All Chapters of ONE NIGHT STAND WITH MY STEPFATHER : Chapter 11

All eyes were on me. The entire hall had gone quiet except for a few whispers. Alex stayed on one knee, ring box open, looking up at me with so much hope it almost hurt. The pressure felt heavy. Saying no right now, in front of Mum, Mark’s family, and all these important guests would create rumors that could spread fast. It would ruin Mum’s special day and hurt my reputation too. I swallowed hard. It was too public, too beautiful a moment to destroy. I gave Alex a small sign with my hand, telling him to get up. But he didn’t move. He knew this was his only chance. If he let me walk away now, I might ignore him forever. Seconds stretched into what felt like minutes. Mum watched from the stage with shining eyes. People started murmuring again. “Come on, say yes!” I couldn’t take it anymore. To protect my name and save the party, I let out a slow, soft “Yes.” The hall exploded with cheers. Alex rose quickly, slipped the ring onto my finger, and pulled me into a hug. People clap