“I was just talking nonsense,” she said, clenching her fingers.
Nelson remained calm, staring at her intently. “From now on, I can promise you there will be no other woman, and I won’t give up on you because of any pressure. Callie, can you trust me?”
Callie was taken aback by his sudden words.
The car radio was still on, the host’s voice turned down low, discussing some current events. Nelson continued, “In the past, I never thought about our future. After we lost the baby, I quit smoking.”
This surprised Callie. Nelson had a heavy smoking habit; quitting wasn’t something he could do easily. Reflecting on the past few days, he indeed hadn’t smoked.
“You…”
“I want to have a child with you,” he said slowly and deliberately. “I want to make up for the misunderstandings and regrets between us.”
After he finished speaking, he pulled out a small box from somewhere. He opened it to reveal a diamond ring, its sparkle making Callie slightly dazed.
Nelson unbuckled his seatbelt and, in the cramped car space, half-knelt in an awkward position. “Will you start this marriage over with me?”
Callie was too surprised to speak. She saw the moisture in his eyes and felt a lump in her throat.
Their marriage had started as a transaction. Now, as it was about to end, he knelt and proposed to her in a different manner, wanting to continue their relationship.
Callie’s emotions surged.
After a long while, she slowly asked, “Not a transaction?”
“Between us, it’s no longer a transaction,” Nelson smiled gently. His face was pale from illness but now seemed radiant. “I spent all night finding an open jewelry store to buy this ring. It might not be as expensive as the one I gave you when we first got married, but it carries different emotions. Don’t mind it.”
A man of such high status was willing to do this for her; how could she mind?
In the silent pause, the radio host suddenly interrupted with news: The Ellison family announced an alliance with Scott Group executive Jaquan.
Callie was stunned and exchanged a glance with Nelson.
The announcement meant Marilyn had compromised.
There had been rumors of Isaac’s domestic violence. Perhaps to cover up this scandal or because Nelson had publicly declared his commitment to Callie, Marilyn had no choice but to take the best option for herself-marrying Jaquan.
A new transaction began, and Ylosea’s landscape would change.
Nelson remained unaffected by the news, maintaining his position, waiting for Callie’s answer.
“Yes,” Callie sighed softly. She extended her finger, knowing that their marriage was no longer a transaction.
Nelson’s face lit up with joy as he slipped the ring onto her left ring finger and held her hand tightly, as if holding his destiny.
“I’ll go up with you to see your father.”
He pressed the central lock button to unlock the car.
Callie followed him obediently, holding his hand. “If I hadn’t agreed just now, would you have kept me in the car?”
Nelson laughed, “If you hadn’t agreed, I would still let you go.”
Love wasn’t about shackles and imprisonment; it was about hoping she could be happy and free.
Hearing this response, Callie felt satisfied. “I’m hungry.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“The porridge you made.”
“Alright.”
They knocked on the door. Reuben looked up and saw them holding hands. After the initial surprise came relief. “Come in.”