Chapter 1: Was I Hallucinating?

Ryan's mansion is exquisitely decorated, both inside and out. However, the sitting room's interior is by far the most breathtaking. Brightly colored balloons hang all around, and beautiful rose petals are carefully arranged on the floor, spelling out the words: "Will You Marry Me?" My cheeks flushed red as I gazed into the eyes of the man I love deeply, Ryan Carlos.

Cheering erupted throughout the room, with guests chanting, "Say Yes! Say Yes!! Say Yes!!!" My smile grew wider as I saw Ryan down on one knee, holding a diamond ring.

"Allison Snow," he began, "I love you so much. Please make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife." Oh my God, Ryan is proposing! Tears streamed down my face. I had always dreamt of this moment, imagined it a thousand times, but this was beyond anything I had ever envisioned.

I stood frozen, speechless, as he repeated his proposal for the seventh time. It still felt like a dream. "Please, Allison, marry me." My blush deepened as the moment I'd always longed for arrived— and with the man of my dreams, my childhood crush. "Yes, yes! I accept." I hugged him tightly. "I will be your wife. I love you so much."

The room exploded with applause, and fireworks lit up the night. It was perfect. "I love you more," he whispered in my ear, kissing my face gently. "I want this moment to last forever." I cupped his face and kissed him back. "Me too."

Music filled the room, and guests either danced or sat, chatting with one another. But I knew one thing for sure— our love story would be the talk of the night. Ryan and I had known each other since childhood, likely when I was around nine. We practically grew up together. He lived across the villa where my parents worked as a nanny and driver.

My parents' employer had been kind enough to sponsor my education, allowing me to attend one of the best schools in the United States, reserved for the wealthy and elite. That was where I met Ryan, the man of my dreams.

Ryan pointed at my empty glass. "Babe, do you need a refill?" In my excitement, I hadn't even noticed my glass was empty. I nodded, muttering a quiet thank you as he refilled it.

"Did the decorations meet your expectations?" he asked.

"Yes, Ryan, everything is perfect. Thank you so much." I sealed the moment with a kiss. "Hush, no need to thank me. You deserve everything and more. You're the best," he said,

flattering me and making my cheeks redden. "And when we're married, I'll spoil you even more," he promised, pressing his forehead to mine affectionately.

"You're the best. I couldn't ask for more." As I lifted my glass to take another sip of wine, my vision blurred, and the room seemed to spin. I grabbed Ryan's hand for support.

"Babe, are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

"I'm not sure." Suddenly, I felt a desperate need for fresh air. The once spacious room now felt small and suffocating. I wasn't claustrophobic, but I suddenly felt as though I was. "What's happening to me?" I lightly rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the tension.

"Babe, what's wrong?" Ryan's alarm was clear in his voice.

"Just a headache." As I tried to set my glass on the counter, I staggered. Ryan quickly caught me before I could embarrass myself in front of everyone.

"Easy, babe." He gently led me to a couch. "You're not well. Are you dizzy?" "Just a little. I'll be fine. I just need some fresh air."

"I'll come with you—"

"Mr. Carlos," his assistant Mathew interrupted, "I'm sorry to disturb you, sir, but an investor is on the line. It's urgent, something about a contract issue."

"What?" Ryan's frown deepened. "What happened?" "I'm not sure, sir. He didn't specify."

"He can wait. Allison isn't feeling well—" "Ryan, it's okay. Take the call."

"No, you're more important—"

"Please, for my sake. I'll be fine. I just need a moment outside." "Alone? No, I don't like that."

"Why?" I asked, surprised. It was just his house, after all. There was no danger in stepping outside.

"I just don’t feel comfortable with it."

"Stop being difficult. I'll be back before you even finish the call." I reassured him with a smile, though Ryan could be overly protective at times. Today, however, he was acting paranoid.

Finally, after some persistence, he gave in. "Alright, you win," he said, turning to take the phone from Mathew. As they walked away, the dizziness hit me again, this time harder.

"What is wrong with me?" I murmured, rubbing my forehead. Steadying myself, I slowly made my way to the door, nodding at the congratulations still coming my way.

