As I lay in the hospital bed, memories came crashing back.
Before my family's downfall, both Beck and Emmett had pursued me romantically. I picked Emmett and bore him a daughter, only to lose her prematurely.
Soon after, my family went bankrupt.
My former mother-in-law resented me for no longer being able to support Emmett's business and began making my life unbearable. She even threatened to take her own life just to force Emmett to divorce me.
With nothing left and no one to rely on, I endured a long, exhausting struggle simply to survive.
One day, Beck entrusted me with a flower shop. He gently tucked a sunflower into my hair and said, "Maren, may you always grow toward the light."
It was then that I truly noticed him. He had been protecting me quietly all along.
After a year together, I realized what I felt wasn't just gratitude or loneliness. It was genuine love. So when he confessed his feelings, I accepted them.
We spent three beautiful years together, and I loved him deeply.
Six months ago, we got engaged. Beck opened up about his wish for us to have a child together. Driven by that hope, I went through endless rounds of fertility treatments. I had planned to give him the news of my pregnancy as his birthday surprise.
But now, there was no longer a reason to.
…
Three days after I was discharged from the hospital, I returned to the home Beck and I now shared.
I found him in the kitchen, calmly cooking at the stove, wearing an apron.
When he saw me, Beck pulled me into a tight embrace and whispered, "I'm so sorry, babe. My leg cramped while swimming, and I lost consciousness after being rescued. I was out the whole time, which is why I couldn't contact you. I even made a full spread of your favorite dishes as my way of apologizing. Please don't be upset, okay?"
I broke down, collapsing against his shoulder in uncontrollable sobs. My thin frame and pale face would have shattered anyone's heart.
"You idiot! I searched the ocean for you for three whole days. I was terrified you'd been dragged out to sea… or eaten by sharks…"
Beck gently caressed my back, comforting me repeatedly. "This is my fault. I never should have put you through this. I promise I won't go snorkeling anymore. From now on, I'll always stay by your side."
I kept sobbing, struggling to steady my breath. Without thinking, I let out a secret he hadn't known.
"Emmett was the one who took me diving back then, which caused me to give birth prematurely and lose my daughter. From that moment, I promised myself I'd never go near the sea again. But when I believed you were in trouble, I didn't hesitate to jump in. Do you know how freezing that water was? How terrified and powerless I felt?"
Beck's body stiffened.
Once the shock faded, his eyes grew heavy with guilt. All the accusations of double standards he had leveled at me were never because I didn't love him.
Overwhelmed with regret, he held me close through the night. For the next few days, I remained close to him, my eyes heavy with longing.
My display of love touched Beck deeply. It only strengthened his resolve to make amends.
"Babe, the 28th is supposed to be a lucky day this month. Why don't we bring the wedding forward?"
Perfect. The fish had taken the bait.
