"You're late by three seconds," Ross said, his tone icy as he glanced at the clock. He sat back in his car, relaxed and composed, his eyes flicking over to Mary as she panted, still catching her breath from the mad dash.
"That means you didn't pass the test."
Mary's eyes widened in panic as she approached the car, her heart racing. She had been running, pushing herself to the limit, doing everything she could to arrive on time.
She had been warned—one minute, no more. If she couldn't make it, she would lose everything. She had been so close, so sure she could make it, but now it seemed like she had failed.
The weight of that failure hit her like a ton of bricks.
She took a few shaky steps toward him, her voice desperate.
"Ross, please... give me another chance," she pleaded, her words catching in her throat. "I swear I can do it. I'll show you... I'll do anything for you. Anything you say. Just make me your woman also."
