Chapter 2: A Stranger's Proposal
803 Words
The handsome stranger stared at Amelia as if he had heard her wrong.
"What did you say?" he asked.
Amelia swallowed hard.
Her emotions were all over the place.
She had just lost everything.
The man she loved had betrayed her.
Her own stepsister had stolen her fiancé.
She didn't want to go back inside and face the pitying looks of the guests.
So she repeated herself.
"Will you marry me?"
The man blinked.
For the first time, surprise flashed across his calm face.
"You don't even know me."
Amelia let out a bitter laugh.
"And I thought I knew the man I was supposed to marry."
Silence fell between them.
A cool breeze blew past.
The stranger looked at her carefully.
Her eyes were red from crying.
Her makeup was slightly smudged.
Yet she looked beautiful in her wedding dress.
More importantly, she looked heartbroken.
"Did someone hurt you?" he asked softly.
Amelia lowered her eyes.
"You could say that."
The man remained silent.
He wasn't the type to get involved in other people's business.
Normally, he would have walked away.
But for some reason, he couldn't.
There was something about this woman.
Something that made him stay.
At that moment, the hotel doors burst open.
"Amelia!"
She froze.
Daniel.
He had followed her.
Vanessa was beside him.
"Please, listen to me," Daniel said.
Amelia took a step back.
"I have nothing to say to you."
"You're overreacting."
She looked at him in disbelief.
Overreacting?
He had cheated on her.
On their wedding day.
And she was overreacting?
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Honestly, Amelia, stop embarrassing yourself."
The stranger frowned.
He could already guess what had happened.
Daniel looked at Amelia.
"The guests are waiting. Let's go back inside and explain everything."
"Explain what?" Amelia asked. "That you were sleeping with my sister?"
Daniel's face turned pale.
People nearby began whispering.
Vanessa glared at Amelia.
"Keep your voice down!"
"No!" Amelia shouted. "Why should I?"
Tears filled her eyes again.
"You ruined my life!"
Daniel sighed impatiently.
"Can we discuss this privately?"
"There is nothing left to discuss."
Vanessa suddenly smiled.
"You know what? Maybe this is for the best."
Amelia looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"You and Daniel are over."
The words pierced her heart.
Vanessa stepped closer.
"Besides, no man would want a woman who was abandoned on her wedding day."
Amelia's face turned pale.
Then—
A deep voice spoke.
"I would."
Everyone turned.
The handsome stranger stepped forward.
He looked at Amelia.
Then he took her hand.
Warmth spread through her fingers.
"I'll marry you."
Silence.
Daniel's mouth fell open.
Vanessa's eyes widened.
Amelia stared at the man in shock.
"You… what?"
"I said yes."
"You don't even know me."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"And you don't know me either."
She didn't know what to say.
This was insane.
Absolutely insane.
Daniel looked furious.
"Who are you?"
The stranger didn't even glance at him.
Instead, his eyes remained on Amelia.
"Are you sure about this?"
Amelia looked at Daniel and Vanessa.
The two people who had destroyed her happiness.
Then she looked back at the stranger.
For some reason, his calm eyes made her feel safe.
Maybe this was crazy.
Maybe she would regret it.
But she couldn't stay here.
She couldn't keep crying over people who didn't deserve her tears.
She took a deep breath.
"I'm sure."
A smile slowly appeared on the man's face.
"Good."
He extended his hand toward her.
"My name is Ethan."
She stared at his hand.
Then she placed her hand in his.
"Amelia."
"Nice to meet you, Amelia."
Before she could reply, Vanessa burst out laughing.
"This is ridiculous!"
Daniel nodded.
"You can't marry a complete stranger."
Amelia lifted her chin.
"Watch me."
Daniel's expression darkened.
"You'll regret this."
"No," she said firmly. "The only thing I regret is loving you."
He fell silent.
Ethan looked at her.
"Shall we go?"
She nodded.
Together, they walked away.
"Amelia!" Daniel shouted.
But she didn't turn back.
For the first time in three years…
She left him behind.
As she and Ethan walked down the street, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Amelia stopped.
She looked at him nervously.
"You really agreed."
"I did."
"Why?"
Ethan was quiet for a moment.
Then he said softly,
"Because no one should be left alone on their wedding day."
Her heart skipped a beat.
She didn't know why, but those words almost made her cry again.
She quickly looked away.
"Thank you."
He smiled.
"You're welcome."
A few seconds later, he asked,
"So… where exactly are we getting married?"
Amelia blinked.
Then, for the first time that day…
She laughed.
And Ethan smiled.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But this unexpected meeting was about to change both of their lives forever.
- Writer
