Chapter 119 A Promise of Forever

Chapter 119 A Promise of Forever

Chloe's POV

I opened my mouth. My voice was slightly hoarse. Still a little unsteady.

"I do."

Lucas rose to his feet. He took my left hand. He slowly slid the ring onto my finger. His movements were deliberate. As if he were completing something he'd been planning for a very long time.

The next second, the living room erupted in cheers.

I threw myself into Lucas's arms. He caught me firmly. He held me tight.

"Congratulations, sweetheart. Congratulations." My mom was the first to step forward. Her eyes brimmed with tears. Full of relief. "I can finally stop worrying. I really can."

She squeezed my hand. Then she turned to Lucas with a smile both gentle and serious. "Now that I'm entrusting Chloe to you, I can truly rest easy."

Desmond walked up to us. A smile was on his face, but his tone was unusually grave. "Lucas, you'd better treat my daughter right. If you ever hurt her, I won't let you off the hook."

Lucas didn't brush him off with empty words. He nodded solemnly. His voice was steady and certain. "You won't ever have that opportunity, sir."

Desmond studied him for a few long seconds. Then he finally raised his hand and clapped him on the shoulder. "You'd better make sure of that."

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. I felt lightheaded the whole time. My heart overflowed with warmth. By the time the party ended, it was already late into the night.

My parents left first. Before she went, Mom hugged me one more time. Dad gave Lucas one last look—full of unspoken warnings.

Luna wrapped me in her arms, congratulating me over and over, saying I was finally, officially part of the family. Layla was the last to leave. She leaned against the doorframe. She winked at me. She whispered with barely suppressed laughter, "Enjoy your engagement night, babe."

My cheeks flushed instantly. I gave her a light shove. "Get out of here already."

The door closed. The house fell silent.

All the noise faded away. Even the air felt soft and tender.

I stood in the middle of the living room. I stared down at the ring on my finger. Everything still felt surreal. Like a dream I couldn't quite believe.

Lucas had already started clearing up quietly. He carried dishes and glasses into the kitchen.

I stepped forward to help. He glanced up at me and raised a hand to stop me.

"You don't need to."

"This is both of our mess. I should help."

"Not tonight." He placed the dishes in the dishwasher. Then he leaned down and kissed my forehead lightly. "Tonight, your only job is to be happy."

I couldn't help but laugh. "What kind of division of labor is that?"

"A perfectly reasonable one," he said matter-of-factly.

I was about to argue. He gently took my wrist and led me toward the bedroom. "Go wait for me in the room."

"Why?"

Lucas's lips curved into a rare, teasing smile. "I still have a gift for you."

My eyes lit up immediately. "Another gift?"

"Mm-hmm."

"What is it?"

"You'll see soon enough."

He never gave spoilers. I knew pressing him wouldn't help. I obediently headed back to the bedroom.

The moment the door closed, I flopped onto the bed. I hugged a pillow and grinned like an idiot for way too long before finally pulling out my phone.

The screen lit up. My WhatsApp was flooded with unread messages from Layla.

[Are you still conscious?]

[Are you staring at your ring and grinning like a fool?]

[Answer me! I'm freaking out over here!]

I curled up on the bed. My fingers flew across the screen. [Layla, I'm really engaged! I still can't believe it! When he got down on one knee, my legs went weak.]

Layla replied almost instantly. [I knew it! Total perfect happy ending!]

I stared at the screen. My smile widened as I typed back. [It really feels like a dream. I've never been this happy before.]

She sent a string of screaming emojis, followed by: [Then stay this happy forever.]

My fingers paused for a moment. I typed back seriously. [I will.]

The message had barely sent when a pair of hands suddenly reached around from behind me. They gently covered my eyes.

My heart jumped. The next second I caught his familiar, cool scent.

"Smiling that much, huh? Who are you texting?" Lucas's voice was right by my ear. Low and warm. Laced with amusement.

I leaned back into his chest, murmuring softly, "I was telling Layla how happy I am. Just got engaged, and there's still a surprise waiting for me."

