Wendy went to the garden to console Mary yet Steel was with her already. Mary was crying her heart out on Steel as Steel smiled sadly knowing that she must have been hurt by Aaron's words.
"I knew that Aaron lost his feelings after all this isn't the first time that I saw those eyes with pity." Mary said as Steel pat her head. "Why not reconsider my proposal instead?" Steel asked.
"We're not getting younger, It's been years now I just hope you will let me in your heart this time. I am not Aaron knor Jayden but I am Steel the person that loved you the most ever since we were kids." He said as he kissed Mary's hands.
Wendy sigh as she didn't expect such things to happen. Jayden walks towards her as Wendy sigh.
"Did you finally get to decide to marry my daughter?" She asked as Jayden nodded.
The air was crisp, the soft golden hues of the setting sun casting a serene glow over the garden.
Wendy sat on the edge of a wooden bench, her fingers delicately tracing the rim of her teacup that Jayden bought for her.
Jayden stood a few feet away, his hands tucked into his pockets as he took in the gentle rustle of leaves and the faint scent of blooming jasmine.
Jayden's voice broke the tranquil silence.
"I know people might think I'm drawn to Zackeeyah because she resembles you." His tone was measured, deliberate. "But that's not it."
Wendy turned her gaze to him, her brow lifting ever so slightly. "Oh? Then tell me, Jayden, what is it? Why her?"
Jayden stepped closer, his eyes steady and unwavering as he met hers. "She's... extraordinary. Fierce, kind, and unyielding in her beliefs. She has a fire in her that's entirely her own. Yes, she may remind me of you at times, but Zackeeyah is her own person."
Wendy's lips curved into a soft smile, though her expression remained curious. "And you're certain it's her? That it's not just a shadow of something familiar?"
Jayden crouched slightly to meet her eye level, his voice lowering as if sharing a sacred truth. "When I look at Zackeeyah, I don't see your reflection. I see her. The way she challenges me, how she lights up when she talks about her dreams, the depth in her laughter… it's all Zackeeyah. She's not your echo, Wendy—she's a symphony all her own."
Wendy studied him for a moment, her gaze softening. "You're sure about this?" she asked, her voice quieter now, almost hesitant.
Jayden nodded, a quiet conviction in his eyes. "I've never been surer of anything in my life. I don't just want to marry her because of what she is. I want to marry her because of who she is."
Wendy set her teacup aside, her hands clasping in her lap. After a moment, she spoke, her words tinged with warmth. "Then I suppose there's only one thing left for me to say."
Jayden straightened, anticipation flickering in his expression.
Wendy smiled fully now, the garden lights catching the pride in her eyes. "Welcome to the family, Jayden."
For the first time since their conversation began, Jayden's lips broke into a grin. "Thank you, Wendy. I promise I'll make her happy."
As the twilight deepened, Wendy looked up at the first stars peeking through the indigo sky, her heart filled with hope for the new chapter in her daughter's life.
"But you still know that this will still depends on what Zackeeyah thinks of you right? After all this is her future were talking about." She said as Jayden nodded since he is deeply aware about that.
'Looking back at Zachary's reaction maybe this will be hard for Jayden. It seems like he is not fond of Jayden being Zackeeyah's partner. He's been protective with his little sister all this time.' Wendy thought as Zade went to get Wendy since they have tons of things to discuss with.
Aaron on the other hand was anxious thinking about Anastasia.
"You didn't have to feel guilty all this time for Mary that you thought spending the rest of your life with her will amend for the sins you've done. His father deserve to die after all." Wendy started.
"This midnight will be Aaron's birthday, As a birthday gift we give you freedom." Zade said as he hold into his phone.
"I called Target, Halix and Knight to spend a month here in the Village of Mercy. If you can wait for two hours then-" Zade didn't finished his sentence as Aaron jump on him and hugged him.
"Thank you this really means a lot to me." He said as Zade smiled knowing what he meant about that. "It was actually the twins that talk things out with us. We met them at the hallway and they plead to let you assist Anastasia. They must have been moved by your love confession a minute ago." Zade said as Aaron smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry if I lied Boss." He said as he looked at Wendy who is a bit disappointed about Aaron hurting Mary more than she expect.
"I was not happy by what you've done with Mary but I am glad that you didn't wait for the both of you to get married and ruin her life for the sake of pity." Wendy said as she hold into Aaron's hands.
"Please be happy now." She said as Aaron nodded.
Two hours passed as Halix, Target and Knight arrived in the village of mercy. "I should leave now." Aaron said as he jump from the Veranda and immediately went to find Anastasia without approaching Target or knight anymore as time was ticking.
Anastasia on the other hand found the bandit's territory and destroyed everything as she feels disgusted by the blood covering all around her body.
Her body itself was also experiencing fatigue by the poison yet as she stab the last bandit she sigh and sat down on the corner as she lean on a tree to support herself from falling.
'Fvck, Atleast I found some samples of the poison they are making.' Anastasia said looking at the files she took from the bandit's leader.
She looked above and saw the moon rising above as her watch starts ticking. "I see, It's already Aaron's birthday." She said smiling as she saw a shadow walking towards her yet her body isn't responding anymore.
'Fvck, I'm on my limit now.' She said as she tried to stand up and point the gun on the shadow.
"Anastasia..." Aaron voice was low yet full of concern as the fog revealed his face as Anastasia's body collapse as she lean on the tree.
Aaron immediately went to her aid.
"Am I dead now? Why is Aaron here with me?" She asked as Aaron hugged her even if she was covered in blood.
"Let's get married Anastasia." He started as Anastasia looked at him confused. "Now I'm really convince that I'm dead." Anastasia said as she smiled.
"I will always say I do with that offer but Aaron will be happier if he's with Mary. He smiled like-" Anastasia stopped when he saw Aaron smiling genuinely just like the pic that she saw when Aaron was with Mary.
"He smiled freely like that in front of...me?" Anastasia said as her mind is still vivid since her body itself is tired from what she did to the bandit's.
"Your just too strong to stand next to me, in fact you stand in front of me." Aaron said as he starts crying.
"Anastasia, I didn't want to hurt you but I planned to get married to Mary because I was guilty this whole time for killing her father and for leaving her behind that's why I cannot be happy with you and yet knowing that your in trouble and this bandit's might kill you with their poison scares me the most." Aaron said as he open the ring he bought.
"Anastasia, Please be my Wife. Please let me protect and stand next to you. Please let me worry about you, Let me stay next to you, Please let me love you properly this time." Aaron almost whispered as he smiles at Anastasia.
"I love you with all my heart from the moment you I saw you at that garden. I love you as my heart aches seeing you like this. I know I said horrible things to you but please love me back." Aaron said as Anastasia just stared at the ring.
"I decided not to get married anymore Aaron." Anastasia said as she knew this isn't a dream anymore. "I worked this far to please and stand next to someone who did nothing but love another woman in front of me." Anastasia said.
"Yet even after all the things that you did my heart still calls your name. I beg the God's to be kind to me and let me have you yet it wasn't that easy. I love you so much that I could die right here now just by hearing from you that you love me too." She said as her eyes starts closing.
"I do Aaron, I do... Please take good care of me."