âBut then, he suddenly opened his eyes and asked me why I kept doing this. He admitted that he had known all along that I was secretly nurturing and caring for him.â
âHe asked if I wanted to be with him⦠I shook my head and tried to escape, but he pulled me back,â
the girl narrated, her face slowly turning red. âIt was a first for both of us that nightâ¦â
âAfter he had sobered up from the alcohol the next day, he proposed to me and asked for my hand in marriageâ¦â
âI wasnât sure if he just wanted to take responsibility for being the first man I slept with or⦠if he saw me as your replacement, but I accepted.â
âAfter that⦠the car accident happened.â Lyra looked up at Cherise sincerely. âCherise, Iâve been honest with you. I havenât lied to you at all⦠Can you help meâ¦â
Cherise was surprised. Everything Lyra had shared was completely unexpected.
She pursed her lips. âSo, are you still determined to marry Zachary?â
âMm-hmm!â The girl nodded earnestly. âHe was the one who proposed to me. I didnât force him to do it!
Iâm prepared to marry him. Iâll stay by his side even if he never wakes up.â
âI used to only be able to admire him from a distance, but now I can finally be close to him, even if heâs unconscious. I donât want to miss this opportunity!â
She took out her phone and played an audio clip recording of her and Zachary.
âZach! Iâm so happy! Can⦠can I have you repeat it into my phone?â
âSure.â Zacharyâs voice in the recording was cold yet polite. âDo I just speak normally?â
âYesâ¦â
âAlright. Ms. Lyra Quinnell, I, Zachary Miles, am proposing to you today. I hope you will marry me and stay with me for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?â
âI will! I willâ¦â
The recording abruptly ended.
After playing the recording, Lyra looked at Cherise hopefully. âIf I use this recording to register our marriage, will others think Iâm foolish?â
âAbsolutely not.â Cherise smiled. âYouâre incredible.â She had to admit that she was moved by Lyraâs deep affection. So, this girl⦠has silently loved Zachary for many years.
Cherise had known Zachary for many years and knew he wasnât impulsive. Since he had proposed to Lyra, he must have thought it through.
Taking a deep breath, she stood up, grabbed Lyraâs hand, and pulled her towards the door.
âTo the hospital!â
âTo the hospital!?â
âYes.â She winked at Lyra casually. âDidnât Kareen claim that youâre not worthy of taking care of Zachary? Letâs go there now and play this recording for her. Show her whoâs really unworthy!â
âI donât think thatâs very niceâ¦â Lyra pursed her lips. âYouâre the only one Iâve played this recording for, Cheriseâ¦â
âWhy are you afraid?â Cherise glanced at her. âIf you want to marry Zachary, you must face these challenges.â
âZacharyâs younger sister and family are like this. If you canât handle Kareen, how will you manage being in their family in the future? Youâll be taking care of an unconscious husband while being tormented by your sister-in-law. Youâll be exhausted sooner or later!â As Cherise spoke, she had already guided Lyra into the car.