Chapter 5 The Proposal

The teasing and cheering outside the door grew louder, rising in waves.

One of Willow's friends patted her on the shoulder and said with a grin, "Willow, why are you so nervous? One would think that you're nervous about your chances! You mean more to Declan than anyone. Of course, he'll say yes!"

"Exactly! You've been together for years. Besides, he's been waiting for this day forever. There's no way he'll turn you down!"

Lennox and Maya chimed in, both sounding absolutely certain.

Maya called gently through the bedroom door. "Declan, stop sulking. Willow's already swallowed her pride and apologized. Come on out."

Lennox cleared his throat before adding, "Declan, Willow's a wonderful woman, and she's put so much effort into this. Don't keep digging in your heels."

Every guest in the room held their breath, all eyes fixed on the tightly closed bedroom door.

The candlelight continued to flicker warmly while balloons floated near the ceiling. The entire area was buzzing with romantic excitement.

Everyone wore a sincere smile, eagerly waiting for me to open the door and accept the proposal I'd waited five years for, all to marry the woman I'd loved for so long.

I hovered in midair as a dense, dull ache spreading from my chest through my entire body until I could barely breathe.

I'd waited five whole years for this proposal. It had finally come, but it came under such absurd and ill-timed circumstances that it chilled me to the bone.

Time dragged on second by painful second. As the living room fell quiet, the faint smell of decay grew more distinct and increasingly pungent.

Someone in the crowd frowned and muttered under their breath, "Does anyone else smell that? Something doesn't smell right."

Others immediately chimed in, sounding equally confused and uncomfortable.

"Yeah, it's getting stronger. Something stinks. What's going on?"

Maya had always been very concerned with appearances. Now that there were so many friends and relatives watching, the smile on her face stiffened and she could no longer maintain her composure.

She hurried to the bedroom to get the spare key, putting on a casual smile as she raised her voice to smooth things over.

"Declan's just shy. He's just too embarrassed to come out!"

Then, she spoke at the door. "Declan, you've been looking forward to this day for so long! I'm opening the door, so stop hiding in there!"

There was a soft click, and the bedroom door swung open.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell across the bed, lighting up the silent room as colorful confetti burst into the air.

Willow walked slowly into the bedroom with a bouquet in hand before going down on one knee. Her clear, gentle voice carried through the room. "Declan, will you marry me?"

The moment she finished speaking, cheers and applause erupted throughout the living room, one wave after another.

I lay perfectly still on the bed, my body relaxed. I looked as though I were sound asleep, as though nothing was out of the norm.

Weston, who was standing in the corner, kept his eyes fixed on my unresponsive body, his gaze filled with bitter resentment and malice.

The room buzzed with celebration. Congratulations, applause, and laughter mingled in a chorus of joyous noise.

However, I remained in the same position, showing not a hint of response.

Willow called my name softly several times, her voice growing gentler as cautious hope crept into it.

"Declan? Can you hear me? Declan? Wake up. I'm here to marry you."

As time passed, the smile on her face slowly stiffened and faded. Eventually, the hope in her eyes gave way to growing panic.

"Declan? Stop fooling around. Come on, get up, okay?"

Maya panicked and hurried forward. She grabbed my right hand, trying to pull me upright.

"Declan! Enough with the tantrum! All these relatives and friends are waiting for you. Get up and apologize to everyone. Don't keep them—"

Alas, her words quickly died in her throat as she was left holding my right hand mid-air, while the rest of my body stayed firmly on the bed.

My right arm hung limp. Anyone with eyes could see that something had gone very wrong.

My body remained sprawled across the bed as the arm she held hung limp, only swaying slightly with her movement.

Maya froze before whipping around to stare at my body.

The laughter, cheers, and excited chatter stopped dead. Every smile vanished as everyone stared at the scene in stunned disbelief.

A deathly sort of silence fell over the room.