Araceli POV
Micah suddenly runs toward the door and comes out with a bunch of gift boxes.
He gave Valeria a doll of the latest model.
"Micah, you got a gift for Valeria, not Krish?"
Raphael asks calmly.
Micah nodded. "Of course I got gifts for everyone."
He placed the bunny doll in Valeria's hand, then pulled a box out of his book bag and walked over in Krish's direction.
"This is a gift for you."
Micah opened the box.
It was a Rubik's Cube.
He handed the cube over. "If you don't know how, I can teach you."
Krish took the Rubik's Cube, played with it for a moment, raised his eyes, and said, "Thanks, I like it."
Micah said calmly, then pulled another stack out of his book bag.
"Mommy, this is my gift to you."
I froze.
My heart suddenly overflowed with emotion and my voice became softer.
"Micah, thank you."
I flipped the document in my hand over and froze.
It was actually the share transfer letter of Eclipse Group. This share transfer letter was for forty percent of the shares.
As long as I signed on this, I would be the absolute leader of Eclipse Group from now on.
I did not expect that Micah would actually give me such a gift.
"Micah, thank you."
"Let's play puzzles together!"
Essel said excitedly as he took Krish and Valeria's hands.
The house buzzed with activity.
The four kids were playing in the living room. I tied on my apron and went into the kitchen.
Raphael followed me into the kitchen. With a wave of his hand, he shooed all the cooks out of the kitchen. Only the two of them were left in the small space.
Maybe it was because the heat was on in the house or maybe the temperature in the kitchen was too high, my heart inexplicably tightened up.
I tried to keep my composure and calmly said, "Can you peel the green beans for me?"
Raphael withdrew his gaze. "Good."
I was cutting potatoes and accidentally cutting my finger.
Blood oozed out.
Raphael's face is full of worry. "Does it hurt?"
"I'm fine."
Suddenly, a large, coarse hand held my fingertip. "I'll put a hemostatic patch on you."
I hastily pulled my own hand out, but didn't break free, saying, "There's really no need."
He held my hand, stepped forward, and looked down into my eyes. His head lowered little by little.
My mind suddenly went blank.
I had some idea what Raphael was going to do, but my conscious mind told me I should duck.
I just watched as Raphael's face got closer and closer...
"Araceli, will you marry me?"
He looked up at me, his voice low and gentle. He took out a box and opened it, revealing a sparkling diamond ring.
If there were no surprises, the proposal he had prepared would be perfect.
My heart felt like it was wrapped in the softest of things.
A scene from the past surfaced before my eyes.
Since meeting this man, my life indeed changed.
The smiles on Krish's and Valeria's faces have also increased.
Maybe, I could really give it a try. Maybe I can try to accept Raphael and create a family with him and live happily ever after...
I felt the corners of my eyes moisten a little.
I looked down and took a breath, lifting my face. "Mr. Lancaster, we've only known each other for a few months? You want me to marry you so soon. Don't you think it's too soon?"
His gaze floated with genuine emotion as he said slowly, "Araceli, you know, I especially regretted last night. I regret not confessing to you earlier, not being with you earlier. Life is so short, I really don't want to wait any longer.Araceli, marry me."
He hugged me and murmured in my ear.
His voice was like electricity leaping into my heart. I was even a little unsteady on my feet.
I pushed down the fluttering in my heart and froze, my head going blank.
I took a deep breath, tilted my head gently, untied my apron, and said slowly, "Mr. Lancaster, I need to think about it."
Raphael looks at the side of my face and releases me.
We finish our meal and I take the kids home.
I knelt down, took Krish's small hand, and whispered, "Krish, I need to tell you something."
Krish looked up. "Mommy, go ahead. I'm listening."
"I..."
I opened my lips and spoke slowly, "Your daddy asked me to marry him."
Krish froze, and before he could react to what that meant, Valeria jumped for joy.
"Mommy, is it true what you said?"
I nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes. We will live happily ever after and never be apart again."
Raphael and I were separated for four years. It was time for the motherly and fatherly love the children had been missing .
I turned my head to Krish.
I raised my hand and whispered, "Krish, what are you worried about?"
Krish held my hand, pursed his lips, and said, "I just want to know, Mommy, did you say yes to Raphael's proposal for the sake of our four children, or because you really liked him?"
Valeria blinked her big eyes in confusion.
Krish fell silent.
I stroked Krish's soft hair and said in a soft but firm voice, "Krish, if it was about finding a stepfather for you guys, I would have found a random man to marry long ago. I really do love your daddy. I am willing to give myself to him. I would spend the rest of my life with him and watch over you guys with him."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a burning sight behind me staring at me.
Raphael was standing in the doorway, looking at me. His mother was standing beside him as well.
His eyes moved away from me and landed on Krish's face.
"Krish, I swear on my life that I will love your mommy for the rest of my life. I will love, protect, and watch over her for the rest of my life until the day my life ends."
The worry on Krish's brow faded. He lifted his chin and looked at Raphael. It was a long time before Krish finally said, "Okay, Daddy. I trust you."
I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Raphael said to Krish, "You can trust me for the rest of your life because I will never fail you for the rest of my life."
Krish lifted his chin and said, "If ever you fail to live up to these words today, I won't let you go."
Raphael smiled, "There will never be such a day."
-END-