Listening to him reminisce about the past, I was suddenly transported back to the day I received my ultrasound report and found out I was six weeks pregnant. It was years ago, but I felt like it only happened yesterday.
He continued speaking, “I almost lost it when I found out that you privately aborted the child, but thank God Dr. Ludwick said you were alright and that you actually lied to me.” He sighed in fond exasperation before moving on, “You really are a naughty girl, you know that? I didn’t call you out on your lie. I thought that as long as we had a child, you wouldn’t leave and everything would turn out fine. I thought we could live happily as a family, and that’s why I made a decision I’ll never be able to forgive myself for. All these years, I’ve unintentionally hurt you and failed to give you a sense of security. I didn’t love you enough and hurt you more times than I can count. Scarlett, I… Even though I’m not exactly a thoughtful or gentle guy, are you still willing to spend the rest of your life with me?”
Staring at the ring he was holding out in front of me, I pursed my lips. “Ashton, you seriously suck at sweet-talking—even your proposal is so sad and pathetic. You’re lucky I like you, or I wouldn’t be bothered listening to your nonsense.”
The crowd erupted with laughter and Hannah’s teasing voice sounded. “Yeah. You know he’s bad at everything. Yet, he’s the only one you want. Ms. Stovall, just quit the act and say yes to your dear Mr. Fuller!”
Following that, everyone else unanimously urged, “Say yes!”
I studied Ashton in front of me, my lips twitching slightly. “You’re proposing to me with only a ring? What’s worse, this is Hannah and Chandler’s wedding. Are you here to give them your blessing or crash their wedding?”
The crowd burst into laughter again. One of the guests’ children even brought over the flower basket Chandler’s parents weaved, placing it beside Ashton. It was obvious that it was to replace a bouquet of flowers.
Without missing a beat, Ashton took the flower basket. Perhaps he felt that it wasn’t fitting that I carried a flower basket in my hands, he stood to his feet and left the venue. Everyone in the hall was momentarily stunned by his abrupt departure.
Fortunately, he returned several minutes later with a large bouquet of bright red roses in hand. As a handsome and captivating man, he painted an arresting sight while holding a large bouquet of flowers.
He walked to my side, got down on one knee, and gazed at me with passion in his eyes. “Scarlett, I’m an idiot, but you’re the only one that I want in life. I will love you in my own way and also in yours. We still have decades left to live. Are you still willing to continue this decades-long journey hand in hand with this idiot?”
Stifling my smile, I watched this man, who had always been apathetic and stingy with his words, suddenly saying so much in one go. I bet it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to claim that this was probably the most he had said in one breath in his entire life.
“What are you waiting for, Scarlett? Put your hand out for him to slip the ring on!” Hannah impatiently urged beside me. Before I could react, she grabbed my hand and pushed it forward.
The ring, warm from Ashton’s grip, was smoothly slipped onto my finger. Our mini-interlude enlivened the already blissful occasion and everyone applauded to offer us their blessings.
The wedding was very lively and joyous.
Only when the sky darkened did the guests disperse. Hannah tugged on my arm as she tried to persuade me to stay in the suburbs for the night. Although Ashton didn’t say a word, from the way he kept a tight hold on my hand, I could tell that he wasn’t accustomed to living in such conditions.
After politely refusing, Hannah sent me to the door and we chatted briefly. Before leaving, I hesitated slightly and decided to say, “Hannah, John came today. He wanted me to offer you his blessings. He said thank you for taking care of him for so many years and that he was lucky to have known you.”
Hannah looked dazed for a moment and her eyes dimmed slightly. After some time, she replied, “I do resent him, but I have to thank him too. If I didn’t meet him, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’m grateful to him for allowing me to become who I am now. If he hadn’t brought me to K City, perhaps I would’ve lived on the border all my life just like those war-torn women. I’d either be a corpse left in the wilderness or made into an object for man to violate however they liked. Scarlett, thank him for me. I don’t regret meeting him, and I certainly don’t regret falling in love with him. I sincerely hope that in the future, someone can build a warm and beautiful home with him.”
I took in a deep breath and nodded with a smile. “I’ll definitely pass on your blessing to him. You have to live happily too, alright?”
After bidding her farewell, I got into the car and noticed that Joseph was at the wheel. Glancing to my side to look at Ashton, I suddenly felt the palpable changes in our lives.
Without realizing it, we no longer spoke of dreams or hobbies. Instead, it was home, stability, and an ordinary life that we sought.
I wondered if this was what happened when people reached a certain stage in life.
