"Zinnia Lopez," Samuel said, kneeling down on one knee, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. His eyes locked with hers, and she saw a vulnerability in him that had always been hidden behind his confident exterior. "I don't want to just fulfill an obligation or live up to expectations. I want to build a life with you—a real one, full of love, trust, and everything we've both been too afraid to admit we wanted."
Zinnia's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She watched as Samuel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. He opened it slowly, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled under the warm glow of the string lights that decorated the room.
"Will you marry me, not because we're supposed to, but because we choose to?" he asked, his voice quiet yet full of sincerity.