All Chapters of THE VALENTINE PROPOSAL : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

~LIORAAs early as 7:30 a.m., I pulled into the parking lot of the Maple View Motel. Before getting out, I glanced up at the faded sign standing at the entrance, just to make sure I was at the right place.Price had told me he'd be staying at this specific Motel.Sure enough, I was at the right place.I stepped out of my car and locked it before making my way toward the short flight of stairs leading to the second floor. Pulling out the small piece of paper I'd written the address on the night before, I quickly checked the room number again.Room 12.It didn't take me long to find it. I raised my hand and knocked once.Then I paused. I knocked twice. Then paused again, before knocking one more time.It was the specific pattern Price had instructed me to use so he'd know it was me standing outside.A few seconds later, I heard the locks clicking open one after another before the door slowly creaked open. Price cautiously peeked his head outside, his sharp eyes scanning the walkway in

~EVERETTThe doctor led me to Liora's room the minute I arrived at the hospital. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears with every step I took down the hallway. The moment the doctor pushed open the door, my eyes immediately landed on her.She was lying motionless on the hospital bed.An oxygen mask covered the lower half of her face, while an IV line ran into the back of her hand. Her usually vibrant face looked pale, making my chest tighten painfully.I slowly walked over to her bedside and lowered myself into a squat beside the bed. Reaching for her hand, I gently wrapped my fingers around hers and gave it a light squeeze before lowering my head until it rested against the edge of the mattress."When is she going to wake up?" I asked quietly without taking my eyes off her.The doctor, who had remained standing beside me, glanced at the chart in his hands before answering."We're not entirely sure yet. Fortunately, she didn't suffer any major burns. She inhaled

~LIORAEverett insisted that I return to the penthouse with him while he hired movers to pack up everything from my apartment.But I refused.I wanted to organize my things myself before the movers started throwing the wrong things into the wrong boxes."Are you sure you don't want to go home and rest?" Everett asked as we drove toward my apartment. "I can pack everything for you without the movers' help."I shook my head."I already told you, I feel fine. I'll pack everything this morning, and by evening, you can come pick me up."He glanced at me again, his eyes filled with concern."You just got discharged from the hospital, Liora. The doctor said you should take it easy.""And the doctor also said I was perfectly fine. Besides, it's just some easy work."He let out a sigh, clearly knowing he wasn't going to win this argument."You're incredibly stubborn."A smile tugged at my lips.He chuckled under his breath and reached across the seat and pulled me closer, gently pressing my

~LIORASoft, warm sunlight filtered through the tiny crack in the curtains, spilling straight onto my face.The second I opened my eyes, I squeezed them shut again before rolling onto my side. A soft yawn escaped my lips as I slowly blinked, allowing my eyes to adjust to the morning light.I felt so calm and serene, like every nerve and bone in my body was finally at peace.The chaos of the past week felt as though it had all been left behind.I had almost forgotten I wasn't sleeping alone until I felt a strong arm wrap more firmly around my waist, gently pulling me against a warm chest.I bit my lower lip to suppress a smile before turning to face him.Everett was still asleep beside me.His lips were slightly parted, and his face looked so peaceful that I couldn't bring myself to even think about waking him. Instead, I simply lay there, quietly admiring every inch of his face, from his neatly shaped eyebrows to the long lashes resting against his cheekbones as he slept peacefull

~LIORADiella kept the gun pressed firmly against my side as she barked out directions, forcing me to drive wherever she wanted. My fingers tightened around the steering wheel as I followed every instruction she gave, too terrified to do anything else."You don't have to do this, Diella," I said, keeping my eyes on the road. "You can still put the gun down.""Then stop talking," she snapped without taking her eyes off me. "I know exactly what I'm doing, and I have to do this. So keep driving before I blow your brains out."I swallowed the lump rising in my throat and forced myself to stay silent. The city gradually disappeared behind us, replaced by long stretches of empty road. The farther we drove, the more isolated everything became, and with every passing minute, the sinking feeling in my chest only grew heavier.Eventually, she told me to turn onto a narrow dirt road. A few seconds later, she ordered me to stop.The car rolled to a halt in front of an abandoned building.The mo