You Are Mine

Chapter 3

Rose sat on a park bench, the late afternoon sunlight filtering through the trees, casting dappled shadows over her as she wrote in her diary. The soft rustle of leaves and the distant laughter of children filled the air, but she was lost in her thoughts, her pen moving rhythmically across the pages.

Suddenly, a pair of hands covered her eyes from behind. For a brief moment, she froze, but the familiar warmth of the touch brought a smile to her face.

“Jace,” she said softly, her voice filled with certainty.

A mock sigh came from behind her. “How do you always know it’s me?” Jace asked, walking around the bench to sit beside her, his expression a mix of disappointment and amusement.

Rose looked up at him, her smile widening. “Your touch is unmistakable,” she replied, closing her diary and placing it beside her.

Jace’s lips curved into a grin as he sat closer, leaning in slightly. “What are you doing here all by yourself?” he asked.

“Writing,” she said simply, gesturing to her diary. “What about you? What brings you here?”

“Can’t I come to see my fiancée?” he teased, his tone playful.

“Yeah, yeah, you can,” she replied with a laugh, shaking her head at him.

They chatted for a while, their conversation flowing effortlessly as it always did. But Jace’s expression grew serious after a moment, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced with something more thoughtful.

“Rose,” he began, his voice soft but deliberate. “can I say something.”

“Why are you asking for permission?” she said, tilting her head. “Just say it.”

Jace hesitated for a moment before taking her hand in his. His touch was firm but gentle, his thumb brushing against her skin. “I think we should get married now,” he said, his eyes searching hers.

Rose blinked, taken aback by his sudden suggestion. “What?”

“Actually,” he continued, “I’m going back to the country soon, and I was thinking... maybe you could come with me.”

“Jace, isn’t this a bit... soon?” she asked, her voice cautious.

“It’s not, Rose,” he said, his tone steady. “It’s been two whole years since our engagement. Don’t you think it’s time?”

She opened her mouth to reply but found herself at a loss for words.

Sensing her hesitation, Jace squeezed her hand gently. “Take your time, Rose,” he said with a small smile. “I just hope you’ll say yes. I want to start this new chapter of my life with you as soon as possible.” His eyes were filled with love and a quiet determination.

Rose looked at him, her heart swelling with affection. “I’m ready,” she said softly.

Jace’s eyes widened in surprise. “What?”

“I’m ready to marry you,” she repeated, her voice firmer this time. “But I have one condition—we’ll get married here.”

Jace let out a relieved laugh, his shoulders relaxing. “That’s completely fine. I’ll call my brother and ask him to come here for the wedding.”

Rose tilted her head, curious. “You have a brother?”

“Yeah, my big brother,” Jace replied, smiling fondly.

“Did he come to our engagement?” she asked.

“No,” Jace admitted, shaking his head. “He was busy at the time. But I can show you his picture if you’d like.”

Rose nodded, her curiosity piqued. “Sure.”

Jace pulled out his phone, scrolling through his gallery until he found the photo he was looking for. “Here,” he said, handing her the phone.

As her eyes fell on the image, Rose froze. Her breath hitched, her smile faltering as a wave of unease washed over her.

“Rose?” Jace’s voice pulled her back to reality. He reached out to shake her gently. “Rose, are you okay?”

Her head snapped up, and she forced a smile onto her face. “I’m fine,” she said quickly, her voice a little too bright.

But Jace wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure? You looked like you saw a ghost.”

“Really, I’m fine,” she insisted, her tone light. “It’s nothing.”

Jace studied her for a moment longer before nodding, though the doubt lingered in his eyes.

Rose handed the phone back to him, her hands trembling slightly. She turned her gaze away, trying to suppress the unease that had taken root in her chest.

Whatever had just happened, she didn’t have an explanation for it yet. But deep down, she knew this was more than just “nothing.”