"Hey, Alise, are you okay?" Startled, I turned to find my best friend, Rachael, looking at me with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I assured her, though my body felt otherwise. "Where are you heading?" she asked, following me.

"Outside. I just need some air. I'll be fine on my own." I glanced across the room at Ryan, who was grinning sheepishly. I shot him an annoyed look. It was clear he'd asked Rachael to check on me, and I wasn’t happy about it.

"It’s not his fault. We’re all worried," Rachael tried to defend him.

"Please, I just need air," I snapped, my voice sounding foreign to me. "What is wrong with me?" I muttered again. I quickly apologized to Rachael, her expression showing she was still unsettled by my outburst.

Once I was finally alone, I stepped outside. The cold air hit me immediately, and I wished I’d worn something warmer. I walked toward the garden, trying to shake off the strange feeling that clung to me. The garden was my favorite spot, filled with the rose flowers Ryan had planted just for me.

Just as I was starting to relax, the garden lights flickered and went out, plunging the yard into darkness. A chill ran down my spine. I sensed someone behind me. I turned, heart pounding, but saw nothing. Must be my imagination, I thought.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself. Suddenly, a figure appeared out of the shadows. Gasping, I whirled around, my heart racing. I let out a sigh of relief—it was just a man, probably a guest. But as I looked closer, I realized something was off. He was... naked.

Panic set in. "Who are you?" I demanded, my voice trembling as the man moved closer. My heel caught on something, and I stumbled.

"Stay away!" I cried, my fear intensifying. But as he approached, I caught sight of his face, illuminated by the moonlight. He was impossibly handsome, like an ancient god. He murmured something under his breath, stepping closer until he was right in front of me.

Then, he leaned in and bit my neck.

"Ouch!" I yelped, snapping out of the strange trance. "Allison!" Ryan's voice cut through the fog. He was suddenly there, holding me, checking for any sign of injury. But the man was gone.

Was I hallucinating?

Chapter 2: A Red-Haired Beauty

Looking around, I noticed the lights had been turned back on, and everything seemed normal, except for a panicked Ryan who looked as if he might collapse from worry. But I was certain I hadn’t been hallucinating; what happened moments ago was very real. My hand instinctively went to my neck, and the stinging pain confirmed it.

'So, the stranger was indeed here... but where did he disappear to?' I glanced around, hoping to catch a glimpse of his shadow, but found nothing.

“Allison, please talk to me, what happened?” Ryan followed my gaze, trying to see what I was searching for. But the deepening frown on his face showed he was even more confused.

“Babe, please, you’re scaring me.”

I wanted to tell him everything, but seeing the worried look on his face, I knew Ryan wouldn’t be able to handle it. If I told him a naked man had appeared, come close to me, and then bit me, he’d surely have a heart attack from the shock. I hadn’t even fully processed it myself. There was something about the stranger that screamed danger, yet, when he held me, I felt oddly safe, like he wouldn’t harm me. But I was clearly wrong; the bite confirmed that.

'Why would he bite me?' I wondered. 'Maybe I was about to become his evening snack.' The thought sent a shudder of fear through me. Thank goodness Ryan showed up when he did, or I might have ended up lying dead in a pool of blood.

Looking at Ryan, I saw beads of sweat forming on his forehead, deepening the creases there. Guilt washed over me for causing him so much distress when all he’s ever done is love me unconditionally. I made a promise in my heart not to worry him anymore, starting now by concealing what had happened.

If Ryan found out that a stranger had entered his property without the guards noticing, he’d be furious. In his anger, he might fire all the security staff, leaving the house unprotected, which didn’t sit well with me. If anything happened to Ryan, I don’t know what I’d do. I’d never forgive myself.

It was my fault, really. If I had just listened to him and stayed inside, none of this would have happened. I wouldn’t have been bitten, and I would have been safe.

