Chapter 12
I leaned in, my heart picking up its pace as his words wove their way into me.
“Unfortunately,” Daniel‘ s voice softened, tinged with an almost imperceptible sorrow. By the time I met her, she had already given her heart to someone else- someone who loved her with every ounce of passion and courage he had.”
There was a shift in his tone, a quiet depth to it that made my chest tighten.
“Though I loved her,” he added, his voice. barely whispering, “I truly hoped she would find the happiness she so deeply deserved.”
A lump formed in my throat, and without thinking, I pressed my face into his chest. His arms tightened around me, and he brushed his fingers through my hair, the gentleness of his touch calming the storm inside me. He kissed the tears that had
80% 12:09
1/4
Chapter 12
begun to slip down my cheeks, his lips. warm and tender.
“As for your question,” he continued, his voice now more serious yet still carrying that same tenderness, “I‘ ve thought about
“I’ve it countless times over the past ten years.”
He lowered his gaze to meet mine, his eyes full of sincerity, and for a moment, it felt as if the entire world had narrowed to the quiet space between us.
“If I never marry you in this life,” he said softly, “I will prepare myself to live alone. I’ll focus on my work abroad, yes, but I’ll damn make sure that the man lucky
enough to marry you is given every opportunity. I’ll funnel opportunities and orders his way, making sure that you never want for anything. You‘ ll live a life filled with happiness and freedom.”
At that moment, everything became clear to me. It wasn‘ t that I had some mysterious, magical “good fortune” that made my husband prosper–no, Daniel had
80% 12:09
2/4
Chapter 12
been quietly protecting me all along, every single life, with all his heart.
I looked up at him, my heart full of love and understanding.
“My dear husband,” I whispered, “let‘ st have a child.”
His eyes lit up with warmth and
excitement.
“What?” he asked, almost in disbelief.
I smiled, my heart racing with the thought. “Let’s have a little one. Then, when they grow up, we can design all sorts of little dresses and clothes for them. What do you
think?”
Daniel’s face softened with tenderness, and he nodded gently.
“That sounds perfect,” he said, pulling me closer as if he wanted to hold me forever.
He kissed me then, deeply, passionately. It was a kiss that promised more than just love, one that stretched far beyond here.
80% 12:09
3/4
Chapter 12
and now.
(The End.)
