Caroline’s P.O.V
Tears welled in my eyes, my chest aching with the force of my emotions. A thousand thoughts rushed through my mind, but only one mattered.
“Yes,” I choked out, my voice trembling, my entire body shaking with disbelief and sheer, overwhelming joy. “Yes, Damien. Yes!”
The room erupted into cheers, applause, laughter—but all I felt was him as he slipped the ring onto my finger, as he stood and pulled me into his arms, his lips finding mine in a kiss that sealed everything. My dream, my hope, my forever—it was all standing right in front of me. And I had never been happier.
I clung to Damien, my fingers digging into the fabric of his suit as if letting go would make this moment disappear. My throat burned, my eyes stung, and I hated how vulnerable I sounded, but I couldn't help it. "I thought you didn’t want to get married anymore," I whispered, my voice trembling under the weight of my fears. I had spent weeks convincing myself that I was overthinking, that the distance between us wasn’t real, but deep down, the doubts had gnawed at me, and now they poured out like a dam finally breaking.
Damien pulled back just enough to cup my face, his deep, piercing eyes searching mine as if he needed me to understand. "Caroline," he murmured, his voice rich with something that made my heart clench. "I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted us to be perfect. And what’s better than this moment?" His thumb brushed away the tear that had slipped down my cheek, and I hated how easily he unraveled me. "Did you really think I wouldn’t go through with it?" he asked, his tone softer now, almost wounded.
I swallowed hard, ashamed of the answer. "You were so distant," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I kept telling myself that I was imagining things, but then you started missing dinners, avoiding wedding discussions, and I—I didn’t know what to think anymore." My chest tightened as I forced myself to continue. "I thought maybe you were regretting it. That you were trying to find a way out but didn’t know how to tell me."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he was angry, but then he exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "God, Caroline." His hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer as if the mere thought of distance between us pained him. "I wasn’t pulling away because I didn’t want this. I was making sure nothing could ruin it." His fingers gripped me like he was terrified I’d slip away, and it made my breath hitch. "You think I don’t want to marry you? I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire damn life."
I bit my lip, my chest rising and falling too fast as I tried to process his words. The rational part of me knew I should have trusted him, but the fear had been louder. "Then why didn’t you just tell me?" I asked, my voice breaking. "Why let me think—"
"Because I wanted to surprise you," he cut in, his frustration mixing with something desperate.
"Because I thought if I made everything perfect, you’d have no doubt in your mind that I love you, that I choose you every damn time." His hands tightened around me, his forehead dropping to mine as his breath mingled with mine. "I was planning something, Caroline. Something big. And I didn’t want to risk ruining it by saying too much too soon."
I let out a shaky breath, my heart thundering in my chest. I wanted to be angry that he hadn’t just told me, but how could I be when his every word was dripping with love, with devotion? When had I become so afraid that I forgot who he was, who we were? I closed my eyes, allowing myself to sink into the warmth of him, the strength of his embrace. "I was so scared," I admitted, barely audible. "I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you."
His hands slid up my back, one tangling in my hair as he let out a low curse. "You’re never losing me," he promised fiercely. "Not now. Not ever. Do you understand me?"
I nodded, my lips trembling as I breathed him in. "Okay," I whispered, my fingers fisting the lapels of his jacket. "Okay."
His lips found mine, slow and consuming, sealing the promise between us, and in that moment, every doubt, every fear, melted away.