Before I could form a coherent response, Kane swept me off my feet and into his arms.

"What do you think you're doing—"


"You're carrying our child. You shouldn't be wandering around forests at night, understand?"

"I can walk perfectly fine on my own."

"Not taking that chance."


"Kane! Put me down this instant!"

"Can't risk anything happening to our baby, can we?"


My face flamed with embarrassment at his casual claim on our child, and I hid against his shoulder.

"Lucy." His voice softened as he carried me through the moonlit forest.

He continued, his tone serious: "I want you to know that while I hope you'll keep our baby, the choice is yours. Whatever you decide, I'll support you completely. I'm not going anywhere."

My heart melted at his words, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. "It's not fair. I haven't agreed to be with you yet."

"On that point, I'm afraid there's no room for discussion."

I pulled back to look at his face. "Excuse me? Why not?"

"You spent years chasing after me as a kid. Now it's my turn to pursue you. Whether you like it or not, I'm not letting you out of my sight again."

I didn't know how to reacte. "You're sick—"

"Mm-hmm, hopelessly sick with love for you—"

One month later.

Emily fussed over my hair, carefully applied my makeup, and helped me into a stunning strapless gown.

"Emily, isn't this overkill? Why am I getting this dolled up for Selena's birthday party?"

Emily scolded me in exasperation: "Are you stupid? Selena is naturally beautiful without even trying. You need to dress up properly! Don't stand next to her looking like a maid!"

"Fine, fine, just hurry up or we'll be late."

After what felt like hours of primping, I was finally ready and headed to the venue with Emily, who kept checking her phone and smiling mysteriously.

Then we arrived, I pushed open the double doors and froze in shock: the entire hall was transformed with twinkling lights, elegant decorations, and hundreds of roses. The air was perfumed with flowers and sweet desserts. This seemed excessive even for Selena.

As I stood there confused, Kane stepped onto a small platform at the front, looking devastatingly handsome in a crisp white suit.

Emily squeezed my hand and gave me a gentle push toward the center of the room.

I suddenly noticed everyone watching—Selena, Kane's teammates, my parents, and Kane's parents—all smiling expectantly.

My heart began to race as understanding dawned. This wasn't Selena's party at all.

Kane descended from the platform and walked toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.

The room fell silent, all eyes following his movement.

He looked uncharacteristically nervous, his throat working as he swallowed. When he pulled out a small velvet box, my breath caught.

A collective murmur of excitement swept through the room.

With graceful confidence, he dropped to one knee before me.

The world around us disappeared. I could only see Kane, his amber eyes filled with love and vulnerability, looking up at me with complete devotion.

He opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring. "Lucy Leahy." His voice was husky with emotion but carried clearly through the silent room. "I'm stubborn, jealous, and prideful, and I've hurt you more times than I can count. I once foolishly pushed you away, but by some miracle... fate gave me a second chance with you."

Tears immediately filled my eyes at his words. Our entire history played through my mind like a film—childhood memories, years of tension, that fateful night, our journey to understanding each other, and now this perfect, impossible moment.

"I promise to spend every day making up for lost time, cherishing you the way you've always deserved." He paused, his voice dropping to an intimate whisper. "Lucy Leahy, will you marry me?"

Around us, our friends and family began a gentle chant: "Say yes! Say yes!"

I gazed down at Kane through my tears, trying to steady my racing heart. I wanted to tease him, to make some clever remark as I always did, but words failed me completely.

In the end, all I could manage was one simple, tear-choked response:

"I will."

The moment I spoke, Kane's entire face transformed with pure joy. With slightly trembling hands, he slid the ring onto my finger, his touch reverent and sure.

The room exploded with applause and cheers, but I barely heard them.

Kane rose to his feet, pulled me close, and kissed me deeply, oblivious to the celebration around us.

So it turns out that accidentally sleeping with my nemesis wasn't an accident at all, but destiny's way of bringing together two people who had loved each other all along.

(The End)