Chapter 188 I Wanted to Surprise You

Chapter 188 I Wanted to Surprise You
Jane's POV

As we drove out of Jacob's neighborhood, night had completely settled in.

I leaned back in the passenger seat, my gaze fixed on the road stretching ahead, the pavement illuminated by our headlights.

Yet I couldn't shake a lingering uncertainty, and found myself speaking softly, "I wonder if what we did today was right. After all... the connection between us and Jacob comes from such heavy history. But I just couldn't stand by and watch him die. If something had really happened to him, I would've carried that guilt for the rest of my life."

The car fell quiet for a few seconds, filled only with the gentle hum of the engine. David gradually slowed down, glancing over at me with eyes full of tender understanding.

He freed one hand to gently cover mine, his fingertips' warmth spreading through my palm, steadying my turbulent thoughts.

"It's okay, Jane," his voice was soft but carried convincing strength. "What you thought and did was completely natural. I would've done the same thing—I couldn't just watch a life slip away either."

He paused, tightening his grip on my hand, his tone becoming more serious and appreciative. "Actually, I've always admired you, you know? Growing up in such a cold household, then going through everything about your mother's truth, all that suffering from the past—most people would've been consumed by resentment by now. But not you. You've kept that gentle kindness, you're still willing to forgive and accept others. That clarity and tenderness—that's what truly makes my heart race, more than ever before."

Warmth flooded through me as I turned to look at David. He was focused on the road ahead, his profile particularly soft under the streetlights. Thinking back to earlier at Jacob's house—how he'd unhesitatingly grabbed the knife, then quietly sat with us through our conversation—I felt a surge of gratitude. Thank God, through all this long and twisted history, he'd been by my side.

"Sometimes I get scared," I said quietly, "scared that I'm being too naive, that people will see forgiveness as weakness. But when I saw Jacob smiling at the end, talking about cooking for us, I felt like... maybe it was all worth it."

"That's not weakness, it's courage," David turned to smile at me, his eyes full of affection. "Being able to choose kindness after seeing life's complexity—that's the rarest kind of bravery. And look, because of your choice, Jacob found a reason to live again. Isn't that the best possible outcome?"

There might still be troubles from the past ahead of us, but as long as he was beside me, as long as I could keep this kindness in my heart, we'd be able to keep moving forward, transforming all that heavy history into warm memories.

I gently squeezed David's hand back, a smile tugging at my lips. "You're right. Let's visit Jacob often from now on, listen to more of his stories, and let him know he's not alone anymore."

David nodded, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Absolutely. Whatever you want."

Morning light was just beginning to filter through the curtain gaps when I was still nestled in the soft bedding, half-asleep, being gently shaken awake by a warm hand on my arm.

"Time to get up, Jane." David's voice carried that distinctive morning raspiness but was full of excitement, not forceful but leaving no room for lingering in bed.

I drowsily opened my eyes, sleepiness still clinging to my lashes, looking up at his face leaning over me—his tousled hair caught the morning light like pale gold, his eyes bright and sparkling like they held stars.

"Why so early?" I mumbled, rolling over to bury my face in the pillow, my voice muffled. "We talked so late last night. Can't I sleep another half hour?"

"Nope." He laughed, pinching my cheek gently, his fingertips cool against my skin. "You need to get up and do your makeup first. Once you're ready, I'll tell you what we're doing. Trust me, it's definitely something you'll love." His tone was full of mystery but carried an irresistible tenderness, like he was coaxing a pouting child.

I couldn't resist him, so I reluctantly sat up, rubbing my eyes and looking at the barely contained smile in his expression, my mind full of questions—what was he up to with all this secrecy?

But seeing the anticipation in his eyes, I couldn't help but be curious, so I resignedly threw off the covers and headed to the bathroom.

While doing my makeup, I kept wondering about possible destinations. the pastry shop we'd passed last time? The suburban park he'd mentioned? My fingers moved slower as I applied eyeshadow, occasionally glancing through the mirror at David sitting on the bedroom sofa—he was looking down at his phone, but his lips were constantly curved in a slight smile, even his fingertips tapping the screen had a cheerful rhythm.

When I finally finished my light makeup and came out wearing a pale-colored sundress, David's eyes lit up. He quickly walked over and naturally took my hand.

"Ready? Let's go." His palm was warm, gripping mine with just the right pressure, carrying a reassuring strength.

As we drove out of our neighborhood, I kept asking questions the whole way, but he just smiled and deflected, pointing out an early-rising dog on the sidewalk one moment, saying the clouds looked like cotton candy the next, keeping my curiosity hanging high.

It wasn't until we gradually approached downtown and familiar building silhouettes came into view—that white City Hall, looking especially dignified in the morning light—that I suddenly froze, turning to look at David with disbelief in my eyes.

"You... why did you bring me here?" My voice was trembling slightly, my heartbeat suddenly accelerating, fingertips growing warm. Watching the smile in his eyes grow deeper, a corner of my heart suddenly surged with excitement mixed with panicked disbelief.

David parked the car and unbuckled his seatbelt, turning to face me, his hands gently gripping my shoulders, his gaze serious yet tender. "Jane, I know we agreed to take our time planning the wedding, but yesterday when you told Jacob you wanted him at our wedding, I suddenly didn't want to wait anymore."

He paused, his voice full of sincerity. "I want to marry you sooner, I want everyone to know you're my wife, I want to wake up every day and see you beside me. So today, I want to bring you here. Let's get our marriage license first, okay?"

His words flowed through me like warm honey, instantly spreading throughout my body. Looking at the seriousness and anticipation in his eyes, tears welled up without warning—not from sadness, but from overwhelming happiness. So this was what all his morning mystery was about—giving me this kind of surprise. Not a grand ceremony, but the most genuine promise.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I said through my tears, but couldn't help laughing, reaching out to playfully hit him. "I was making wild guesses the whole time, so nervous my heart was racing."

"I wanted to surprise you." He laughed, helping wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes, his fingertips gently brushing across my cheek. "So, are you willing? Will you go in there with me right now and become my wife?"

I nodded vigorously, my voice thick with tears but absolutely certain. "I do."

It turned out the best future was never some unreachable fantasy, but this—in the morning light, with unexpected surprises and genuine promises from the person beside you, walking step by step toward our own happiness.