[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-300":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},300,86,"Chapter 86: The Lifetime Contract","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian remained maddeningly mysterious about their destination, simply driving in silence for nearly two hours.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi finally couldn’t take the suspense. \"Damian, are you driving me into the middle of nowhere to sell me off?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Heh, maybe. Are you scared, Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Only if you find me a good buyer.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine. Once you sign the contract, you're staying put.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ugh, you’re insufferable!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi knew better than to pry; she leaned back and enjoyed the view. The scenery was refreshing, far from the stifling hum of the city, with rolling hills and wide-open skies that made her pulse slow to a calm, steady rhythm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A moment later, the sharp click of the parking brake signaled their arrival. The car idled on a vast expanse of lush, rolling grass.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We're here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The air was crisp and scented with pine and damp earth. Remi climbed out, the breeze catching her hair, and she couldn't help but stretch her arms toward the horizon.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wow. This is… peaceful.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you like it, Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I love it. My head finally feels quiet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She hopped over a low fence, settling onto a gentle slope, her hands propped behind her as she took in the clean, untainted air.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey,\" Damian said, holding out a sheaf of papers. \"Sign this, and you’re officially stuck here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi squinted at the documents, her brows knitting together in confusion. \"What is this? I can’t make heads or tails of this.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She stared at the architectural blueprints. \"Are you planning a development project out here?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian just smiled, keeping his secrets.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi tried again. \"A resort? A research facility? A clinic?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With every guess, he simply shook his head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, this is our home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Our home?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I wanted to wait until it was built to bring you here, but I couldn't wait another second.\" He cupped her face, his thumb grazing her skin with agonizing tenderness. \"Do you have any idea how much courage that ring you gave me provided?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So, you’ve had this ready the whole time, just waiting for me to take the first step?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You don't need to do anything. Just stand there and give me that look—the one with the wink—and I’ll know your heart. Remi, will you marry me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice hitched, his eyes locked onto hers with a raw, terrifying honesty. Remi’s vision blurred; a single tear slid down her cheek, then another. Her throat felt tight, constricted by the sheer weight of the moment. If her eyes could speak, they were screaming *yes.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She gave a small, shaky nod.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair, kissing her again and again. \"I promise I won't let you down. Thank you. Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi felt her heart swell, a golden, molten warmth flooding her chest. She had always been a sucker for his over-the-top, unabashed devotion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian took her hand, pointing out the layout of their future life. \"That spot there? That’s for the main house. We’ll drop a pool right in front.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And that flat stretch? That’s where the gardens go. I’ll hang a swing for you. We can host weekend barbecues during the summer.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know you love to ride, so we’ll carve out a full equestrian arena right over there.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"There’s no natural lake, but we’ll build one—one that’ll put the pond at Elysian Estate to shame.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi watched him as he paced, gesturing wildly, his face alight with a radiance that made him look like he was glowing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You remembered I liked the view at Elysian Estate?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course. I’m building your dream home, Remi. I want you to spend the rest of your life in it, with me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damian, what do I have to do to be worthy of this much love?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He smirked, scooping her up into his arms. \"I’d say you can start by putting in at least two hours of hard work every night.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damian Spencer, are you a walking romance-killer?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ha! Come on, it’s a simple, worldly request. Can’t you satisfy me, Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi turned her face away, huffing. \"Hmph. I’m not talking to you!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He just laughed. The sound drifted away into the breeze, leaving them in a world that contained nothing but the two of them.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272914676]