A burning sensation flared on the spot where the stranger had bitten me. I flinched slightly, but I tried not to draw Ryan’s attention. The bite mark was starting to sting badly, but I decided to ignore it until I could deal with it later, safely inside. I let my hair fall over my neck, concealing the mark. I was grateful I had listened to Rachael earlier and left my hair down instead of tying it in my usual tight bun.

I run a small pastry shop downtown, and because of my work, I’m always in a bun. The store doesn’t bring in much, but it’s enough to pay my bills and keep food on the table. Even though Ryan has offered to take care of everything, I’ve never been one to depend on others for my needs. I like my independence.

Satisfied that my hair had hidden the bite, I turned to Ryan with a sweet smile, determined to ease his worry.

“It’s nothing, my heel just got stuck,” I said awkwardly, pointing to my shoe. “Your heel?” He looked at me, unconvinced. “How?”

He glanced down and saw that my heel was, indeed, caught. “Oh no, I’m so sorry, babe. Stay still, I’ll help you.”

“Thank you,” I muttered once he freed me.

I tried to push what had happened to the back of my mind. With Ryan beside me, I could focus on the bright future ahead and treat the earlier incident like a bad dream.

“Ryan, can we go inside now? I’m getting cold.”

He quickly took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. The warmth enveloped me, instantly making me feel better.

“How about the dizziness? Has it stopped?” His voice was still filled with concern. “Yes, I’m fine now.” I patted his hand lightly. “Like I said, I just needed some fresh air.”

He smiled, though the worry lingered in his eyes. “Alright. Come on, you still have to cut the cake.”

“Cake?” My eyes lit up with excitement. “There’s cake?”

“Yes, your favorite—chocolate and vanilla with extra toppings, just the way you like it.”

“Oh, Ryan, thank you so much!” I pulled him into a kiss, letting his familiar scent calm me as I tried to forget the stranger’s intoxicating presence.

******

From the far end of the compound, Lucian stood, growling quietly as he watched another man hold his mate close, guiding her up the stairs. Rage coursed through him; he wanted nothing more than to tear Ryan apart. But Isla’s soft hand on his arm restrained him.

Lucian turned to her, his anger subsiding slightly. Isla, with her fiery red hair, had been his companion through thick and thin. She was the daughter of Imogen, the most powerful and cold-hearted witch in existence. Most in the immortal realm despised Isla, believing she was as cruel as her mother. But Lucian saw her differently.

“Lucian, don’t act rashly,” Isla’s voice was calm, though it barely broke the night’s silence. “How long until the bite takes effect?” Lucian’s focus remained on his mate.

His original plan had been to take Allison home with him. But Isla had convinced him otherwise, saying that biting her would help her respond to the mating pull. Since she was human, Isla explained, the bite would help her understand their connection.

Lucian had been hesitant, knowing that biting a human could be dangerous. But Isla had assured him it was the best way to claim his mate.

“Lucian, I’m not human, so I don’t know exactly how fast their bodies react. But give it time, and the bite will take effect,” she promised, smiling to herself. Lucian, focused on Allison, missed the sinister gleam in her eyes.

Isla had been in love with Lucian for over a century, but he had only ever seen her as a friend. When he began to believe his mate was lost or dead, Isla had been hopeful. But Allison’s arrival shattered her hopes, filling Isla with anger.

Imogen, her mother, had devised a plan. She’d told Isla to convince Lucian to bite Allison, promising it was the only way to claim her. But what Lucian didn’t know was that the bite would likely harm, or even kill, his mate.

Chapter 3: I Will Be Fine

And with that, Isla would have Allison out of their lives without having to lift a finger against her or the human race.

"But this isn’t what you told me before. You said it would work." Lucian's angry gaze locked onto her, his eyes the color of ash.

Isla discreetly hid her satisfied smile. "I know, Lucian. I’m really sorry for my miscalculation. All I wanted was to help." She feigned sadness, pretending to be hurt by his angry tone.

Sighing, he regretted raising his voice at her. "I’m sorry," he said, pulling her into his embrace. "It’s just taking so long to take effect."

"I know, but sometimes, as witches, our predictions don’t happen instantly. It takes time." "Yes, I understand."

