A slap met Lake’s cheek as Coco broke down.“You think this is a joke? Did you want me to die of a heart attack? You scared me, Lake.”All the fears from before scurried through her mind again.He must have gone to the extreme to propose to her, but she felt rather scared of if it had been real.“I’m so sorry. After getting everything ready, I couldn’t think of anything else to make it different and remembered when I saw something like this in a movie.After talking to Ezrah about it, he helped me organize the people. I just intended to surprise you.”Coco was so touched by the man kneeling in front of her. Though he had not said it with words, his love for her was pure and unadulterated.Knowing the difference between a genuine and toxic relationship, she would be damned before she lets him slip from her fingers like that.“Yes, I will marry you, but don’t give me a heart attack next time.”Lake sighed with relief, rose to his feet, took the ring from her, and slipped it onto her fin
“Whatever you want to discuss, let’s do it here in the car. I would not go anywhere with you,” Michelle took her stand.Had she known that Ezrah picking up Coco on behalf of Lake was to help with a grand proposal, she would not have followed them and would not have ended up in this mess.All she wanted was to make sure that her best friend was fine, not expecting to end up alone with her ex-husband.Ezrah was saddened that his surprise was ruined, but at least he got to talk to her.Also, he considered his ruined surprise as part of the punishment for the number of times she waited, just for him to not show up.“I will be honest with you, Zora. I want you back. Let’s get married again.”Michelle laughed bitterly. The first time was just like this. “Let’s get married. We can divorce when the news about the scandal dies down.”By then, Michelle was so in love with him that she did not hope for a divorce, which happened eventually.“You are mad, Ezrah. If that is your reason for sending
Michelle clapped mockingly, and Ezrah felt embarrassed. She seemed like a thick shell, preventing his words from taking root inside her.“I would rather die than go on a date with you, and as for sleeping at my house, you are welcome only if you are comfortable sleeping at the gate.”Ezrah was shocked. When she dressed his wounds, he thought she cared, but it seemed to be the direct opposite. Was she acting?“Ezrah, there is nothing you can do to make me love you again,” Michelle spoke with a bitter expression, draining the color from Ezrah’s face.“I faced your negligence even in the office when you treated me like just a regular employee,” she reminded him, adding,“I faced loneliness when I got home, waiting for you to come back when we both worked in the same company. You only had Piper on your mind.”Michelle was getting more and more agitated at the remembrance of everything.“Ezrah, when I was cold at night, I faced it alone with the duvets and heater. You weren’t there.”Ezrah’
Ezrah could not miss this chance, speaking hopefully. “I will do anything, just mention it.” Michelle forced a smile, knowing he misunderstood, and began to explain it slowly to him. “Ezrah, Zora died the moment her unborn child died.” Ezrah smiled bitterly, half guessing what she was up to. Yet, he listened intently to her demand. “Our unborn child died untimely. If not for Piper, I would have been a mother. If you can bring my dead child back, then you can have me, Michelle. Until then, unlock this door if you won’t take me home.” Ezrah had thought about that part, but he knew his suggestion would upset her at this moment. No longer wanting to keep her for so long from her home, fire returned to the ignition, and he stepped on the accelerator. Michelle sighed with relief that her trick worked, and he was driving in the direction of her home. She felt that the understanding of how impossible it was for them to get back together finally sank in, but how wrong she was. Ezrah ar
“Zora, I thought you were sleeping. What are you doing here?'Did you come from outside?” Her mother questioned with worry. Then she noticed her reddened eyes. “Have you been crying? What happened?” He led Michelle to the sofa, not happy about her condition. Michelle had not shown any sign of weakness ever since her return, so this was strange to her mother. “It’s nothing, Mom. I’m fine. Please have a good night.” She was about to stand, but her mother pressed her hand on her thigh, forcing her to remain in her position.“I know you, Zora. What is the problem? Is it Ezrah? I hope you are not going to leave again.”After reuniting after almost three years, she could not bear to be away from her daughter again.“My life is in Los Angeles, but even there, Rush would trouble me. I would find somewhere else,” Michelle revealed. Her mother was unamused. “Michelle, the Ezrah you told us about seemed different from the one we saw after you left, especially when he came to claim your fake c
Coco was confused. It was understandable that she had just met Lake, but he seemed strange.“If that’s not what you wanted, then why did you ask me to spend the night?”Lake wasn't surprised by her misunderstanding and quickly explained his request to her.“That’s because I want to get to know you, but let me wear the mask for you.”Coco felt more at ease knowing they wouldn't go all the way, allowing him to wear the eye mask for her.Expecting to be led to the room, she felt light in Lake’s strong arms as he carried her bridal style.This wasn't the first time he had carried her like that, but it felt different because she wasn't afraid like the first time.He gently allowed her legs to touch the floor before removing the eye mask.“It’s dark,” Coco pointed out. Lake smiled and asked her,“True. But first, tell me what you expect to see.”Coco chuckled, staring at him through the darkness as she began to think about her expectations of him at a time like this.“Well, I expect to see
Lake was not offended by her questions stabbing her insecurities and asked, “Can I kiss you?”Coco was dumbfounded. He did not ask her the first time but was asking the second time. Not receiving an answer, Lake took her lips deliciously, causing all her hibernated cells to wake up once more. Pulling away with Coco staring dreamily at him, he asked her,“Do you think I’m playing you or something? If it’s too hard for you to accept that I loved you from the moment I set eyes on you, then let’s get married.” Rendered speechless, Coco’s eyes blurred with joyful tears. It was not what she thought it was. Lake was the real deal but she had her fears. What if he later used her past against her? Recalling how she allowed River to use her before, she felt inferior. “You know about my past toxic relationship.” Lake smiled bitterly. It ached his heart when he remembered that day in the restroom stall.“That only happened because I didn’t meet you early enough. Rose, I know that you don’t
“I’ve had two abortions, and my womb is damaged. I can understand if you want your ring back.”Coco’s gaze lowered after she finished speaking those words, unable to hold Lake’s gaze. The man was indeed stunned and asked,“Were the two abortions all for the scumbag?”Coco lifted her gaze, her teary eyes meeting his, as she caught him gulp down the wine in one go. It was clear that the man was hurting.“I’m afraid so. He was the only man in my life, and sadly, I can’t give you children.”There was a thick silence in the atmosphere, and the sound of the LED screen became annoying.Lake gulped down another glass of wine before he spoke. “Honestly, I love kids, so if I can’t have them with you, would it be okay for us to adopt?”Coco froze. She expected him to break up with her since he seemed like a man who loved children.Lake sure had a lot of love to give, and was he giving it all up just for her? Coco was now in doubt if his feelings were genuine or if he had ulterior motives.“Are y