Chapter 170
The scene surrounding me was so unbelievably dreamy that I felt a bit disoriented.
I looked across the path and met Aaron’s blue eyes. The edges of his eyes were wrinkled in a smile, with his gaze filled to the brim with his love for me. My breathing stopped and my mind started racing like crazy. What was he about to do?
He wore a suit with leather shoes. The path in front of me was covered with flower petals, and I was wearing equally elegant attire… was this an elaborate marriage proposal?
Looking back, Aaron talked about our future together every now and then, dreaming about what it would be like. My heartbeat sped up. I almost wanted to run away.
But I couldn’t get my legs to move. I could only stand there, totally helpless, as Aaron took confident strides toward me.
As Aaron approached, I could see his expression clearer. I saw his tight lips curled in a smile, but I could see a hint of fear in his eyes at the thought of being rejected.
I instinctively took a step back.
My heart was beating as loud as a drum. I knew that Aaron wanted a future with me, but I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to give him everything he wanted.
I just wanted a happy relationship with him-I didn’t want a marriage. That would feel like walking into a tomb.
The reason I was so scared of marriage was my parents. My parents were rude, antisocial people, and seemed to hate everyone else. They hit a rough patch in their marriage when I was born. I was dropped off at a boarding school when I was three, and I could count on two hands the number of times I’d seen them
growing up.
I wasn’t used to the warmth and happiness of a family, so I had no idea how to be a good wife.
I had visited Vincent’s house before. He came from a large, loving family with doting parents, which was the complete opposite of my family. From then on, I fantasized about being part of a close and lively family, but that didn’t mean I could create that family on my
own.
I was afraid of marriage. My childhood, with all its pain and shadows, would stay with me for the rest of my life. I didn’t feel like I could handle marriage.
“Olive.” Aaron had reached me. He stood in front of me, gazing at me tenderly. That tenderness just made me feel even more scared.
I wanted to run away. I pursed my lips as I looked at Aaron with confusion. I tried to form words, but all that came out was a small squeak.
I chanted frantically in the back of my mind, don’t say it, don’t say
it!
I didn’t want there to be any resentment between us, but I knew that if he said what he planned to say, a rift would open up.
But Aaron was deaf to the prayer in my heart. As I stared at him in complete panic, he got down on one knee.
He straightened his back, handed me the beautiful bouquet of roses, and took a ring out of his coat pocket. He held my right hand in his. “Olive. I know this is a bit sudden, and I’m sure this whole thing looks really impulsive to you, but I’ve been planning this for a very long time. I was so excited and nervous and scared
all last night thinking about this. You know I love you, but what I haven’t made clear enough is that I love only you, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life.” He took a deep breath, “Olive, will you marry me? Will you make a family with me?”
His eyes were full of passion, but I could sense his nervousness from his slightly trembling hands. My body instantly tensed up, and my mind couldn’t form a response.
Frankly, I never dreamed of my future with Aaron, and the thought of him proposing today never crossed my mind.