’ trip, and I was venting after a drunken spat with someone who assumed all women had to want kids. The same man who made his wife take care of their kids while he enjoyed his beer on the beach.

It had nothing to do with Adam and everything to do with wanting to be heard.

“You didn’t think to ask me?” I choked out.

“You didn’t think that you could have taken five minutes to ask me about that video?”

“I know, Hayley,” he said, shaking his head. “I was stupid. I was already vulnerable, and she got into my head.

I believed Miranda. I believed everything she said. And I let you go.

Then she admitted the truth.”

“What?” I gasped.

“Months ago. She slipped up during an argument. She told me the video was old, and she knew I’d overreact.

She said that she wanted me for myself and couldn’t stand that you had me.”

Tears stung my eyes. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She’d destroyed everything we had, and he let her.

“I ended things with her that night,” he continued.

“And I’ve spent every day since trying to figure out how to fix this. How to win you back.”

I shook my head, still completely overwhelmed.

“And this?” I gestured around. “What the heck is this?”

His lips curved into a small, nervous smile.

“This is me not waiting any longer…”

Adam reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box.

Then he dropped to one knee.

“Hayley, I love you. I never stopped. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m asking for it anyway.

Will you marry me? Right here, right now?”

I stared at him, my world spinning. Then, out of nowhere, it hit me.

Lena.

She’d planned this.

She’d asked me to make the dress because she knew.

And the truth? I still loved him.

So, I whispered my answer.

“Yes, Adam.”

Lena appeared almost instantly, carrying flowers and beaming like a woman who’d just pulled off the heist of the century.

“You said yes!” she cried, hugging me tightly. “I’m so sorry for how I treated you before, Hayley.

I didn’t see how much you meant to Adam until it was too late. Thank you for giving him another chance.”

Stylists and makeup artists seemed to appear out of nowhere. My parents showed up, looking both stunned and delighted.

No one knew if I’d say yes, but they’d all been ready.

I changed into the dress I’d made with my own hands, realizing it had been meant for me all along.

When Adam and I stood together at the altar, his hand in mine, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years.

Peace.

After the ceremony, the crowd had thinned, and the music played softly in the background. I stood on the balcony of the venue, the crisp evening air cooling my flushed cheeks.

My hands rested on the railing as I stared at the horizon, trying to process everything that had happened.

“Hey.”

Adam’s voice came from behind me. I turned to see him standing there, tie loosened, the soft glow of string lights making his eyes look even warmer.

“Hey,” I said quietly, my lips curving into a small smile.

He stepped beside me, his arm brushing against mine as we both looked out into the night.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head.

“I don’t even know what I am right now.

Happy? Overwhelmed? Still waiting for someone to yell ‘April Fools’?”

He chuckled, his gaze softening.

“It’s real, Hayley.

I promise.”

We fell silent for a moment before he spoke again, his voice more serious.

“I don’t deserve this. You. I know I messed up.

I let someone else’s lies break something beautiful, and I’ve hated myself for it every day since.”

I turned to face him, my heart tightening.

“You should’ve talked to me, Adam. I would have told you the truth. You hurt me so much when you left.”

His face crumbled just a little, his jaw flexing.

“I know.

And I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if you’ll let me.”

I stared at him for a long moment, searching his face for any doubt, any hesitation.

But there was none.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I whispered.

His lips curved into a smile, a mixture of relief and love.

“Yeah, you are,” he said.

He took my hand and kissed my knuckles, lingering for just a moment.

“This time, I’ll get it right.”

I smiled back, the truth settling deep in my chest.

“This time, we will.”

“Come, love. Let’s go get some cake and champagne.”

But before we left the balcony, he pulled me into his arms, and for the first time in years, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Source: amomama