Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Jonathan took a deep, steadying breath and nodded at Mr. Levine with a humble acceptance that showed both his respect and sincerity. "I understand, Mr. Levine," he replied while his voice remained unshaken yet filled with determination. "I know I'm not there yet, but I promise, I'll work to become a man worthy of Laura...worthy of the love and respect your family has shown me." He paused, his gaze moving to Laura, with a soft, almost vulnerable warmth in his expression as his tone softened. "So, when you feel I've truly earned it—when you think I'm finally worthy of you—marry me then."

His heartfelt words lingered in the room, filling it with a gentle, solemn tension. With a final, genuine smile, he inclined his head respectfully, then turned to Laura's parents, bowing slightly before excusing himself. There was a sense of finality in the way he held himself as he walked toward the door. His gaze still held a trace of hope as he glanced back one last time at Laura. He gave her a faint, reassuring nod, as though promising her that he would fulfill every word he'd spoken, before stepping outside and letting the door click softly behind him.

And so in the silence that followed, Laura was frozen in her seat. Her heart still raced as her mind swirled with thoughts that she could barely keep up with. But her father's hearty, sudden laughter broke through the tension, and she looked over to see him grinning broadly, clapping his hands together in genuine amusement.

"Did you see that?" Mr. Levine chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "The boy's turned into a man, right in front of us! So, Laura, what do you think? Do you like him better now?" he teased, his voice filled with a lightheartedness that contrasted with the seriousness of the moments just before.

Laura felt her cheeks heat up. She could feel her heart still fluttering from Jonathan's earnest declaration. She wanted to say something, anything, but no words came out. Her silence betrayed the truth more than she intended.

Mr. Levine raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as he took her silence as a clear answer. "Aha, thought so!" he chuckled, patting her on the shoulder in approval. "I always knew there was something more between the two of you."

Laura felt a hint of embarrassment.

Her father gave her shoulder another firm pat, a glint of pride and encouragement in his eyes. "You'd best get ready, Laura," he said with a playful wink. "Mark my words, that boy will be back for you. And something tells me, when he does, he'll be the man he promised to become."

Mrs. Levine smiled warmly, wrapping an arm around Laura as her husband walked away with a satisfied air. "Oh, sweetheart," she murmured, giving Laura's hand a gentle squeeze, "perhaps tonight is the start of something new... especially for you."

Laura lingered in the quiet, watching as her parents walked toward the dining room, her father still chuckling softly and her mother smiling, a knowing look in her eyes. The idea of Jonathan pursuing her seriously—after everything that had happened—left her feeling unsettled but, oddly enough, a small spark of warmth bloomed alongside the uncertainty.

A small, grateful smile tugged at her lips as she looked up in a silent thanks to whatever force had guided him to this moment of clarity. Maybe she wasn't fully ready to welcome him into her heart with open arms. But for the first time in a long time, she felt as if perhaps there was something real waiting for her on the other side of this journey—if she was willing to take the chance.

Meanwhile, Jonathan stepped into the entryway of his parents' home, glancing around until his gaze landed on his father. Mr. Reed had just emerged from his study with a book in one hand and his reading glasses still perched on the bridge of his nose. As he noticed Jonathan standing there with an uncharacteristic look of resolve, he lowered his glasses, eyeing his son with curiosity.

"Jonathan," he greeted, his tone edged with mild surprise. "Why are you standing there at this hour?"

Before Jonathan could answer, Mrs. Reed appeared from the kitchen with teacup in hand, pausing as she noticed her son's intense expression.

And so, Jonathan didn't waste a moment. "Dad, I want to work at the company." His voice was steady, carrying a weight his parents hadn't heard before. "If Nathaniel isn't coming back to handle things, then I'll take it on."

Mr. and Mrs. Reed exchanged a look, stunned into silence. They both knew how much Jonathan had once scoffed at the idea of joining the family business, dismissing it as "boring" and "unimaginative." Yet now, hearing him speak with such conviction stirred a deep pride within them.

Mr. Reed finally broke the silence, chuckling as he closed his book and placed it down on the center table. "Son... why the sudden change of heart?" He stepped toward Jonathan, placing a hand on his shoulder and guiding him to the couch.

Once they'd all settled, Mrs. Reed set the teacup aside and joined them with her eyes fixed on Jonathan out of concern and curiosity.

"I'll say it again, Dad. I want to inherit the company. Teach me what I need to know," Jonathan said firmly. "I know I'm not as sharp as Nathaniel, but I'll give my all for the company's future." The sincerity in his voice left his parents momentarily speechless.

After a pause, Mr. Reed's expression softened. "Son... have you always felt you were in competition with your brother? Is that why you've stayed away from all this?" he asked, his tone finally growing serious, while Mrs. Reed looked at her son with gentle concern.

Jonathan hesitated, glancing down. "I know you've always admired Nathaniel, his discipline, his record. It made sense that you'd want him to take over." He sighed, as though unburdening years of silent self-doubt.

Mr. Reed leaned forward, placing a reassuring hand on Jonathan's shoulder. "Jonathan, we've never compared you to your brother. Nathaniel's achievements are his, but you have your own strengths. We respect who you are—independent, strong-willed, and driven. This choice... it's yours, and it's remarkable."

"You're both our sons, and we're proud of each of you in different ways." Mrs. Reed's laughter filled the room as she settled her surprise, still chuckling as she continued, "And, your brother was never interested in the company, you know. That's why he chose to study abroad and build his own path."

Jonathan blinked, processing this revelation. "Wait... what?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

Mr. Reed nodded as a gentle chuckle escaped him, though his eyes carried a flicker of sadness. "Before Nathaniel left, he made it clear he didn't want anything to do with the family business. He was more rebellious than you ever were, Jonathan. We thought he'd grow out of it, but... well, he never came back and barely kept in touch. I suppose he was always determined to follow his own road." Despite his words, a faint shadow of longing flickered in his gaze.

Mrs. Reed's comforting hand touched his arm, anchoring him. She wasn't one to dwell on painful memories and looked at Jonathan with warmth, swiftly steering the conversation back. "But enough about that," she said, a smile lifting her tone. "What brought on this sudden interest in your father's company, hmm?"

Jonathan looked away, feeling a moment's hesitation, but then, knowing he had nothing to hide to his own parents, he took a steadying breath and faced them. "I want to marry Laura," he confessed.

A stunned silence fell over the room, followed by a sudden clatter as something shattered against the floor. Jonathan turned, stifling a laugh as he caught sight of Tabitha stepping out from behind the wall, looking sheepish while her hands held what remained of their mother's favorite vase.

Mrs. Reed gasped, her shock turning quickly to light scolding. "Tabitha!" she called, moving to her daughter and giving her a gentle swat on the back. "That vase was from our wedding!"

Tabitha offered an apologetic smile. "I was... just trying to listen quietly!" Her laughter became contagious, filling the room as her parents joined in, and for a moment, everything lifted, leaving only warmth and laughter in its place.