I was no longer the frightened woman who had fled Memphis in the middle of the night.

I was a business owner, a mother, and a survivor.

One Saturday afternoon, Nathan took us to the Nashville Zoo.

The air was warm, and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

Rosie ran ahead of us, pointing at the giraffes.

Nathan walked beside me, his hand brushing against mine as we walked.

“Emily,” he said, stopping near a quiet path shaded by oak trees.

I stopped and looked at him.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.

My heart skipped a beat.

“I know we did this backward,” he said, his voice steady but low. “And I know you don’t need a savior anymore.”

“I don’t,” I said, smiling.

“But I want to be your husband,” he said. “The real kind. If you’ll have me.”

He opened the box to reveal a simple, elegant gold band.

It wasn’t the massive, flashing diamond that Grant had once bought to show off his wealth.

It was quiet, strong, and real.