Lucian wasn't pleased about having to wait longer before taking Allison home, but since Isla had said so, he was willing to be patient. Isla was one of the few people he trusted with his life.

"You said she needs more time, right?" "Yes."

"Alright, I’ll wait." Releasing her from his hold, Lucian returned his gaze to Ryan’s house. "I’ll stand here all night if I have to."

"Huh?" Isla didn’t want him waiting all night. If Lucian stayed, he might witness the effects of the bite, and that would ruin her plan.

"You said I should wait, so I will."

"Yes, but I didn’t mean you should stay here all night. Lucian, this could take a while, and someone might see you."

"I don’t care."

"You should care. If someone sees you, they could mistake you for a criminal. That’s not the first impression you want to make on her, is it? You know how humans are."

One look from Lucian silenced her.

"I’m sorry," she murmured, stepping back.

"Fine. I’ll leave, but I will return," he promised. "By then, I hope it’s taken effect as you said."

'Yes!' Isla cheered inwardly, masking her triumph with a composed expression. By the time Lucian returned, she knew the bite’s effects would be apparent, but not in the way Lucian hoped.

Lucian wasn’t just any werewolf; he was a super hybrid, the son of the devil himself—Lucifer—and a mother who was part werewolf and vampire. His bite was far more lethal than any other. No human could survive it, not even his fated mate.

Smiling wickedly, Isla basked in her victory as she looked at Ryan’s house, still filled with music echoing through the night.

"I’ll take my leave." With a final glance at the house, Lucian sped away, leaving nothing but a stiff breeze in his wake.

Isla sighed, knowing she could never match his speed. Whenever Lucian ran like that, she felt a pang of envy, wishing she were a super hybrid like him. But that was impossible. Lucian was the only one of his kind, a combination of three powerful beings. His beast, Tristan, dominated the demon and vampire within, making him the werewolf king.

With nothing left to do, Isla muttered a spell and instantly appeared beside Lucian, determined to stay with him until her plan succeeded.

******

The rest of the evening went smoothly. After the cake was cut, the party gradually wound down, the music fading as the last guest said their farewell. Feeling content, I looked around, hoping to spot my best friend.

Rachael had been hard to pin down after the cake cutting, dancing with every hot bachelor she could find. I smiled. Rachael loved a good party and never missed a chance to have fun.

Just thinking about her antics made me smile even more, shaking my head.

Rachael could be tough as nails if you crossed her, but she was also the sweetest, kindest person I knew. When I was in a financial crisis, she had come to my rescue with a brilliant idea. She moved in with me so we could split the bills, which helped me save money and send some home to help out.

"Babe, who are you looking for?" Ryan asked, noticing my wandering gaze. "Rachael."

"Oh, there she is." He pointed to the far end of the sitting room.

There she sat, shoes off, massaging her feet. A smile tugged at my lips. She must have danced herself out of those killer heels.

"She’s something, isn’t she?" I said, laughing softly.

Rachael had always loved high heels, making her appear taller than her already 5’4” frame. We were nearly the same height, though I was a couple of inches taller. People often mistook us for sisters, with our long black hair—though mine was thicker and longer while hers was lighter, just brushing her shoulders. Our eyes were different too: hazel for her, light blue for me.

"I’ll go to her," I told Ryan, who still had his arm around me.

"Alright," he reluctantly let me go. "I’ll join you after I settle with the DJ." "Sure," I said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, Rachael," I called as I approached her. "You okay?"

"No, my feet are killing me. And don’t say 'I told you so.'" She rolled her eyes, laughing. I smiled sympathetically. Rachael never listened, just like me.

"Let me see." I took her foot in my hand, studying the swelling. I wasn’t a doctor, but I enjoyed helping like this.

"Was the shoe too tight?" I already knew the answer, but I asked anyway. Rachael always wore smaller sizes, claiming they looked prettier. 'How ridiculous,' I thought with a sigh.

Deciding to get her some ice, I stood up, only to be hit by a sharp, excruciating pain in my neck that forced me back down.

"Argh!" I cried, my hand snapping to my neck.

