the stranger who stayed

The proposal

Chapter4: The Proposal

Sheila

It all felt like a dream.

As if, the moment I blinked, everything would return to normal.

I still couldn't believe he had kissed me—the mysterious man who had been living rent-free in my head ever since our first encounter. My breathing slowed as my mind struggled to process everything that had happened.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I sat perfectly still, unable to move.

The man standing at the door stepped fully into the room. Something about him made my blood run cold. He studied me for a moment before turning his attention to the man beside me.

“Mr. Gu.”

So that was his name.

Gu stood and extended his hand for a handshake. I made a move to leave but stopped myself.

The two men exchanged a few words, but I couldn't make out what they were saying.

Then Gu spoke.

“Forgive my manners. This is my fiancée.”

My eyes widened.

I opened my mouth to protest, but the look he gave me stopped the words from leaving my lips.

I forced a small smile.

The older man's gaze lingered on me before he smiled politely.

“Nice to meet you,” he said.

The older man—who I later learned was Mr. Lee—finally left.

Only then did I allow myself to relax.

I turned toward Gu, struggling to read the expression on his face.

“Why did you do that?”

He sighed and rubbed his temple.

“I apologize—”

Rage surged through me before he could finish.

My hand connected with his cheek before I even realized what I was doing.

His eyes widened in shock as he held the side of his face.

*****

“Oh my goodness!”

Crystal's voice rang through the apartment, though the amusement in her eyes suggested she wasn't sorry for him at all.

She dropped onto the couch beside me and placed her pizza box on the table.

“I can't believe it. So, what are you going to do?”

I stared up at the ceiling.

“I'm obviously not getting involved in a lie.”

Crystal remained silent for a moment before sighing.

“I think you should do it.”

I turned to her.

“What?”

“I mean, come on,” she said with a grin. “It could be fun.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I muttered, massaging my temples.

I stood up.

“I'm going to bed. Goodnight.”

“Think about it,” she called after me. “You have nothing to lose.”

I froze.

Nothing to lose?

Maybe she was right.

I'd already lost everything.

My happiness.

My job.

The man I loved.

All at once.

And despite everything, a foolish part of me still hoped Henry would come back.

That he would tell me he had made a mistake.

That I was the love of his life.

That he had chosen wrong.

My phone suddenly buzzed.

My heart dropped when I looked at the notification.

It was a photo from Henry's engagement party.

Today.

So much for hope.

Tears burned at the back of my eyes as I stared at the screen.

Slowly, I lowered the phone.

“I'll do it,” I whispered.

And for the first time, the decision felt final.