ELLIE
It took me a moment to process his words. Was he serious? A knot formed in my throat, and tears threatened to spill from my eyes. But the idea that he was doing this just because I said I was scared made me choke back the emotion.
“Don’t do this,” I said, my voice trembling, before running away.
“Ellie?” he called after me, but I didn’t stop.
I kept moving down the sidewalk, quickly checking to make sure my dress was in place. A little farther ahead, I paused just long enough to take off my shoes.
“Ellie, wait!” I heard him yell behind me, but I kept running, feeling my bare feet hit the wet pavement.
He couldn’t do this again.
✽
When I reached the hotel, I went straight to our room, ignoring the strange looks at my disheveled state.
I knew Ethan had followed me the entire way back. He could have caught up with me, but he didn’t.
I was grateful because my thoughts and emotions were a complete mess. I needed to think. Alone.
Once in our suite, I headed straight to the bathroom and locked the door, stripping off my soaked clothes before stepping into the shower.
I tried to gather my thoughts as the water cascaded over my body, but I only grew more irritated at the thought that he was doing this just because I said I was scared.
He was doing it again—like when he asked me to move in with him because of his stupid jealousy. Maybe his intentions were good, but the reasons were all wrong.
After what felt like an eternity in the bathroom, I realized no amount of time would help me avoid a confrontation, so I stepped out.
He was sitting on one of the sofas in the room and looked like he had showered too, dressed in a white robe just like me.
I avoided his gaze, heading toward the wardrobe, but he quickly stood and blocked my path.
“‘Don’t do this?’ That’s your response?” he said, clearly struggling to control his irritation.
I took a deep breath, trying to do the same.
“You don’t really want this, and I don’t want you to do it because of me.”
“Is that what you think? You think I’d propose to you if I wasn’t sure? After everything... I’m facing my fucking biggest fear right now.”
“I know, and I don’t want you to do it because of me.”
He sighed in frustration.
“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for me, because I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.”
I felt my eyes fill with tears again. I was scared to believe him.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked, my voice trembling.
“What part of ‘I love you’ do you not fucking understand?”
“I’m sorry. I know how hard this must be for you, and maybe that’s why I can’t believe you really want this.”
“God! You’re impossible! I expected you to say no right now because you think it’s too soon, but this... You ran away.”
“Wait... You were already planning this?”
He closed his eyes and sighed before pulling a small, deep red box from the pocket of his robe.
*Oh my God.*
The tears came harder, blurring my vision. I couldn’t believe it.
“I thought it would be even harder for you to agree to move in with me after that idiot left.”
“So that’s why you seemed disappointed.”
“Look, it’s okay if you say no, but you ran off and left me worried.”
“I thought you only said it because I told you I was scared.”
“No, you know what this proposal means to me, but I hope it means something to you too.”
“You have no idea. I’m trying to believe, but I can’t.”
“Why? Why is it so hard? You already know I love you and can’t imagine my life without you.”
“I’m sorry...” I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. “I really know how hard this must be for you,” I said, and he pulled me against his chest. I buried my face there, relaxing in his arms.
“I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for never giving up on me,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “I should’ve done the same. But I think I’ve only been feeding your insecurities with my silence. I know you wanted to hear more when you asked how I feel now.”
Tilting my chin, he lifted my face to look into his eyes. The brown depths sparkled with sincerity.
“The past doesn’t matter anymore because you’ve shown me I’m still capable of love. You’ve made me understand that I can’t stop being who I am just because someone else failed to appreciate my love. You’re my cure, the purest and most wonderful thing in my life, and that’s why I want to spend the rest of my days with you, love. That’s how I feel. I’m ready for you.”
“I’ve always known you were the perfect bastard for me,” I said, smiling through my tears.
“So, do you accept?”
“Can you say it again?” I teased.
“Okay, let’s do this right,” he said, kneeling, making me laugh.
God! My heart raced, my hands trembled, and deep inside, a little girl who had always dreamed of this day was jumping and laughing with joy.
“Will you marry me, Ellie Brown?” he asked, and my heart felt like it might burst with happiness.
“Yes.” I sniffled. “Of course, I want to.” I extended my trembling hand, and he slid the ring on with its beautiful stone.
I didn’t have time to admire it. I just threw myself into his arms, kissing him.
“But...” I pulled my lips away. “Not now. Maybe in a few months? Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, but on one condition,” he said, biting his lower lip with a mischievous look.
“What?” I arched an eyebrow in amusement.
“We move the honeymoon up, starting right now.”
“Agreed. Where do I sign?”
“I’ll show you,” he said with a wicked grin, guiding me toward the bed behind me. “But first, let me show you where we’ll spend the next few days, future Mrs. Morgan.”
*Mrs. Morgan.*
“I like how that sounds.”
“Oh? You’re going to like what comes next even more.”
Guiding me to the edge of the bed, he made me lie down before climbing on top of me. Reaching for my hands, he pinned them above my head.
I smiled, feeling excitement take over me. I still couldn’t believe he had just proposed to me.
“Is this really happening? Because I’m both happy and scared as hell,” I asked, smiling nervously.
“Oh, believe me, it is. I told you you’d never want to try another ride,” he said.
I laughed at the memory of what he said on our first night together.
“Bastard.”
“But not just any bastard—your bastard.”