Chapter 261: A mafia king
Audrey’s heart skipped a beat. His words were unexpected, like a sudden burst of sunlight through storm clouds. But instead of melting into the warmth, she masked her emotions with a guarded expression, raising an eyebrow.
"Are you sure about that?" she asked skeptically. "How do I know you won’t lose interest and walk away like before?"
He didn’t flinch. His eyes held hers, unwavering and calm, as if he had waited a long time for this moment.
"I didn’t think love was meant for someone like me," he said slowly. "But you... you proved me wrong. You didn’t just walk into my life. You changed me. If there is one woman I see beside me, as my life partner, my queen, it’s you."
Her breath caught in her throat. The bitterness she had held onto for all those days began to soften, crumbling under the weight of his earnest gaze. Still, she was unwilling to give in too easily.
"You say that now," she muttered. "But what’s the guarantee you won’t back out again? We were together for two whole years, and yet you always kept me hidden. Not a single picture together, not a single word to the world. It was like you were ashamed of me. How can I trust a man who couldn’t even show he was proud to be with me?"
He didn’t defend himself. No excuses. No sudden promises. He only stared at her in silence.
That silence hurt more than any rejection. Audrey’s hope began to fade. Her jaw tightened as she shifted her weight, ready to shut him out for good.
But before she could turn around, he reached out and held her still. His fingers slid under her chin, lifting her face and making her meet his eyes.
"Then tell me, how do I make you believe me?"
Audrey’s expression sharpened with resolve as she looked him square in the eye. "Then prove it. Marry me. Announce it to the world—your friends, your family, everyone. Make it official. Then I’ll believe you mean what you say."