"Are you alright?" Rachael abandoned her aching feet to rush to my side.

I wanted to tell her what was happening, but then I remembered I hadn’t told Ryan the truth yet. If I showed Rachael the mark, she would freak out and run straight to Ryan. She could be so annoying like that.

"I’m fine. Just a little muscle pain," I lied, trying to stand again.

"Are you sure?" She looked worried, helping me up. "Jesus, Allison, you’re burning up!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with panic.

"No, no," I tried to calm her down. "Please keep your voice down. I don’t want Ryan to hear." "Why?" she whispered, confused.

"Because he’ll only worry, and it’s nothing serious."

But with every passing minute, the pain worsened, spreading from my neck down through my body until I couldn’t bear it anymore.

Before I knew what was happening, I collapsed to the ground. Ryan was by my side instantly, his face etched with worry.

I tried to reach up, to reassure him that I was fine, but my hand fell limp at my side. "Allison! Open your eyes! Please!"

But it was too late.

Chapter 4: The Mark Isn't There, It's Gone!

Five days have passed, yet it still feels like a dream. A dream where I was bitten, enduring excruciating pain that nearly killed me. I say "nearly" because, somehow, I’m still alive and breathing—or at least I think so. A small smile formed on my lips as I gazed at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

If Rachael were here and heard me use the word "almost," she would undoubtedly talk my ears off. In her eyes, I had actually died. I’m just relieved I regained consciousness before she and Ryan had the chance to deliver the awful news to my parents. My mother, bless her faint heart, would have been devastated.

Ever since I was discharged from the hospital on Monday, Rachael has been relentless, always searching my eyes whenever she asks what happened that night. Each time, my answer has remained unchanged—both to her and Ryan.

I promised myself I wouldn’t tell Ryan, but when I saw the worry written across his handsome face, I couldn't help but break down and tell him everything. What happened next wasn’t what I expected, though.

Ryan and Rachael just laughed it off, thinking it was some joke. And when I tried to show them the mark, it was gone. Like it had vanished into thin air.

"How?" I frantically pulled down the neckline of my dress, searching for it. But still, nothing. The mark isn’t there. It's gone!

I know, with every fiber of my being, that what happened wasn’t a dream. Yet, how could a deep bite heal so completely without leaving any trace? With no evidence to back up my story, my words sound incomplete, unbelievable. But I swear it's the truth.

Sighing, I rested my hands on the mirror stand, trying to clear my head of that awful night. But every time I close my eyes, images of that night flood my mind. His face is all I see, haunting my nights and making sleep impossible. The bags under my eyes have become more visible, and my face looks pale and sickly.

I opened the drawer and grabbed my multivitamin pills, taking two as prescribed by the doctor. Downing them with a glass of water, I kept to the routine I’d followed since I was discharged.

Ryan insisted I stay at his place, but how could I? I haven’t been able to shake that night from my thoughts, and worse, my fiancé and my best friend think I’m crazy. Staying in my own place has been the best decision, giving me the space I need to sort through everything without Ryan’s concerned gaze constantly on me, full of questions I don’t even know how to begin answering.

"Babe, are you ever coming out? You've been in there for over an hour," Rachael’s voice cut through my thoughts, tinged with frustration.

"I’ll be out soon," I called back. Splashing water on my face, I dried it with a towel before stepping out. I was immediately met with Rachael’s scrutinizing stare, which was nothing new by now. Ever since I told her what happened, she’s been watching me closely, as if waiting for me to crack.

I threw her a weak smile and brushed past her, picking up the book I had been reading. I’m trying to hone my cooking skills, which is why I applied to culinary school three weeks ago. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, ever since I was a child. It still baffles my mom that I studied civil engineering in college.

I don’t know why I made that decision either. I was a confused little girl, unsure of what direction to take with my life. But now, I have a clearer focus—cooking. I look forward to the day when Ryan and I are married, and I’ll be in the kitchen making delicious meals for him and our future children. I imagine our little ones running around the house, filling it with laughter.

"Allison, are you smiling to yourself again?" Rachael interrupted my thoughts, poking her head around to look at me. I rolled my eyes at her.

