started to build together.

"Why?" he asked.

"For not trusting you, for contributing to all those misunderstandings," she said sadly.

Nathan gave a half-smile, knowing he was largely to blame for her low self-esteem, for not giving her the place she deserved.

"Forget everything, let's leave the past behind, Suzanne," he took her hand. "Now, the only thing that matters is the present."

He seemed relaxed and happy.

"But..."

"But nothing. Clean slate," he smiled. "Forgive me for not realizing everything you felt in time, for all the harm I caused you."

She was moved but had been struck dumb. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

“Nathan, are you sure it’s just business?” she asked, trying to hide her disappointment.

Nathan looked at her, his expression softening. He placed the folder on the table and approached her.

“Suzanne, this is not just any business deal,” he said, taking her hands in his. “This is about us.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Us?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “I want to make an official proposal to you. I want you and our children to be a permanent part of my life. This contract is for our future together.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized the depth of his words. “Oh, Nathan…”

“I know I’ve made mistakes, but I want to make things right,” he continued. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our children, dear.”

Suzanne felt a rush of emotions, overwhelmed by his sincerity. She hugged him tightly, feeling a renewed sense of hope and love.

“Yes, Nathan. I want that too,” she whispered, tears of joy streaming down her face.

—I love you, Suzanne Peyton —he said, and she was left speechless. He had never said those words to her before.

—Do you really love me? Do you want us to get married again? —she couldn’t handle the emotion, starting to cry even harder.

—I have never spoken so seriously in my life —he smiled confidently.

—Oh, Nathan —her eyes misted over—. It makes me so happy to hear that. I… I love you too.

Nathan’s chest swelled with her words.

—Then sign the damn contract already —he said playfully, showing her the papers.

He sat her on his lap and, unable to hold back any longer, kissed her hungrily. She returned the kiss with equal intensity.

She had missed those lips so much.

—Give me that contract, I’ll sign it right now —she said breathlessly.

—Not so fast. There are rules you must follow —Nathan smiled, happy.

—What kind of rules?

—These:

1: You must love me as much as I love you.

—I’ve already fulfilled that rule —she whispered, kissing him quickly, and he smiled.

2: You must give me 7 little things like these —he said, pointing to their babies.

—I think we should negotiate that rule —she objected, frowning.

3: You must be mine for the rest of your life.

—that will be a pleasure —she said, smiling.

Nathan embraced her and kissed her slowly, then with more intensity, feeling his heart might burst with happiness.

He lifted her up and went down on one knee, leaving her speechless.

—So, Miss Peyton… —he pulled out a velvet box with a huge ring inside—. Do you accept the contract and marry me?

—I do, Mr. Stone —she said with tears in her eyes.

Nathan slipped the ring onto Suzanne’s finger, and the room seemed to sparkle with their joy. He stood up and held her close, their foreheads touching, their breaths mingling.

—Welcome back, Suzanne —he whispered.

She looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and elation.

—This feels like a dream —she murmured, her tears still fresh.

—It’s real —Nathan assured her, his voice steady. —And I’m not letting go.

They shared a tender kiss, one filled with promises of a future together. Nathan held her hand, his eyes locked on hers, as if memorizing the moment.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted their intimate moment.

—Who could that be? —Suzanne asked, puzzled.

Nathan glanced at the door, then at Suzanne.

—Let me check —he said, walking over to open it.

Outside stood Jamie and Dylan, both with expressions of genuine happiness and surprise.

—We didn’t mean to intrude —Jamie said with a grin. —We just wanted to see if everything was alright.

—Everything is more than alright —Nathan said, ushering them in. —In fact, we’ve got some news to share.

Dylan looked at Suzanne, who was glowing, and then at Nathan.

—I’m really happy for you both —Dylan said sincerely. —It looks like things are finally falling into place.

—Yes, they are —Suzanne agreed, wiping a tear from her eye. —And I couldn’t be more grateful for the people around me.

Jamie clapped Nathan on the back.

—I guess congratulations are in order —he said with a smile. —Here’s to new beginnings.

They all gathered around the fireplace, toasting to love, forgiveness, and new starts. The warmth of the fire mirrored the warmth in their hearts, as they looked forward to a future filled with hope and happiness.