Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Hades is already there when I arrive, leaning against our favourite oak tree, lost in his thoughts. He looks up as I approach, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, I wonder if he already knows. We’ve always had this uncanny ability to sense each other’s emotions, even from a distance.
He’s dressed in his cut, dark jeans, and a white tee that looks like it’s seen better days. His hair isn’t as long as mine, but it’s tied into a bun at the back of his head.
“Brother, you look like a man with something on his mind,” he greets me with a smile.
I chuckle, trying to ease the tension in my own chest.
“You could say that,” I reply, taking a seat on the moss-covered ground opposite him.
The sunlight filters through the canopy and casts dappled shadows that dance around us. There’s a moment of silence, the kind that’s comfortable between brothers, but today it feels charged with anticipation. I take a deep breath, and the scent of earth and pine grounds me.
“I’ve done something, Hades,” I begin, my voice steady, despite the nerves. “Something significant. I know you’re going to be angry, but I needed to do it on my own.”
Hades raises an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Oh? Do tell.”
I pull the box from my pocket, holding it out for him to see. The sight of it makes my heart race, the reality of my decision settling in. “I proposed to Harley,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
For a moment, there’s silence. Hades stares at the box, then at me.
“You what?” His tone is filled with surprise, and shock is clearly written all over his face.
“I asked Harley to marry me,” I repeat, more confidently this time. “And she said yes.”
Hades is silent, processing the information. I can see the gears turning in his mind, the way they always do when he’s thinking deeply. Finally, he lets out a long breath, and a bright smile spreads across his face.
“Hadrian, that’s… that’s incredible. Congratulations.”
The relief that floods through me is almost overwhelming. I hadn’t realised how much I’d been dreading this moment, fearing his disapproval or, worse, his indifference. But Hades, as always, surprises me.
He stands and pulls me into a tight embrace, clapping me on the back. “I’m genuinely happy for you. Harley’s a wonderful woman, and you deserve every bit of happiness together.”
“Thank you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “That means more to me than you know.”
We sit back down, and Hades looks at me, his expression turning serious. “Why didn’t you tell me you were planning this? Maybe I could’ve helped.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I didn’t tell anyone, not even Monster. I wanted it to be a surprise, something just between Harley and me. It felt right that way.”
Hades nods, understanding in his eyes. “I get that. Some moments need to be just for the two of you. But you know you can always count on me, right? For anything.”
“I know,” I reply, feeling a warmth spread through me. “And I’m grateful for that, mate. Truly.”
He leans back against the tree with a thoughtful look on his face. “So, how did you do it? The proposal, I mean.”
I smile, the memory bringing a rush of joy to me.
“I asked her last night while we were at the Giant’s Causeway. We’d spent the day wandering along the coast.” I shake my head when I think about Harley smiling at the bairns playing on the rocks. I never saw myself becoming a father, but at that moment, I knew I wanted her to be the mother of my children. “Anyway, we were sitting looking out at the ocean, you know how much Harley loves the water, and I just knew the time was right. I got down on one knee and asked her to be my wife.”
Hades grins, shaking his head in amazement. “You romantic shite. That sounds perfect. I’m glad she said yes.”
“She did,” I respond with a grin, the reality still sinking in. “She actually said yes.”
We sit in companionable silence for a while longer, the enormity of what I’ve done hanging in the air between us.
Hades is the first to speak. “You’re really in love with her, aren’t you?”
“I am,” I admit without any hesitation. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
Hades looks at me, his gaze piercing. “Then you’ve made the right choice. Love like that doesn’t come around often, Hadrian. When it does, you have to hold onto it with everything you’ve got.”
I nod, the truth of his words resonating deep within me. “I intend to, brother. I intend to.”
There’s a rustle in the bushes nearby, and immediately alert, we both turn to see a deer moving gracefully through the undergrowth. It pauses for a moment, looking at us with its dark, liquid eyes, before bounding away into the trees.