Chapter 5 - The Bloom in Lincoln Square
Six months later.
Spring had arrived in Chicago, painting the city in vibrant shades of green, gold, and pink.
In Lincoln Square, the familiar wooden sign of Walt’s Blooms hung outside the shop, freshly painted in bright yellow letters. The sidewalk in front of the store was lined with buckets of fresh tulips, sunflowers, lavender, and sweet peas, filling the morning air with a breathtaking fragrance.
Inside the shop, Sadi stood behind the wooden counter, trimming the stems of a massive bouquet of white roses.
She wore a simple green apron over a yellow sundress, her dark hair pinned up loosely. But around her neck hung a delicate gold necklace with a tiny diamond-encrusted flower pendant—a gift from the man who now owned her heart.
The bell above the shop door chimed merrily.
Old Walt walked out from the back room, holding two cups of fresh coffee. He handed one to Sadi, smiling warmly.
"The delivery van is packed, Sadi," Walt said, leaning against the counter. "Where's your helper today?"
"She's coming," Sadi smiled, looking out the shop window. "Corbin said they'd be here at nine."
Right on cue, a sleek, dark blue sedan pulled up to the curb outside the flower shop.
The door opened, and five-year-old Noel stepped out onto the sidewalk. She wore a bright yellow dress, yellow ribbons in her hair, and carried her small canvas flower bag over her shoulder.
She wasn't timid anymore. She ran straight through the front door of the shop, her laughter ringing out like music.
"Sadi! Walt!" Noel giggled, running around the counter and throwing her arms around Sadi’s waist.
Sadi dropped her shears, kneeling down to hug the little girl tight. "Morning, my little sprout! Are you ready for delivery day?"
"Yes!" Noel chattered excitedly, her voice bright and full of life. "Daddy let me pick the sunflowers today! We brought four boxes!"
Corbin Valleti stepped through the doorway behind his daughter.
He was dressed casually in a dark grey sweater and dark trousers, looking relaxed, healthy, and strikingly handsome. The cold, terrifying shadow that had once consumed him was gone, replaced by a deep, peaceful warmth in his green-gray eyes.
"Morning, Walt," Corbin nodded respectfully to the old florist.
"Mr. Valleti," Walt smiled, chuckling. "You're late. The Lincoln Park order needs to go out in twenty minutes."
" Blame my business partner," Corbin smiled, pointing at Noel. "She insisted on checking every sunflower for bees before we left the house."
Noel giggled, grabbing a small watering can from beneath the counter and running toward the sidewalk display to water the marigolds.
Corbin walked over to the counter where Sadi stood. He reached out, sliding his hands around her waist, pulling her gently against his chest.
"Morning, beautiful," Corbin murmured, leaning down to press a soft, warm kiss against her lips.
Sadi wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with a sweet, lingering warmth that made Corbin’s heart soar.
"Morning, boss," Sadi teased, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes. "How's the real estate business?"
"Boring compared to running a flower shop," Corbin chuckled softly, tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "The Lake Forest estate renovations are almost finished."
After the night of the attack, Corbin had completely leveled the old, dark mansion in Lake Forest. In its place, he had built a breathtaking, light-filled home surrounded by acres of open gardens, greenhouses, and flower beds—a place designed for life, laughter, and healing.
"And the family foundation?" Sadi asked softly.
"Finch signed the final papers this morning," Corbin revealed, his expression turning gentle. "The Penny Valleti Trauma Center for Children opens next month downtown. It will provide free therapy, art programs, and care for children who have suffered severe loss."
Sadi felt tears of pride swell in her eyes. She reached up, cupping Corbin’s jaw gently. "Penny would be so proud of you, Corbin. Truly."
Corbin looked at her, his eyes filled with profound love and devotion. "She would have loved you, Sadi. She would have thanked you for saving our daughter... and for saving me."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box, placing it gently on the wooden counter between them.
Sadi’s breath hitched. "Corbin..."
Corbin stepped back, looking into her gray eyes with absolute sincerity.
"Six months ago, you walked into my fortress carrying a handful of dried daisies," Corbin said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "You showed me that love isn't a vulnerability—it's the only thing worth fighting for. You gave my daughter her voice back, and you gave me a reason to live."
He opened the velvet box. Inside rested an exquisite ring—a yellow diamond cut in the shape of a blooming sunflower, surrounded by a band of delicate white diamond leaves.
"Sadi Brennan," Corbin spoke, his voice trembling slightly. "Will you marry me? Will you make our family complete?"
Sadi looked from the glittering ring to the man standing before her—the man who had shed his dark armor to become her devoted partner, protector, and love.
Out on the sidewalk, Noel stopped watering the flowers, peering through the shop window with wide, hopeful eyes, holding her hands together in silent prayer.
Sadi broke into a radiant, tearful smile.
"Yes," Sadi whispered, throwing her arms around Corbin’s neck. "Yes, Corbin! A thousand times yes!"
Corbin let out a joyous laugh, lifting her off her feet, spinning her around in the sweet-scented flower shop.
May you like
Noel burst through the front door, cheering and clapping her hands excitedly. "Yay! Sadi is my real mommy now!"
Corbin set Sadi down, sliding the sunflower ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. He knelt down, pulling Noel into their arms, and the three of them held each other tightly as the warm morning sun filled the flower shop with golden light.
