I thought I had chosen Slade.
Chapter 180
O
But looking back now, the person who caught me every time I broke, who stayed through every low… was always Fordy.
He never said “I love you.”
But he stayed up with me when I was sick. He held me when I broke down. And in the gentlest ways, he made sure I never had to be
afraid.”
I thought about it all night. And when the sky finally began to lighten, I made up my mind.”
In the living room, my parents were flipping through my old photo albums.
They looked up when they heard me.”
“You’re up early,” Mom said.
I sniffled and stood before them, my voice calm but firm.
“Mom… Dad… I want a new beginning.””§
Mom paused, and then she nodded. “Alright. Whatever you decide, we’ll support you.”
I looked down, twisting the hem of my shirt between my fingers.
“…. I want your help to plan a wedding… for me and Fordy.“}
They both froze.
“Crawford?” Dad asked, frowning.
“Isn’t he your brother?” Mom echoed.
“He was,” I said, lifting my head to meet their eyes. “But we’re not related by blood. And… things have changed between us.”>
They stared at me in silence.
“I think… deep down, you both always hoped I’d marry him,” I said, voice barely above a whisper. “Mom. Dad. I want to give us a chance. A real one.“!
Dad looked at me, his gaze sharp, like he was searching my face for doubt.
Finally, Mom asked quietly, “Are you sure this isn’t just an impulse? Do you… really love him?”
I nodded, clear and certain.
“He’s been there all these years. He never left. Even when I pushed him away, he stayed. He understands me better than I understand myself. He never pressured me–just waited for me to find my way back.”
“I used to think it was just brotherly love. But I know now… it was never just that.”
My throat tightened. “I want to give him a chance. And I want one, too.”
Dad looked at me for a long moment. Then he said, voice deep and steady, “Alright. Then I’ll hand you over to Crawford.”
I blinked, my eyes instantly welling up.
Dad went on, serious as ever. “He loves you the most. And I trust him the most. Crawford’s not the type to sweet–talk a girl, but he shows it in everything he does. He’ll spoil you, protect you, and love you in all the ways that count.
“We support the wedding. Whatever you want–the place, the guest list–we’ll follow your lead.“§
I nodded, choked up. “I want to keep it simple. By the sea. He told me once he wanted to get married by the ocean–no fancy decorations. just the two of us barefoot in the water, listening to the wind, watching the sunset.”
Mom nodded. “Alright. We’ll make sure you have no regrets this time.”
Just then, soft footsteps came from the kitchen. Fordy walked in with my meds.”
He paused when he saw my red–rimmed eyes.}]
“Are you crying again?” he asked, surprised.
“No,” I said, turning away. “It’s just the wind.”
20
He set the meds down and knelt in front of me, gently wrapping my fingers in his warm hands just like he always did.§
“Did your parents say something?” he asked softly.
I shook my head, meeting his eyes, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I… I told them about the wedding.”
He froze.
“You don’t want to?” I asked, biting my lip, trying to sound casual.
He looked at me for a long time. Then, in a hushed voice, he explained, “I’m just afraid you’re only doing this because you feel pressured.”
“I’m not,” I said, my voice firm. “I want to marry you, Fordy.”
His eyes flickered, like the words had knocked the air out of him.
After a long pause, he rasped, “Alright.”
No one knew how long he’d waited for this moment.
212
11:31 AM
But I did.