Sighing, she flopped onto the couch beside me, filling the empty space. I kept pretending to focus on my book, ignoring her.

"There’s a party tonight—Liam invited us," she started.

"Who’s Liam?" I gave her a questioning look.

She waved me off. "Just a friend I met at the last party. But listen, we’re going to this one." She snatched my book away, making me yelp in protest.

"Stop screaming! We need to get ready; we leave in thirty minutes," she said excitedly.

"What? No way. I’m not going to any party. Besides, I have nothing to wear." I tried to retrieve my book, but she pulled me back to the couch.

"You’re going, and I already have an outfit for you," she said triumphantly. "I told you, I’m not going anywhere," I protested.

"Yes, you are. You've been acting all moody and lost these past few days. This will help you unwind." She sighed, clearly exasperated.

"I’m fine, Rachael."

"No, you're not. You’ve been acting like a different person. Please, Allison. I’m begging you." She softened her tone, using my full name to add weight to her plea. "Come on, let's just have a bit of fun. Besides, Ryan’s on his way to pick us up."

"What? Ryan’s coming and didn’t tell me?" I frowned. After he dropped me home from the hospital, he’d been distant, acting strangely. Rachael says people handle shock in different ways, but I think his behavior has been a little extreme.

I sighed, thinking about the pressure he’s been under—work stress and his parents' upcoming visit. Especially his mother. She has never approved of me or our relationship, but Ryan, stubborn as he is, has never paid her disapproval any mind.

"We’re staying together, no matter what," he would always say, bringing a smile to my face every time.

Rachael broke into my thoughts with an apologetic expression. "Oops. I ruined the surprise, didn’t I?"

I rolled my eyes. "Typical. You can't keep a secret to save your life."

"Please don't tell him I told you!" she begged. "Just act surprised when he shows up, okay?" I sighed, relenting. "Alright, I guess if Ryan’s coming, I have no choice."

"Yay! Now, go get dressed." She beamed, practically pushing me toward the room. "I got a dress for you. You’ll love it. Thank me later."

I smiled at her, my mood lifting slightly. When I saw the dress laid out on the bed, my eyes widened. "Wow, it’s gorgeous! Is this for me?"

"Do you like it?" she asked, grinning.

"Are you kidding? I love it." The white lace bodycon dress, with its elegant front slit and bow detail, was perfect.

"Aww, I’m glad. Now hurry up, let’s get ready," she said, rushing to prepare herself as well.

Chapter 5: God, How Did I Get So Lucky?

As I stood in front of the mirror in my room, gazing at my reflection, I could hardly believe my eyes. The white dress clung to my hourglass figure so perfectly, I was left in awe. After everything that had happened, I hadn’t been eating well, though not by choice. My appetite just wasn’t there, no matter how many multivitamins I took. I thought I had lost a lot of weight, but seeing myself now, looking so beautiful, exceeded my expectations. Wow, I thought to myself, I look amazing! Rachael had styled my hair up and did my makeup flawlessly—I almost didn’t recognize myself.

Had it not been for the dress I was wearing, I probably wouldn’t have.

“You look gorgeous, Allison,” Rachael said, standing behind me, also taking in my appearance.

“Thank you,” I blushed. “And it’s all thanks to you.” I turned and pulled her in for a bear hug. “You’re the best.” I smiled, hugging her tightly until the sound of the doorbell broke the moment, forcing me to let her go.

“That must be Ryan,” she said, excitement in her voice.

“Yes,” I smiled, ready to go answer the door, but Rachael stopped me.

“Hey, remember what I told you?” she frowned, staring at me. “I said you’d act surprised, remember?” She raised an eyebrow at me sternly.

“Oh, yes! Thanks for reminding me,” I grinned, realizing I had almost forgotten.

Leaving me in front of the mirror, still admiring myself, Rachael went to get the door. It didn’t take long before I heard footsteps on the carpet as Ryan entered my room, smelling fresh and crisp. I wanted to run to him and kiss him, but I held myself back, remembering Rachael’s reminder to act surprised. Besides, I was still a bit upset with him for his recent behavior.

