Alpha Kilian’s gaze locked onto hers, and before he could stop himself, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he never wanted to let go. The embrace was sudden, almost desperate, and carried a weight that Nelly couldn’t quite understand. In that moment, it felt as though he was shielding her from something unseen, or perhaps clinging to her as if she were his anchor in a storm.
Nelly’s long, delicate eyelashes fluttered as she blinked in surprise. She hadn’t anticipated his sudden action, and for a brief moment, she froze in his embrace. But soon, she noticed something unusual-his body was trembling slightly. The faint quiver of his frame spoke volumes, revealing a deep-seated anxiety he seemed unable to suppress. “What’s wrong? What happened?” she asked softly, her voice filled with concern as she tilted her head to look at him.
Alpha Kilian didn’t respond immediately. He stayed silent for what felt like an eternity, holding her close as though letting go might shatter him. Finally, after a long pause, he murmured, “Nothing. I just wanted to hug you.” His voice was low, almost vulnerable, and it made Nelly’s heart ache. She smiled gently at his words and decided not to question him further. Instead of pushing him away, she allowed him to hold her, sensing that he needed this moment more than she could understand.
Time seemed to stretch as Alpha Kilian continued to hold her, showing no intention of letting go. It wasn’t long before their prolonged embrace began to draw the attention of passersby. Curious glances turned into lingering stares as the couple became the center of attention. Despite the looks, Nelly didn’t mind. She wasn’t embarrassed by their closeness, but she also thought they couldn’t just stand there hugging each other for the rest of the evening.
“Alpha Kilian, people are starting to stare,” she whispered, trying to gently coax him into letting her go. Her voice was calm, but there was a teasing undertone in her words. “I don’t care,” Alpha Kilian replied without hesitation, his voice steady and nonchalant, as though the opinions of others didn’t matter to him in the slightest.
Nelly sighed softly, deciding to try a different approach. “But it’s getting hard for me to breathe,” she said, her voice tinged with humor. The moment those words reached his ears, Alpha Kilian froze, clearly realizing how tightly he had been holding her. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he loosened his grip and took a step back. His dark eyes were filled with guilt as he gazed at her, his expression a mixture of regret and worry.
Noticing his troubled demeanor, Nelly tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing in concern. “What’s going on? What happened to you?” she asked again, her voice soft yet probing. She could sense something was off, even if she didn’t know exactly what it was. Alpha Kilian met her gaze and knew immediately that it would be difficult to deceive her. She had a way of seeing through him, no matter how hard he tried to hide his emotions.
After a moment of thought, he finally spoke, his voice quiet and filled with a hint of sadness. “It’s nothing. I just remembered the past… and realized I’ve failed you in so many ways.” His words carried a weight that made Nelly’s chest tighten, but she quickly shook her head, refusing to let him dwell on such thoughts.
“Didn’t you say you’ve already regained your memories?” she asked, her tone curious but gentle. Alpha Kilian nodded slightly. “Most of them, yes,” he admitted. “But some details… they’re only just coming back to me.” His gaze lingered on her, searching for reassurance. Nelly’s expression softened as she nodded thoughtfully, her eyes filled with understanding.
“Alpha Kilian, you don’t owe me anything,” she said firmly. “If anything, you lost your memory because of me. I’ve never blamed you for anything, so you shouldn’t blame yourself either.” Her words were sincere, and they carried the warmth of someone who truly cared for him. But Alpha Kilian shook his head, his expression troubled.
“But I do blame myself,” he confessed. “I blame myself for forgetting you, for hurting you, and for not being there when you went through so much.” His voice cracked slightly, revealing the depth of his guilt and regret. Nelly’s eyes softened as she reached out to take his hand.
“Says who?” she countered gently. “You were by my side when I was in danger at the hospital. Do you really think I’ve forgotten how you shielded me and took several stabs on my behalf? I remember it all so clearly. During that time, I felt your presence with me, like you never left, not even for a moment.” Her words seemed to touch something deep within him, and Alpha Kilian leaned closer, cupping her face in his hands.
“Really?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Nelly nodded, offering him a small, reassuring smile. His lips curled into a faint smile as well, but his eyes darkened slightly, as though there was more he wanted to say.
Nelly noticed the shift in his expression and held his gaze, sensing that something about his behavior was unusual that evening. There was an intensity in his eyes, a weight behind his actions, that she couldn’t quite place. “Are you planning to stand here all night?” she teased lightly, breaking the silence. “The three kids are still waiting for us, you know.”
Alpha Kilian’s gaze flickered, and he turned his head to look. Sure enough, the trio of children was watching them intently, their little faces filled with curiosity and amusement. The sight brought a smile to his face, and for a moment, the tension in his shoulders eased. “Let’s go,” Nelly prompted, tugging gently on his hand.
Alpha Kilian nodded, and as they began walking, their hands naturally intertwined, fitting together as though they had done it a thousand times before. The gesture was effortless, instinctive, and comforting. When they returned to their seats, the children’s mischievous gazes remained fixed on them, their expressions filled with expectation.
“What is it? Just say what’s on your mind,” Alpha Kilian said, raising a brow as he addressed them. Donna was the first to speak, her little hand shooting up as if she were in a classroom. “I’ll go first!” she announced boldly.
Alpha Kilian gestured for her to continue, his expression amused. “Daddy,” Donna began, her tone serious despite the playful sparkle in her eyes. “You took advantage of Nelly in front of all those people. Don’t you think you should take responsibility for it?” Her words were bold and direct, causing Alpha Kilian to chuckle softly.
“You’re right. I should,” he replied, nodding in agreement. Donna didn’t miss a beat. “So how are you planning to take responsibility?” she pressed. “What about marrying her?” The suggestion came out so naturally that it left both Alpha Kilian and Nelly momentarily speechless.
“Deal!” Donna exclaimed before anyone could respond, grinning from ear to ear. Nelly, however, was stunned. “Wait a minute-does my opinion not matter here?” she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Donna shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Nelly, it’s hard to find someone as handsome as Daddy. Plus, having someone like him around will be a treat for your eyes. You should just take him!” she declared with a giggle.
Alpha Kilian nodded in agreement, leaning closer to Nelly. “I don’t eat much, I’m great at making money, and I work hard. What’s there to think about?” he whispered, his tone playful. Nelly frowned, her cheeks flushing slightly. For some reason, his words carried a double meaning that made her feel flustered. Meanwhile, the children’s eyes darted between them expectantly, waiting for her response.
After a moment of thought, Nelly gazed at him and nodded. “Okay. I accept.” Her words were calm, almost casual, but they left Alpha Kilian completely stunned. He stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Are you serious?” he asked, his voice filled with cautious hope.
Nelly nodded again, her expression unchanging. “Yes,” she replied simply. Alpha Kilian continued to gape at her, unable to process her answer. After all, he had asked her this question countless times before, and she had never given him a clear response. Now that she had, he couldn’t believe it was real.
“Stop joking. I might actually take you seriously,” he said, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as he searched her face for any sign of teasing. Nelly chuckled softly. “Then take me seriously,” she said, her voice steady.
Alpha Kilian’s gaze grew more intense, and his expression shifted into something unreadable. “Tony, Ben, Donna…” he called, his voice firm.
“Huh?” the children responded in unison, their heads tilting in curiosity.
“Close your eyes,” Alpha Kilian instructed. The children froze momentarily, exchanging glances, but they quickly obliged, squeezing their eyes shut as though they already knew what was about to happen.
Nelly was about to protest, but before she could get a word out, Alpha Kilian leaned forward and kissed her. The suddenness of his action left her utterly stunned, her thoughts scattering as the world seemed to fade away.