Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 906

Agnes sat beside them, her calmness a stark contrast to the emotional scene unfolding. "Ivan, congratulations! You're going to be a father," she said with a serene smile.

Ivan's eyes brimmed with tears, a mix of joy and disbelief painting his face. It took a while for him to compose himself. Then, turning to Mamie, he blurted out, "Mamie, let's get married."

Mamie froze, caught completely off guard.

Marriage had never crossed her mind; it was either too far-fetched or simply too frightening to consider. For a long time, she couldn't muster a response.

Her smile was bittersweet as she replied, "Ivan, are you kidding me? Everyone knows what we are to each other, the media buzzes about it. How can we possibly get married?"

But Ivan took Mamie's hand in his, "Mamie, I can't wait any longer. I know going public will put you through so much—slander, misunderstandings, and vilification. But I promise to protect you, to fight with everything I've got. I don't want to stay by your side as just your 'big brother' anymore. I can't bear the thought of our every touch being cautious. I love you, deep down to my very core. I long for us to have a home, to have children, to watch them grow under the sunshine. Mamie, please say yes. Let's get married."

Mamie was visibly moved, tears threatening to spill over.

Even in her most desperate and helpless moments, Agnes had never seen her shed a tear.

Strong women are often like that—withstanding the trials and tribulations of fate, yet undone by a tender gesture from the person they love.

Ivan, now overwhelmed, produced a small velvet box and opened it to reveal a diamond ring.

Ivan continued, "This ring... I've carried it every day for four years. Every single day, I dreamed of proposing to you. Now, finally, I have my chance. Mamie, marry me."

Mamie spoke through her tears, "You've been ignoring me these past few days. You've been seeing that lawyer Grandpa introduced, Ivan. Do you have any idea how much that hurt me? I thought you were really leaving me."

Ivan released Mamie, a look of confusion on his face, "When have I ever been seeing a lawyer?"

"You know, Lawyer Yasmin."

Ivan clarified, "Sure, I had a couple of meals with her, but it was all work-related. How could you misunderstand me like that? Plus, Yasmin's been married for ages—to Mansfield. Mansfield is the solicitor for The Tim Group. You could have just asked Jared; he would've told you."

Mamie muttered a reluctant acknowledgment, her denial as stiff as a duck's resistance, "So, I misunderstood you."