Rewriting My Heart's Fate

He opened the box in his hand, revealing a dazzling diamond ring that sparkled under the lights.

The entire crowd gasped audibly.

"Evelyn, I can't live without you. If you're willing, please marry me and let me spend a lifetime making up for my past mistakes."

I stared at him in a daze, my mind completely blank. Was this a dream?

Ethan, the man who had always been proud and untouchable, was now proposing to me in front of everyone?

As I looked into his earnest and passionate eyes, my heart raced uncontrollably. He was serious. He truly wanted to spend his life with me.

But after everything we had been through, could I really accept him without any reservations?

"Say yes, Evelyn!"

"Yeah! Mr. Grayson is being so sincere. What are you waiting for?"

Below the stage, Kevin and Lianne, unaware of what had happened in Englenor, started egging me on. The onlookers quickly followed suit.

the makings of a

might seem like a fairy tale to them, to me, it

breath, I finally spoke.

I reached out my trembling hand. He held my hand, his palm warm against mine. I watched as

think I'm ready

the words left my lips,

disbelief written all over his

I'm not rejecting you. I'm just... not ready

a deep

"Ethan, there was a time when I

But after

love is not the entirety of

own. I want to prove my worth with my own efforts. I want to stand tall in my career,

comes, then I'll be ready to stand beside

seemed as though he had never imagined I would have such thoughts. At the same time,

When I've grown strong enough to stand as your equal, I will come