“Allison,” he called gently as he stepped further into the room.

Turning to face him, I gasped, faking surprise. “Oh my goodness, Ryan, you’re here!” I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck.

“Yes, babe, I’m here,” he chuckled, pulling me closer. “And I missed you so much.” He smiled before leaning in for a kiss. It started slow but quickly became more passionate. His lips tasted of mint mixed with black coffee. Ryan was a huge fan of black coffee, and I bet he had some before coming here. The thought made me smile.

“Hey, what’s got you smiling?” he asked, pulling back slightly and looking at me curiously.

“Nothing, just thinking about one of your many habits,” I smiled, and seeing his smile made me feel so blessed. How did I get so lucky to have such a sweet, handsome man like him? And let’s not forget—he’s loaded too.

Ryan Carlos, the richest bachelor in the world, had worked tirelessly to take his father’s company to greater heights. Through hard work, he had signed multi-billion-dollar deals and acquired major companies, building a financial empire.

“And do you mind sharing what my many habits are?” he teased, nuzzling my neck and making me giggle.

“Come on, Ryan, stop!” I laughed, trying to free myself from his playful hold.

The laughter soon died down, and he gazed into my eyes. In his hazel eyes, I could see the depth of his love, strong and unwavering.

‘God, how did I get so lucky?’ I thought to myself as I gazed back into his eyes.

“I always want to see you like this, Allison—happy,” he smiled, pressing his forehead against mine. “I want to see that sparkle in your eyes, the way they twinkle when you’re happy. Your giggle is like music to my ears.”

“I missed you so much, Allison,” he continued, pulling me closer. “You can’t imagine how I felt seeing you in that state. I was heartbroken. I can’t imagine life without you. Please promise me—you’ll never scare me like that again.”

“Shh,” I placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. Seeing him hurt broke my heart. “Let’s forget about that, okay? It’s in the past now.”

“Thank you,” he smiled, running his hand soothingly up and down my back. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Ahem,” Rachael cleared her throat, interrupting the moment. “Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but we need to head out now, or we’ll be late.” She sighed dramatically.

I felt Ryan’s head rest on mine, and I knew he was as reluctant as I was to go to this party. I would’ve ditched it if Rachael hadn’t put so much effort into planning.

Just as Ryan means the world to me, so does Rachael. I can’t let her down, even if all I want is to stay home and cuddle with Ryan.

Yet, as much as I love Ryan, I couldn’t stop thinking about that strange man from before. His image kept intruding into my thoughts, and it made me feel guilty even now, standing in Ryan’s arms. I promised myself that after this party, I’d make time for Ryan and me to reconnect.

“Babe, are you ready?” Ryan asked, searching my eyes to make sure.

Since leaving the hospital, I hadn’t stepped foot outside. I hadn’t even opened my pastry store, using rest as an excuse. But deep down, I knew it was fear holding me back. The thought of that stranger appearing again haunted me.

“Yes, Ryan, I’m ready,” I smiled, taking his arm as he led me out of the room.

“Oh, before I forget,” he called as we reached the living room. “I got you something.” He walked to the kitchen corner and returned with a bag and a single rose.

I smiled, my heart swelling. “Aww, thank you, Ryan.”

Inside the bag, the first thing I noticed was a bottle of champagne. “Champagne? What’s the occasion?” I asked, surprised.

Ryan pulled me close, touching the tip of my nose. “Because my queen has made a safe recovery. This is a toast to good health and long life.”

“Amen!” Rachael chimed in, appearing with three glasses. I rolled my eyes, amused. “I thought you were in a hurry?” I teased.

She ignored me. “Let’s pop the champagne!” she exclaimed, her excitement contagious.

As we poured the champagne, I couldn’t help but peek back into the bag. Alongside the champagne, there was a box of 12 cupcakes from my favorite pastry shop, a bar of my favorite chocolate, and a large bowl of vanilla-banana ice cream.

My mouth watered. “I’m definitely having a taste of this before we leave,” I promised myself.