I Cleaned His Fridge For Three Years For Nothing Chapter 10

I Cleaned His Fridge For Three Years For Nothing Chapter 10

The next spring, Wynn & Hale Vintage Atelier landed a major renovation contract for the Oakwood

Abandoned Homestead.

The client required us to preserve all original oak support beams and weathered window frames.

Rhys and I drove out to the empty farmstead together to survey the space.

Weeds grew thick all over the courtyard grounds, the house long abandoned and neglected.

He stood under the old front porch, studying how sunlight filtered through the rafters.

“This corner would make a perfect reading nook.”

“A long oak table by the window-sunlight will cover the whole surface every afternoon.”

We spoke the exact same sentence at the same time, then laughed together.

Marnie always said Rhys and I shared one core belief: every worn, forgotten old object still held

potential for a new life.

The only difference was Rhys knew how to wait patiently for good things to unfold.

Once the full renovation wrapped up, the homeowners invited us to stay for a celebratory dinner.

A plate of fresh vanilla strawberries sat on the dining table, and I picked one up between my fingers.

Instantly, my mind flashed back to that ruined carton of strawberries abandoned on Kai’s kitchen

counter all those years ago.

Rhys noticed my distant expression and leaned over to ask.

“Not sweet enough?”

I bit into the ripe fruit, juice sweet on my tongue.

“It’s perfect.”

That evening after dinner, Rhys drove me down to the shore of Cedar Lake.

The wind blew hard off the water, and he broke into a short coughing fit before waving off my

concern.

“I’m truly fine-Dr. Mercer said all my recent test results look fantastic.”

1 fixed him with a pointed stare. “You’d better be telling the truth.”

Out of nowhere, Rhys pulled a handmade ring from his jacket pocket.

It was crafted from walnut wood inlaid with thin silver wire, the tiny engraved word Sage carved

deep into the inner band.

“Sage, my heart will never fully heal, and I might not be able to hike miles of steep mountain trails beside you. I can’t promise I’ll never make you worry about my health again.”

“But I can swear to always listen to every single thing you want to say. Every dream you chase, I’l stand firmly beside you, no hesitation.”

“You don’t have to become sharper, more mature, or hide every hurt to please anyone. All you ever

need to do is just be yourself.”

I stared at the wooden ring, my vision blurring with happy tears.

“Rhys-are you proposing to me right now?”

He hesitated for half a second.

“If this handmade piece feels too plain, I can arrange a proper formal proposal tomorrow.”

“We’ll get fresh wildflowers, soft background music, Marnie’s already volunteered to be our

witness.”

I stretched my hand out toward him.

“Don’t make Marnie’s preparations go to waste-we can redo the whole grand gesture tomorrow.”

He slid the ring onto my finger, then bent down to press a gentle kiss to my knuckles.

Our intimate Western backyard wedding was tiny and quiet.

My parents flew out to Willowspire, and Marnie sat in the front row holding a bouquet of small

white wildflowers for me.

Clara sent the vintage silver engraved bracelet via a courier service, tucked inside a small gift box with a handwritten note.

[May you always be cherished fully, every single day of your life.]

I kept the bracelet stored safely away, never putting it on my wrist.

I didn’t reject her kindness, but that chapter of my life was closed for good.

Minutes before the ceremony began, a text popped up on my phone from an unknown number.

[Congratulations on your wedding.]

No name attached, yet I knew exactly who’d sent it.

I thought it over briefly, then typed two simple words in reply.

[Thank you.]

Back in Havenbrook, Kai sat alone at his office desk staring at the lit phone screen, watching the message fade to black.

The faded college lab photograph still sat on his desk.

Young Sage stood in the background, glue smudged on her palms, her eyes full of nothing but adoration for him.

He’d once held that fiery, unselfish, all-consuming love in his hands-and thrown it away without a second thought.

Elara pushed open his office door and set a nonprofit historic farm restoration project blueprint on

his desk.

“Sign off on this, Director Voss.”

Kai locked his phone and glanced up at her.

“How have you been lately?”

Elara thought about it for a beat.

“Alright.”

Kai nodded. “I won’t keep you any longer.”

Bright spring sunlight poured through his office windows.

But some springs only arrive once-and once they slip away, they’re gone forever.

Back in Willowspire, Rhys laced his fingers through mine as we walked beneath a blooming flower trellis.

My parents wiped happy tears from their faces in the audience seats.

Marnie called out from the sidelines, laughing. “Slow down, watch your wedding dress train!”

I glanced back at all the people who loved me unconditionally, then turned to meet Rhys’s soft gaze beside me.

His palm stayed warm wrapped around mine, and he whispered quietly.

“Nervous?”

“A little bit.”

“Hold onto me tight then.”

I squeezed his hand without letting go.

Lake wind carried flower petals down to settle across my shoulders.

It felt like the version of myself I’d lost years ago had finally wandered through every crowd and found its way back to me at last.

Once the ceremony finished, Rhys led me back to our vintage studio.

A brand-new hand-carved oak sign hung above the front door, mounted while I’d been busy with wedding preparations.

[Sage’s Vintage & Patisserie]

I stared at it in stunned surprise, and Rhys scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

“You mentioned wanting a small dessert counter ages ago. Marnie and I secretly built it together while you were busy planning the wedding.”

A brand-new full-size refrigerator sat in the corner of the shop space.

I got to design every shelf’s purpose myself.

The left side reserved for fresh seasonal fruit.

The middle stocked with cream, butter, and baking supplies.

The bottom cranny sat empty, waiting.

Rhys wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin lightly on my shoulder.

“What should we fill this empty spot with?”

I stared at the blank shelf for a long moment before smiling wide.

“Strawberries.”

He held me tighter against his chest.

“Perfect. There will always be a permanent spot saved just for you.”

Willowspire’s soft spring night air drifted through the open shop doors, thick with wild flower scent, warm lamplight, and the distant quiet lapping of Cedar Lake’s waves.

My lover stood behind me, my own shop and studio stretched out in front of me.

I never again needed to chase after someone’s approval to claim a tiny space in their life.

I’d never again have to fight for a tiny leftover spot in someone’s life.

This whole bright, gentle season-and every good thing in it-was entirely mine to cherish, no

compromises required.