?Chapter 685:

    Without another word, Cole dropped down on one knee and looked up at her, emotion shining in his eyes. “Elliana, will you marry me?”

    What started as a celebration for her birthday and their anniversary became a moment she never sawing, a heartfelt proposal.

    Elliana was struck speechless, her breath caught somewhere between surprise and disbelief. For a heartbeat—or several—she could do nothing but stare at Cole.

    It wasn’t until Cole’s voice gently prodded her again, “Elliana, will you marry me?” that she finally broke from her daze.

    Joy bloomed across her face like a sunrise breaking through the fog. “I will,” she said, her voice aglow.

    To Cole, those two words rang clearer and sweeter than any symphony. He revealed the diamond ring and slid it onto her finger. Then, he lifted her hand with quiet reverence and kissed its back as though sealing a sacred vow. Rising to his feet, he held out the other ring—its twin. “Now, it’s your turn.”

    With gentle hands, Elliana took the matching band and slipped it onto his finger.

    Theyced their fingers together, palms pressed flush, watching as the diamonds aligned with perfect symmetry—two halves of a single, luminous heart.

    The rings were more than jewelry. They were the physical embodiment of Cole’s unique design, painstakingly crafted to reflect the bond only they could share.

    “Elliana, you’ve etched a mark of love onto our shoulders,” Cole murmured, his voice almost reverent. “These rings… they’re my vow to you. If the worst happens—if I forget you—near this ring,e to me. Tell me our story. Remind me of the promises we made.”

    The fear that clung to him wasn’t just of forgetting—it was of bing someone else entirely. Someone who might look at her and see a stranger. Someone who could hurt her without even knowing why. He needed a tether, something real and unshakable to ground him to the man he was in this moment.

    Elliana gave a soft nod, her voice a gentle promise. “I will.”

    But love alone could not stop time from advancing. And far too soon, the day came—the third and final injection.

    This dose was the most crucial and the most dangerous. It was meant to eradicate the Psychephreniapletely, but the risks were staggering. It was no gentle healing—it was a rebirth through fire, a brutal transformation like a caterpir tearing itself apart to be a butterfly. Cole would be tested, and so would she.

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    Elliana couldn’t face it alone. At first light, she woke Ruben and Jarrett, gathering them in the room. She spoke with unwavering rity,ying out every risk. “Once the injection is given, Cole might go through severe pain, fever, or fall into a deep…

    Sleep. He could experience hallucinations, confusion, or even aggression. For the next few days, someone must be with him at all times. He cannot be left alone—not even briefly.”

    She met their eyes with quiet strength. “I will stay by his side through all of it. You two are family. You deserve to know what’sing. And… I may need your help.”

    Neither man hesitated.

    “Elliana, just tell us what you need,” Ruben said. “We’ll follow your lead.”

    Jarrett nodded with steady resolve. “We’ll do as you say.”

    Relief surged through her chest. Their support wasn’t justforting—it was vital.

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