Always Together

***Hazel***

*Marriage?*

The word didn’t just surprise me, it landed like a stone dropped into still water, sending ripples through every thought I had.

For a moment, I simply stared at him, certain I must have misheard. “Married?” I echoed, breath catching. “Like… right now? You want us to get married right now?”

Victor’s expression didn’t soften. If anything, his resolve sharpened.

“Yes,” he