The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 175

Promises After Pain

HANNAH’S POV:

LATER THAT EVENING:

Tonight was shaping up to be another round of celebration. But this one came with a surprise that only a select few of us knew about.

Although Martin had told Lucas that he was away on a business trip and couldn’t make it to our post-trial celebration, he’d actually been here the entire time. He’d been secretly setting up an elaborate proposal for Lucas in our backyard by the pool.

My job tonight was simple: get Lucas to the house under the guise of a regular celebration party. And I knew Lucas would never miss a good time, especially when it involved spending time with me and our whole friend group.

Our living room buzzed with wonderful warmth and energy. Music played from the speakers. People chatted and laughed. Glasses clinked together in toasts. Bursts of genuine laughter filled every corner.

Relief and joy hung in the air like glitter catching the light.

My heart felt so light it could have floated right out of my chest.

Lucas had arrived last, looking confused as hell when he walked in. “What is all this?” he asked, looking around at everyone gathered. “I thought this was just going to be like, pizza and wine. This looks like a very real party.”

“It’s a celebration,” I said, grinning at him widely. “We deserved a real one after everything. Come on, everyone’s outside.”

He hugged me tightly, muttering against my shoulder, “Thank God, because that courtroom stress literally took ten years off my life. I found three gray hairs this morning.”

I laughed and started walking with him toward the backyard, chattering about nothing important.

But as we walked, Lucas looked down and frowned when he noticed rose petals scattered on the ground forming a path. “Hannah, what the hell? Are you and Elijah doing some freaky romantic stuff out here? Because I support it, but warn a guy first.”

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing and ruining the surprise.

We kept walking, following the path of petals, and then Lucas heard his name being called.

Cherry gasped so loudly it was almost comical, and I heard the sound of her phone camera turning on as everyone started recording this moment.

“Oh my God,” Maya whispered, grabbing my arm like we were watching the most dramatic scene of a telenovela.

Martin pulled out a small velvet ring box from his jacket pocket, his voice shaking as he began to speak.

“Lucas,” he started, and I could hear the emotion making his voice crack. “I know we drive each other absolutely crazy on a daily basis. I know you claim to hate how much I cuddle you at night. I know you pretend to be super annoyed when I bring you breakfast in bed or call you randomly in the middle of the day just because I miss hearing your voice.”

Lucas opened and closed his mouth repeatedly like a startled goldfish, no words coming out.

Martin laughed softly, tears starting to gather in his eyes. “But I love everything about you. I love how confident you are in everything you do. I love how hardworking and dedicated you are, I love how fiercely you love the people around you, how you’d do anything for your friends and family. And I’m so incredibly glad that I get to be one of those people you love.”

Lucas blinked rapidly, clearly trying not to cry but failing spectacularly.