Chapter 349
At Elysium Biotech Institute In House Wing
Morning came, but Clifford hadn’t slept much, despite Ivan’s reassurances that fainting was a normal side effect of the medication Kelly was taking.
The previous night had been perfect, they’d just finished dinner and spent time admiring the stars when Kelly had suddenly collapsed. He had tried to remain strong, keeping his composure for her sake, knowing her condition well. But saying it was one thing, and actually doing it was another.
Clifford sighed as he pulled a small box out of his pocket. Inside was his mother’s ring, something he had been planning to give Kelly as a gift. Last night had been the perfect opportunity to ask her about marriage. It might have seemed too early, but Clifford knew what he wanted, he wanted to be her husband.
“I should’ve planned something more special,” he muttered, thinking of ways to make the proposal unforgettable.
“Cliff!” Kelly’s cheerful voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She was waving at him energetically as she approached. Clifford quickly slipped the box back into his pocket and smiled at her.
No one looking at her would guess she was sick unless they already knew about her condition. She was as full of life as ever.
“Breakfast is ready,” he said, his usual warm smile in place.
Kelly walked straight up to him and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. “Good morning,” she whispered. “You must’ve been so worried last night. I’m sorry p>
He hugged her just as tightly, stroking her back gently before pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. Truthfully, he had been worried sick, checking on her several times during the night, even though her mother had stayed by her side.
“Mom has a lot on her plate for the next few days,” Kelly said as she pulled back slightly. “So if you want, you could just sleep in my room. It’d be more practical than checking on me every hour p>
Clifford chuckled, earning a curious look from her.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, frowning slightly. “I thought it was a good idea p>
He reached out, brushing a few strands of hair from her face and tucking them behind her ear. “I love the thought,” he said. “But do you really trust me that much? How do you know I don’t bite p>
Kelly grinned at his teasing. “I know you respect me, so I trust you. And even if you do bite, it’s not like you have rabies p>
Her cheeky response made him laugh as he leaned in, brushing his nose against hers. She truly was his light, even on the darkest of days.
“By the way,” Kelly began, her eyes twinkling with curiosity, “I remembered last night before I fainted, you mentioned you had something special to give me, something you treasured p>
Clifford rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. “I did,” he admitted. Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box.
“This belonged to my mom,” he said softly, opening the box to reveal the diamond ring inside. “She told me to give it to the woman I truly cherish, the one I want to spend the rest of my life with p>
Kelly gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she stared at the beautiful ring. “It’s stunning!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.
Clifford chuckled warmly. “Let’s see if it fits your finger,” he said, gently taking her hand. “I’m pretty sure it will. My mom and you have a similar frame from when she was your age p>
Carefully, he slipped the ring onto her finger. It fits perfectly.
“I was planning to create a memorable moment to ask you this,” Clifford admitted, his voice growing more serious. “Just earlier, I was thinking about how to make it special… But now, I realize something. Planning for perfection will take time, and time feels so precious right now. I don’t want to wait another second, another hour, or another day to say this to you, Kelly p>
Taking a deep breath, he looked straight into her eyes, his gaze tender yet determined. “Kelly Johnson, will you marry me? Will you let me be your partner, your better half, for the rest of our lives p>
Kelly’s face lit up with the sweetest smile he had ever seen. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and before she could speak, they spilled down her cheeks. She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
“Of course, I will!” she cried, her voice trembling with joy. “I’d love to be your better half, Clifford White! I can’t wait to carry your name with mine and share every moment of this life I still have with you p>
Her words came in between soft sobs, her emotions overflowing. Clifford held her tightly, his heart swelling with relief and happiness.
As Clifford held Kelly close, he gently ran his fingers through her hair, comforting her as she cried tears of joy. But then, his movements stilled. His heart sank when he noticed strands of her hair clinging to his fingers, more than what would normally fall.
His body trembled as a wave of dread washed over him. He stared at the strands in his hand, unable to suppress the gnawing fear in the back of his mind.
“Kelly he whispered, his voice shaky.
She pulled back slightly, her smile faltering when she saw the look on his face. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly, following his gaze to his hand.
“It’s nothing,” he said quickly, forcing a reassuring smile, though the lump in his throat made it hard to speak.
But deep inside, the fear he worked so hard to suppress grew stronger. The reality of her condition was always there, hovering over them like a dark cloud. He didn’t want to show his worry… not now, not in this perfect moment.
“I love you, Kelly,” he whispered, his voice soft yet full of conviction, his eyes locked onto hers as though he could see into her very soul. Every word he spoke was laden with sincerity.
Her lips curved into a warm smile as she tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on him. “When did you realize you loved me?” she asked, her tone gentle but curious.
Clifford hesitated for a moment as if replaying the memories in his mind. Then he took a deep breath and confessed, “When I nearly lost my mind while you were in that coma. Every day without you felt like the world had stopped spinning like I was stuck in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from p>
His words hung in the air, raw and unguarded. Kelly reached up, cupping his face with her hands as her eyes shimmered with emotion. “You’re the reason I keep fighting,” she murmured.