Chapter 20%
Layla didn’t remember the last time she laughed like this–freely, from the heart, without any shadows behind her smile. Zack had just finished mimicking a waiter from their favorite diner with such exaggerated seriousness that even Lucas, standing by the kitchen counter, had cracked a rare grin.”
“Madam,” Zack said in a posh accent, holding up a tray with burnt toast on it, today’s gourmet specialty is pain grillé–a fancy name for ‘I forgot it in the toaster.”
Layla laughed, her hands clutching her stomach. “You’re impossible.”>
“And yet… you adore me,” he said, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead.”
“I might,” she whispered, her cheeks warming.”
They spent the afternoon wandering around Lucas’s gardens, Zack pointing out flower names she knew he was making up on the spot. She didn’t care. He held her hand with such sincerity it almost made her forget everything else.”
Later that evening, Zack insisted she take the evening off from her remote design work.“>
“No work tonight. Just dinner. I made a reservation,” he said, eyes twinkling with mischief.”
Layla arched a brow. “You? A reservation? That’s suspicious.”
“Maybe I’m just trying to impress my favorite girl.“}
“You don’t need to try,” she murmured.”
Still, she let him convince her to slip into a simple but elegant off–shoulder navy dress. Her hair fell in soft waves, and a single silver bracelet dangled from her wrist. Zack, in a crisp black shirt and matching slacks, offered his arm with a wink as they got into the car. She expected a cozy dinner at a seaside bistro.
What she didn’t expect was the candlelit garden waiting for her just outside the cliffside vineyard.”
Dozens of fairy lights wrapped around trees, casting golden glows over the stone path. The ocean shimmered beneath the stars. A soft melody drifted in the background, violins humming something sweet and slow.
“Zack…” she breathed, stunned. “What is this?“>
He didn’t answer right away. Just held her hand and guided her to a spot where flower petals were scattered in a perfect circle. Layla’s heart began to pound.
He turned to face her, those kind eyes soft and a little nervous.
“You once told me,” he said quietly, “that all you wanted was peace. But I want to give you more than peace, Layla. I want to give you a life full of laughter, of safety, of love.“@
Her breath hitched.
He slowly dropped to one knee, pulling a velvet box from his jacket.
“I’m not perfect. But I’ve loved you for a long time. And if you let me… I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that love. Marry me, Layla.“] The world seemed to pause.”
Tears welled in her eyes. The ocean wind curled around her, lifting the hem of her dress. The violins played on.”
Her lips parted, a breathless yes forming on her tongue.
And then-
“No,” a hoarse voice cut through the quiet.
Layla froze.
Zack rose slowly, shoulders tensing.
She turned–and her heart stumbled.
Brent. He looked wrecked!
His cheek was bruised, his posture slumped, but his eyes–those stormy, haunted eyes–were locked onto her with raw desperation. “Don’t say yes,” he said again, louder this time. “Please.“}
