Chapter 159: Will You Marry Me?
"Let’s get married," Theo finally muttered, his eyes still fixed on Daisy.
Daisy froze, then gave a short, breathless laugh. "We are married, Theo..."
"No," he said, stepping toward her, his voice low but earnest. "Not like before. Not the rushed papers, not out of necessity. I mean... let’s make it real. Let’s make it ours."
He swallowed, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I should’ve done this long ago. And now that the world will know about us, I don’t want them to think you were just some arrangement. You’re my wife... but I want to ask you properly this time."
Her hand shot out, gripping his arm as he started to bend down. "Theo... wait." Her brows furrowed, torn between shock and disbelief. "What do you mean by what the world will know about us? You’re trying to propose? Now? My father is being held hostage, and you—" She broke off, shaking her head, voice trembling. "How can you even think about that right now?"
Theo didn’t flinch under her words. Instead, he caught her other hand, holding them both firmly as if anchoring her to him. His voice was low, steady, but laced with urgency.
"Because I can’t let you think this is just about strategy," he said. "Yes, we are going public. It is a move against him. But for me? It’s more than that. I can’t fight for your father and protect you while you’re still doubting what we are. I need you to know I’m here not because of a deal, not because I have to... but because I choose you, Daisy."
Her breath hitched, her hands trembling in his. His gaze softened as he added, almost in a whisper, "I should’ve asked you this a long time ago. If we’re going to stand in front of the world, I want them to see you as the woman I love, not just as my wife on paper."
Daisy’s chest rose and fell unevenly, her lips parting, but no words came. She gripped his hands tighter, shaking her head as her vision blurred.
"Theo... don’t do this to me," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You don’t know how much I want to hear those words. You don’t know how many nights I... I wished you’d say them." Her shoulders trembled, tears spilling despite her effort to hold them back. "But now? With my father’s life hanging by a thread? I can’t—" She broke off with a sob, pressing a hand over her mouth as if to stop herself from falling apart completely.
Theo’s heart clenched. He moved closer, but Daisy pulled back just enough, torn between wanting his comfort and fearing it would shatter her.
"I don’t hate it," she forced out, her voice raw. "I don’t hate you. I just... I can’t carry both right now. The fear for him and..." she sighed, "how can I be happy at the same time? This feels wrong..."
Theo’s heart twisted at the sight of her breaking down. He wasn’t blind, he knew the weight she carried. Still, he couldn’t stop himself, not this time.
"I know the timing is awful," he admitted, voice low and raw. "But Daisy... we got married like it was a transaction. A deal. You never got what you deserved. Not the choice, not the moment, not me the way I should’ve been from the start."
Her tears spilled faster, and she pressed a trembling hand to her mouth.
Theo gently pried her hand from his arm, holding it between both of his as though it was the most fragile thing in the world. "I can’t change how it began. But I can change this. I can finally ask you, the way I should’ve. Not because of your father, not because of the Kennedys, not because of the Kingsleys... but because I love you."
Theo’s hands tightened slightly around hers, his gaze never leaving hers. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he dropped to one knee. The suddenness of it made Daisy’s breath hitch.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box, opening it to reveal a simple but elegant ring that caught the light. His voice was steady, yet carried all the weight of his heart.
"Daisy... I know we started this as a deal or... more like I forced you to get married." He smiled warmly, recalling the moment, "But I can’t let that define us. I want to do this right. So... Will you marry me... truly this time? Will you let me love you, not as part of a contract, but as my wife, as the woman I’ve always wanted?"
Daisy’s hands trembled, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. She stared at him, the words catching in her throat, torn between the chaos outside their world and the quiet, undeniable truth of his love in front of her.
She pouted, holding onto his hands tightly, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I do... I do..." Her voice cracked, trembling with all the emotions she had bottled up, relief, fear, love, and a fragile hope.
He gently lifted her hands to his lips, pressing soft kisses over each finger, his own eyes glistening. "I promise... I’ll never let anything hurt you again," he whispered, his voice low and fierce.
Suddenly recalled about the ring, he fumbled slightly, holding the ring between his fingers as he looked up at her. "I hope it still suits yours..." he murmured.
Daisy held out her hand, trembling slightly. "It’s perfect," she murmured, almost to herself.
Theo slipped the ring onto her finger, his movements careful but certain. He stood up and took a step back, eyes scanning hers. "I’ll make sure the people who took your father... they won’t get away with it. I promise."
Daisy swallowed hard, still processing everything, and nodded. "I know... I trust you. Just... be careful."
Theo’s jaw tightened, the weight of the situation settling on both of them. "I will. We’re going to fix this... together."