His chest rumbled faintly with a low chuckle. "Looks like I did a good job keeping it a secret."

"What exactly did you prepare?"

"Come with me."

He didn't take his hand away from my eyes. He guided me with his other hand. Slowly leading me out of the bedroom.

He led me through the living room. Out the back door. Into the yard.

The night air was cool and gentle. Smooth stone was beneath my feet. Soft rustling of leaves in the wind filled my ears.

He stopped. He slowly released his hand. "You can open your eyes now."

I opened them—and froze.

In the center of the yard sat something enormous. Covered by a dust sheet.

I didn't need to look closely at the shape. I recognized it instantly.

My heart pounded. I gasped softly. "A piano?"

Lucas stood behind me. His hand rested gently on my shoulder. His voice was tender. "You said before that you wanted a grand piano at home."

I spun around to face him. My eyes were wide with shock. "When did you arrange this?"

"I've been working on it for a while." His tone was casual. As if he'd only done something small and insignificant. "I remember every wish you've ever mentioned."

My eyes stung instantly. I choked up. I couldn't get the words out. "Lucas, you really…"

The rest of my sentence dissolved into an embrace. I threw my arms around him and kissed him.

He caught me easily. His hand pressed against the small of my back. He returned my kiss gently as his breathing deepened.

When we pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his. My heartbeat was wild and erratic. "I love you so much."

The moment the words left my lips, Lucas chuckled softly. His eyes brimmed with warmth and affection.

My face burned under his gaze. I quickly turned and reached for the dust sheet.

The fabric slid away. A black piano gleamed under the garden lights. The finish was flawless. Smooth as a mirror.

The elegant curve of the lid. The silver pedals catching the light. I stood there in front of it, almost afraid to touch it.

"Try it," Lucas encouraged softly.

I glanced at him. Then I sat down and lifted the lid.

The moment my fingers touched the keys, all the softness in my heart settled. The tone was clean, bright, and beautiful.

I played the Wedding March. Lucas stood quietly beside the piano, watching me. His gaze grew softer, deeper, more tender with every note.

In that moment, I suddenly understood—true happiness has a sound.

---

The days that followed flew by. As if someone had hit fast-forward. Choosing a wedding dress. Taking engagement photos. Finalizing the venue. Everything moved forward smoothly and steadily.

On the day of the wedding, the church pews were packed. My parents, Layla, Luna, Selwyn—everyone who had walked this journey with us was there.

The organ began to play. I stood at the entrance of the church. My palms were slightly damp. A flutter of nerves in my chest.

Desmond gently took my arm and asked quietly, "Nervous?"

"A little."

"That's normal." He patted my hand gently. His eyes were full of warmth. "My girl, you look absolutely beautiful today."

I took a deep breath. I looked down the aisle.

Lucas stood at the altar in a sharp black suit. His shoulders were straight. His gaze cut through the entire aisle and landed squarely on me. Focused. Devoted. Unwavering.

There were countless guests around us. But from beginning to end, my eyes saw only him.

I walked slowly forward on Desmond's arm. Each step was light and gentle. As if I were walking on clouds.

When we reached the altar, he solemnly placed my hand into Lucas's palm.

"Take good care of her," Desmond said. His tone was serious.

Lucas held my hand tightly. His voice was steady. "I will."

The pastor's warm, solemn voice echoed through the church.

Throughout the vows, my gaze stayed fixed on Lucas. I didn't look away for a second.

"Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in riches and in poverty, through good times and bad, till death do you part?"

Lucas looked deep into my eyes. His voice was low, clear, and unshakable. "I will."

When it was my turn to speak, my nose stung faintly with emotion. I lifted a bright smile. I stared straight into his eyes earnestly. "I will."

For all my life. Always.

Author's Note:

First of all, thank you all so much for your ongoing support and encouragement — it means the world to me. I'm sorry to say that I won't be able to keep updating for the time being. 

Due to personal matters that require my full attention, I have to put this story on indefinite hiatus. This will be where we leave off. This was not an easy decision to make, and I hate to leave you all hanging, but I hope you can understand. 

Thank you again for reading. Love you all.