A Love Unseen

The Proposal

You know when good news is like a surprise party in your brain? It’s like—BAM! Your heart’s racing, your mind’s blown, and suddenly, you're somewhere way past cloud nine.

Well, being emotionally overwhelmed is when all that good energy gets jammed up in your body and your system’s like, “Peace out, I need a nap.” Like when your crush asks you out, and you just stand there frozen, thinking, *Is this real life?* And then the excitement starts to sound like angels singing that one hymn you've only ever heard at funerals.

Aurora "Rory" Wynter was exactly there.

She stared at Landon like he was a mythical creature—unreal, intimidating, and completely breathtaking. It made no sense, but then again, neither did the fact that he had just proposed.

The longer she looked at his perfect face, the more emotions rushed in: excitement, happiness, disbelief, and a wild flutter of nerves. *No wonder I passed out,* she thought. *How’s a girl supposed to survive when he drops a line like that—with an intense glow like he’s the angel himself?*

She forced herself to calm down and locked eyes with him again, noting the soft flicker of expectation in his usually unreadable expression.

“In case you were wondering, I’d appreciate an answer this time before you lose consciousness again,” Landon teased, his lips quirking slightly as he pulled a small ring box from his pocket and sank to one knee.

Aurora laughed breathlessly, her heart full and unsteady. This was real. As she gazed into his eyes, memories poured in—late-night conversations, silent support during her low points, the laughter, the long waits, the hope.

And in those famously aloof blue eyes, she finally saw more than warmth built on friendship. She saw a subtle promise. Not fireworks, not fantasy. But something steady. Something she’d waited years for.

With a beaming smile, she extended her left hand and nodded vigorously. “Yes, Landon. Yes, I’ll marry you!”

The room erupted in applause and cheers as Landon slipped the ring onto her finger. Joy surged in Aurora’s chest, and Landon leaned in to place a soft, polite kiss on her cheek.

Their parents and grandfathers rushed forward, beaming with pride.

“Congratulations, dear!” exclaimed Catherine Wynter, who had been buzzing with excitement since learning of Landon’s plan. She grabbed her daughter’s hand. “We’re so thrilled about the union… Congratulations, baby.”

Landon’s grandfather, a stern but kind-eyed man who had doted on Aurora since the first time she called him Grandpa, stepped forward. “Landon, promise us you’ll love and treat Aurora well.”

There was a barely perceptible beat. Landon’s expression stiffened for a split second before settling into a neutral smile. “I’ll do my very best,” he said, his voice calm and deliberate.

A brief silence followed before the room exploded again into more applause.

Julian Wynter, Aurora’s father, clapped Landon on the back, managing a small smile. “That’s all any of us can ask for… Just don’t hurt her.”

His wife shot him a warning scowl, while Aurora gave him a grateful glance. Both women knew he hadn’t exactly been Landon’s biggest fan, but he loved Aurora enough to step aside for her happiness.

Her grandfather, on the other hand, remained silent. His sharp, shrewd gaze was fixed on Landon, jaw set tight. He didn’t say a word, but the look he gave promised hell if anything were to happen to his granddaughter.

The celebration carried on well into the evening. Friends, business partners, and acquaintances came forward to offer congratulations. Laughter and the clinking of glasses filled the hall. Aurora floated from dance to dance, a vision in a peach-colored gown that shimmered with every turn. The delicate lace, the intricate beadwork, the way her silky auburn hair swirled—it was like something out of a fairy tale.

Looking at her now, no one would have guessed she was once a timid flower who rarely left the house. Everything had changed after she met Landon. She had wanted to grow—for him. And although it had taken longer than she’d hoped, here she was now, dancing in his arms, a ring on her finger.

The hours flew by in a blur of warm smiles and familiar faces. Before long, the clock struck midnight, and the party began to wind down. Her parents were among the first to leave, followed by Landon’s family.

As the last guests trickled out, Landon approached. “I can drive you home, if you’d like.”

Aurora smiled. “Thank you, Landon, but my driver’s already here. You should go home and get some rest. You’ve had a long day.”

He looked reluctant but nodded. “You’re right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She nodded again, her smile soft. He leaned in, brushed her cheek with a kiss, and left.

Once alone, Aurora gathered her things and stepped out of the ballroom. Her heels pinched with every step, and she longed to rip them off—but she kept going, back straight, stride graceful. If her mom ever caught her barefoot on a red carpet, she’d kill her. Then kill her dad for not stopping it.

“No way I’m dying the day after my engagement,” she muttered, trying to laugh off the pain.

“Goodnight, Miss Wynter,” the receptionist called. Aurora waved and replied politely, “Goodnight.”

An hour later, the car pulled up in front of her villa. Aurora stepped out with the help of her driver.

“Are you alright, Miss Wynter?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” she lied with a smile, already half-dreaming of her bed.

She took a deep breath and started toward the door. After five steps, her heel snagged on the pavement. She pitched forward with a gasp—

“Son of a—” she began, but before she could hit the ground, someone caught her arm and steadied her.

“Thank you,” she exhaled, looking up with relief, expecting to see her driver.

But the face that met hers was not his.

Her eyes widened in surprise.