THE SECOND CHANCE LOVE

"Will you marry me, Alyssa?" Everyone froze as the words escaped the lips of the tall man with dark, flowing hair and eyes as deep as the night sky. Just by looking at his expression, everyone knew he wasn't joking. And Alyssa thought the same. "Brent!" Liana exclaimed suddenly. The woman rushed over to hug her son. "Finally, you're here!" Liana cried. After being taken aback by Brent's statement, Liana seemed overjoyed to welcome him. Leading Brent over to Mitchell, Liana looked ecstatic. Meanwhile, Alyssa still seemed lost in shock. Her eyes were swollen and slightly puffy as she stared at Brent before her. Alyssa had never seen this man before. Never. What did this all mean? Brent?! Alyssa screamed inwardly as she realized the familiar name. "Mitchell, this is Brent. You remember him, right? He's my son," Liana explained. Mitchell, lying helpless on the hospital bed, could only manage a smile. "So... you want to marry... my daughter?" Mitchell asked. At that moment, Alyssa finally snapped out of the confusion clouding her mind, shifting her gaze to her father. Her mouth wanted to voice protests, but they were halted as Brent spoke up first. "I'm willing to marry Alyssa," Brent stated firmly and clearly. "Are you sure?" Davis, Brent's tall and athletic father, finally spoke up, wanting to confirm his son's words. Brent looked at Davis and replied, "I'm sure, Dad." Oh, God! How did it come to this? Why like this? Alyssa truly didn't know how to react to this situation. No. More accurately, she hadn't truly shown her reaction yet. But the newcomer had already helped Alyssa decide everything. It was as if Alyssa had no choice. But, do I really have a choice, anyway? Alyssa thought. Her father, her father, was lying on that hospital bed, dying. Clearly, there was no other choice. In just one day, everything felt unreal to Alyssa. It was difficult for her to understand and believe that she would truly become the wife of a man she barely knew beyond his name. Jordan Brent Davis, Alyssa knew that name and often heard it among successful business people. Alyssa remembered when one of her friends had admired that man. Not only was Brent working for the biggest business company, but he was also a lecturer at one of the universities. Crazy! Alyssa really wanted to reject her fate. A fate that forced her to marry and embark on married life with a stranger to her. If all this truly happened, what would Alyssa's future life be like? Who knows? Right now, everything seemed so uncertain to Alyssa. "I marry, and I wed thee, Jordan Brent Davis, to Alyssa Grace Mitchell with a dowry of a set of prayer tools, in cash." Alyssa's mind struggled even more to find its clarity as the officiant had just pronounced the marriage vows while firmly shaking Brent's hand in front of her father, who would soon undergo surgery. Alyssa's heart fluttered as she observed Brent, who seemed unwavering, even in such a ludicrous situation. In her heart, Alyssa even wondered what was going through Brent's mind to willingly plunge himself into this absurd situation. Did Brent pity her? Was Brent unable to bear seeing her confusion after Mitchell's request? "I accept the marriage and wed Alyssa Grace Mitchell with that dowry, in cash." And all the questions in Alyssa's mind melted away as Brent recited the vows smoothly, firmly, and clearly. "How about the witnesses? Valid?" Immediately, everyone in the white-themed room echoed 'valid' simultaneously. Signifying that Alyssa and Brent were now officially husband and wife. I'm not dreaming anymore, right? Alyssa thought. Yesterday, Alyssa was still laughing and chatting with her friend, Hiro. Yesterday, Alyssa was still insisting on rejecting Hiro's suggestion to find a boyfriend because she believed romance at her age would only potentially distract her from focusing on her life goals. But now, look at her, Alyssa Grace Mitchell has officially adopted the Davis surname behind her name. It was so absurd. It was so absurd that Alyssa couldn't even laugh. Meanwhile, Mitchell, now smiling, relieved and grateful to see his only daughter marrying a man whom Mitchell believed would be able to take his place in looking after Alyssa. Mitchell was confident that Brent would be able to provide everything more than what he had provided for his little girl. The marriage ceremony was truly over. Alyssa and Brent, sitting side by side, were now looking at each other. Brent gazed at Alyssa with a look that was hard to decipher. His gaze seemed to delve deep into her soul, searching for something unspoken. There was something in the way Brent looked at her that made Alyssa feel trapped between fear and curiosity. It was as if Brent held a secret he couldn't share, yet somehow, Alyssa wanted to know more. A strange warmth enveloped Alyssa's heart. It brought a pleasant foreign feeling to her. Slowly, her heart was covered by a different warmth. A warmth that slightly melted her anxiety and worries about her father's condition. The moment was so intense, as if time paused momentarily to allow them to understand each other without words. Alyssa felt mixed up, but Brent's gaze, though difficult to interpret, provided a glimmer of confidence that maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay. "Mitchell? Honey?!" Anna's panicked shout followed by the loud sound of the heart monitor finally shattered all the euphoria Alyssa felt. "Dad!" Alyssa exclaimed as she stood up, rushing to her father. Alyssa saw it. Alyssa saw her father's eyes closed shut. His face was pale, and his lips no longer showed the smile from moments ago. No. Alyssa would never be able to bear it if the worst were to happen. Alyssa's world would crumble if Mitchell left. "Dad, don't leave me!" Alyssa pleaded inwardly. Doctors and nurses rushed into the room, gently but firmly pulling Alyssa away from her father's bedside. They immediately began life-saving measures, but the monotonous and irregular sound of the heart monitor continued to haunt Alyssa's ears. Brent stood stiffly, a sense of helplessness engulfing him. He wanted to approach, wanted to provide support, but something held him back. Perhaps fear, perhaps uncertainty. Anna cried uncontrollably, her hands covering her mouth as if trying to hold back her sobs. The atmosphere in the room became even more tense. "Please, Mitchell, wake up!" Anna's voice sounded full of hope, almost like a prayer. Alyssa felt Brent's hand reaching for her shoulder, offering a little comfort amidst the panic. But her heart was too shattered to feel comfort. Her eyes were fixed on her father's unmoving body, as if waiting for a miracle to happen. Time seemed to pass so slowly, as if every second was torture. Then, suddenly, the sound of the heart monitor changed. The previously monotonous rhythm now showed a hint of life. The doctor shouted instructions, and the atmosphere in the room became more dynamic. However, amidst the tension, Alyssa felt that something was amiss. She turned to Brent, and their gazes met. Brent looked shaken, his eyes no longer able to hide the panic. Alyssa realized that there was something Brent hadn't told her yet. Something important. But before she could inquire further, a doctor approached with a serious expression. "We'll do our best. Now, everything depends on Mitchell's strength." Alyssa held her father's cold hand, tears streaming down her face. "Dad, please hold on..." To be continued