Chapter 8 The Proposal
Olivia’s Pov
The sun was soft and golden when I woke up the next morning.
I sat up slowly, breathing in the quiet air of my room.
“I need some fresh air, 1 said to myself
When I got downstairs, Cynthia was already waiting. Her arms were crossed tightly, worry all over her face! “Where are you going?” she asked.!
“I just want to take a short walk at the park,” I said, grabbing my sweater!!
“You’re not fully healed, Olivia. Please don’t push yourself.
I smiled lightly. “Tll be fine, Cynthia. I promise,“1⁄2
She hesitated, then gave a small nod. “Be careful.”
I stepped out, feeling the cool breeze brush against my skin.
It felt good to just breathe without thinking about Richard, my father, or the rereading of the will later today!
As I walked, I saw a man sitting on the ground with a little girl.
They were sharing a small bag of crackers, laughing together.
Their clothes were wom and dusty, but the joy on their faces was pure.
I stopped, just watching them.
The little girl noticed me and waved her tiny hand!!
“Hi!” she chirped.
I smiled and walked closer. “Hello. Can I join you?”
The man looked surprised, but he scooted over, making space.
“Of course,” he said, handing me a cracker.
I sat down carefully. “Are you her father?
The little girl giggled. “No! He’s my friend. He found me two nights ago.”
I blinked. “Found you?”
“Yeah,” she said. Tm three. My mama had a new baby and said I was bad luck. She told me to leave.” My heart cracked a little at her words. “What’s your name, sweetie?“!
“Rose!” she beamed.
I turned to the man. “And you?
a why an
are you out here?“)
He hesitated, his eyes dropping to the ground.
“It’s okay.” I said softly. “You don’t have to tell me.”
He gave a small, grateful nod.}
Tm Olivia Bellaire, I said.
“Chase,” he replied quietly.
I looked at them, an idea forming in my mind–crazy, reckless, but maybe it was fate !
“I have a strange offer, I said. “Will you hear me out?“?
They both looked at me curiously.
“I need to get married to you. Today,” I said, “If I don’t, I lose everything my father left me.“} Chase blinked. “Mamed? To me?“:
I nodded. “Yes. I’ll pay you. You and Rose will have a
He opened his mouth, then closed it. “Why me?“%
warm h
home, food, clothes, everything you need.”
“You were kind to Rose when nobody else was. That’s enough for me.”
Chase turned to Rose. “What do you think, kiddo?“)
Rose’s eyes lit up. “Will there be lots of food?”
I chuckled. “Anything you want.“2
Che gasped and clasped a hand over her mouth, “Anything?”
I nodded, “All you need is to name it“!!
“Will there be lots of toys?” she asked me
I chuckled. “Of course, Rose, III buy you the latest toys“)
“You aren’t going to kick me out when you have your own child, right?” Rose asked sadly!!
I felt a small pain stab my heart as the doctor’s words of not being able to have a child resounded in my mind.
I smiled and ruffled her hair. “You have my word, Rose, you’re going to remain my daughter”
She clapped her hands. “I want to go!”
Chase laughed under his breath. “Well, there’s your answer“}}
“Thank you,” I said, feeling the first real hope I’d had in days.
We quickly made our way to the courthouse.
The clerk raised an eyebrow when he saw us, but I didn’t care.
I filled out the forms, paid the fees, and within an hour, Chase and I were legally married.
“Mrs. Bellaire, the clerk sold, handing me the certificate.
I stared at the paper for a second. It felt surreal.
Then we handled Rose’s adoption papers.
She proudly told the judge that she wanted to live with me and Chase.
When everything was done, we stepped outside.
I looked at my new little family–so unexpected, so imperfect–and smiled.X
“Ready to see your new home?” I asked.
Rose jumped up and down. Chase just shrugged with a small smile.
We drove back to the mansion. Cynthia was waiting by the front door.
When she saw me, her eyes widened. When she saw Chase and Rose… her mouth dropped open.
I walked up the steps, holding Rose’s tiny hand.
“Cynthia,” I said, “meet Chase, my husband… and Rose, our daughter.”
Cynthia’s eyes flicked from Chase’s torn shirt to Rose’s messy hair. She opened her mouth but no words came out.
