Chapter 129

But in that one fleeting moment, Clara Walton felt like the whole thing was just too unreal. Ethan Blackwood? Doing this? “Clara, will you marry me?” Ethan's deep, velvety voice cut through her thoughts. The thing she thought was impossible… was suddenly actually happening. She froze. Ethan stayed on one knee, like he wasn’t planning to get up unless she gave an answer. Their eyes locked midair. None of this felt real to her. Honestly, a little surreal. The beach in the distance was already bathed in morning light, the sun slowly rising above the ocean, casting golden rays across everything. The sky brightened in an instant. Clara could see every little movement on Ethan’s face, crystal clear. “Marry me,” he said again, quiet but serious. This time, Clara snapped out of it. Squinting slightly against the sun, her expression unreadable—thinking, maybe? Then she finally spoke, slow and deliberate. “Mr. Blackwood, aren’t we already married?” Yep, she was messing with him on purpose. Ethan