Page 159 of From Rivals to I Do

He kneels on one knee before starting his speech.

“Rayne

It feels like yesterday you bumped into my life, my head, my heart, and now I want you to bump into my family. Today, I stand before you with a heart full of love and a soul brimming with happiness.

From the moment we met, I knew you were special. My love for you goes beyond just you. It extends to Charlee, who has captured my heart just as much as you have. In front of you and everyone, I promise to love her as my child as much as I love you.

I promise to always be there for her, to support her dreams and aspirations, and to guide her through life’s challenges. I will be a father to her, someone she can count on and trust.

As I look into your eyes, I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Rayne, will you make me a happy man today and do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you allow me to love you and your daughter forever?

I promise to always be there for you and your Charlee, to love you unconditionally, and to cherish every moment as we grow old together.

What do you say, Rayne? Will you grow old with me?

As I nod my head in agreement, stretching my hand for him to insert the ring, I can’t control the tears. This man loves me and loves my daughter, which is by far the greatest gift for me.

***

The next morning

As I open my eyes, the bright sunlight streams in through the window, indicating that it’s already morning. But as I sit and rub my eyes, I realize that I am not in

my bed. I look around and see that I’m in Leonard’s bed, and as I remember the events of the previous night, a smile spreads across my face. I bring my left

hand to my face. The ring is still there—a gorgeous silver sterling ring with a huge diamond rock on it.

As I reach for my phone to check the time, I see that I have multiple notifications. Curious, I open one of them, and I am surprised to see my face on the front

page of a publication. I scroll down, my heart beating faster. The article is about me and Leonard.

It’s both thrilling and terrifying to see our faces plastered all over the news. The stories are mixed. Some of the publications have positive remarks praising our

love story and how we met. But as I continue to read, I realize that not all the publications are as pleasant.

Some call me a “gold digger,” implying that I’m only with Leonard for his money. Others emphasize the fact that I’m a single mom as if it’s something shameful. It is disheartening for me.

But as I look over at Leonard, who is still sound asleep next to me, I know that we have something special that can withstand any kind of scrutiny. I get out of

bed to freshen up and make breakfast. I smile to myself at the thought of making breakfast for my fiancé. The thought of being his wife seems unreal. He makes

me so happy. In all those tears I shed with Reece, I never knew this level of love existed.

Chapter twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-Two

It is Wednesday afternoon, almost a month since the proposal. I have received a lot of both congratulatory and not-so-congratulatory messages, especially from past girls who threw themselves at me for money. Rayne is handling the lashes with grace, and I couldn’t be prouder.

I am getting ready to start a meeting with a new potential investor. Suddenly, my cell phone buzzes. I pull it out of my pocket and check to see who is calling. It is Rayne.

“Hello?” I answer, excusing myself from the table.

“Leonard?” she frantically says on the other end.

“What’s the matter?” I ask, panic starting to overtake me.

---