S Chapter 87 Being Chosen-2
Chapter 87: Being Chosen-2
She paused, swallowed hard.
“She was right.”
Her gaze lifted, locking with his.
“Maybe it’ll be messy. Maybe it’ll hurt. But I think it’s still worth it. Because trying-loving-it’s
not wrong. It’s brave. And I want to be brave. For this. For me. For you… for us.”
He reached across the table, hand settling over hers-warm and steady.
“So,” he said gently, “are you done running?”
Maya’s gaze dropped to their joined hands, her thumb brushing his.
“Yeah. I’m done.”
Something shifted between them-quiet and sure, like a knot finally loosening.
A small smile curved Damien’s lips. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go.”
She smiled back, cheeks flushed, eyes shining. “I’m not asking you to.”
Then she reached into her purse, hands trembling slightly as she retrieved something folded. Without a word, she placed the sketch in his hand.
Damien glanced down, brows furrowing. “What’s this?”
When he unfolded it, his breath caught.
A ring design. Simple, elegant-a small stone cradled in a setting shaped like two hands intertwined, forming an infinity symbol turned sideways.
One hand was unmistakably hers. The other-meant for the man who would hold her heart.
She gave it to him.
That made it his.
Not gripping. Not claiming.
But holding-gentle, steady, equal.
A symbol of love freely given… and fiercely cherished.
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Chapter 87 Being Chosen-2
He looked up, something raw flickering in his gaze.
Maya tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling softly.
“I drew that before I even met you…”
Her voice faltered. Eyes dropped, then lifted.
“Before I even knew love like this could exist.”
A breath escaped her, trembling.
“But… it was always about you.”
A quiet laugh broke from her lips, more wonder than humor.
“The way you’d challenge me. Protect me. See me.” She swallowed.
“I think… some part of me was already waiting for you.”
She paused, voice thickening.
“I was scared,” she whispered. “And I hurt you.”
Her fingers twisted in her lap before she looked up again.
“I pushed you away-not because I didn’t believe you. But because I was terrified.”
A shaky breath.
“Terrified that if I let myself have it all… it would vanish.”
A tear slipped down her cheek.
“This-us-it feels like a fairy tale. And I never thought I was meant for one.”
Her voice cracked.
“I didn’t know how to live in it. I was afraid I’d ruin it.”
Then she reached for his hand, anchoring herself to him.
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“But I’m not running anymore.” Her voice was steady now. “If you’re still willing to fight for us
… I will too. I’m ready.”
She leaned in, her fingers brushing his jaw.
“I choose you, Damien.”
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s Chapter 87 Being Chosen-2
Her words landed like a vow.
“Not for what you have. Not for what you’ve given me-or even what you could give me someday.”
Her gaze held his, wide open.
“I choose you because you make the world feel terrifying and safe. Because every part of me believes the life I’m meant to live… begins and ends with you. I choose you because my heart keeps whispering that you’re my person. I choose you because… I know I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Damien’s breath caught, his chest tightening. Her words had gone somewhere deep, raw, and real. His eyes darkened, shimmering with an intensity that made the room feel smaller-like it belonged only to them.
He reached out, cupped her cheek, thumb brushing her skin like a promise.
“Maya…” he whispered, voice thick. “You have no idea how much you’ve changed me… how much you are my life now.”
She glanced down at the sketch in his hand, then placed her hand over it.
“Last night, you said if you’d had a ring, the question would’ve been different. You said you wanted to do it right… that one day I’d be your wife. That if I said yes, you’d marry me on the spot.”
She pressed her hand more firmly over the sketch.
“So… consider this my way of saying yes. Maybe I’m not ready for everything all at once. But I’m ready for us. For this. For whatever comes next… and everything after.”
A breath trembled past her lips. A tear slipped down her cheek. But her smile was steady.
“I don’t have diamonds or promises wrapped in gold. I don’t come from a perfect past. But what I do have-what I am offering-is real.”
Her other hand found his.
“I’ll give you my trust. My loyalty. My heart-messy and healing and all in.”
Her voice wavered.
“After Jamie’s operation… once he’s safe and well, and after I graduate… when the world feels
a little less chaotic and if you still want this, still want me…”
She leaned in, their foreheads nearly touching.
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Chapter 87. Being Chosen-2
“Ask me again. I’ll be ready. Whenever you are… I’ll be there.”
For a moment, Damien forgot how to breathe.
The sketch was still in his hand, but all his focus had narrowed to her-the tears on her lashes, her breath brushing his skin, the soft, unsteady whisper that held the only answer he’d ever truly wanted.
His entire world tipped.
She had given him her heart. Willingly. Freely. With trembling courage and wide-open love.
Damien’s jaw clenched as emotion surged through him-raw, fierce, unrelenting. The part of him that had always been controlled and calculating shattered under the weight of her words.
She chose him.
Of all the people in the world… she chose him.
Not for his name. Not for the empire he commanded. Not because he could shield her or give her everything she never asked for.
But because she wanted a life with him.
Even if it scared her.
Especially because it scared her.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.