This was it.
The moment that could change the rest of my life.
43
JIYA
Iwas grateful for the weekend escape.
The past few weeks had been relentless. Between managing the cafés, checking in on the restaurant, and caring for Lucas and Emma, my days had blurred into one long stretch of responsibility. By the time Friday arrived each week, my body often felt heavy with exhaustion, and my mind was cluttered with unfinished lists.
This trip felt like a deep breath I had forgotten to take.
The luxury of the resort, the calm of the forest surrounding us, and the rare stillness without the usual rush of work or the joyful chaos of the children had slowly begun to restore a sense of Zen inside me.
I had felt the tension leave my body under the gentle pressure of the masseur’s hands earlier that afternoon. By the time I returned to the villa to get ready for dinner, I felt lighter and refreshed.
I changed into a dark-cherry cocktail dress, excited for date night with Cole. It had been too long since we had time that belonged only to the two of us.
When I walked into the bar, my eyes immediately found him.
Cole stood near the counter waiting for me, a glass of Coke in his hand—his favourite non-alcoholic drink. The soft lighting of the room caught the edges of his profile.
He looked handsome.
When he noticed me, he placed his drink down and walked toward me.Without saying a word, he reached for my hand. His fingers wrapped gently around mine as he led me outside along a path that curved through the trees.
As we walked, twilight slowly descended around us. The sky deepened into shades of violet and blue.
When we reached the clearing, I stopped in my tracks.
The view took my breath away.
Mountains rose quietly in the distance, their dark silhouettes reflected in the calm water below. Near the shore stood a delicate floral frame wrapped with strands of soft fairy lights that glowed warmly against the gathering dusk.
A small table had been set close to the water.A bottle of champagne rested in an ice bucket.Nearby, a blanket lay spread across the grass, surrounded by glowing candles and lanterns that flickered softly in the evening breeze.
It felt magical and intimate.
Beautiful in a way that made my heart swell quietly in my chest.
Cole turned toward me and took both my hands in his.
His fingers were warm.
When our eyes met, my pulse quickened.
“Jiya,” he said. His voice was full of emotion. “I’ve known you for a little over two years now.”
I watched him carefully, sensing the seriousness in his tone.
“I was a broken and hopeless man,” he continued.He paused briefly and licked his lips before speaking again.“You barged into my house and came into my life… and you saved me.”
A small smile touched my lips as the memory returned.
That moment had changed both of our lives.
“You’ve been through so much in your life. And you deserve the very best. Someone who will back you up without limits, let you grow without borders, and love you without end.”
