[BL] A Marriage Ruled by Family, Saved by Desire-Chapter 88: The Answer I Was Dying For. A Yes
~Alistair’s POV~
Some days I went to work from my mother’s place, sometimes I met up with Alex, and other times I just returned home and waited.
Then, when there was only one day left, early in the morning, my phone buzzed. It was Alex.
His voice was heavy with emotion.
"Alis... she’s made her decision," he said, his voice thick and heavy with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.
I went silent, the air in the room suddenly feeling too thin. "What is it?" I asked. "What did she decide on?"
"Baby... it didn’t go the way we hoped," he murmured, the defeat in his voice hitting me like a physical blow.
"Then tell me," I pressed, my grip tightening around my phone. "Just tell me. What did she say?"
"I don’t... I don’t even know how to say it to you," Alex stammered.
"Did she reject us or accept us? Which one? Just say it, Alex!" I was practically begging now, the suspense clawing at my chest.
"Will you leave me if I tell you the truth?" he asked quietly.
My heart started racing, a cold panic flooding my veins. "Will you stop talking nonsense and just get straight to the point?" I snapped, the fear making me sharp. "Alex, talk to me!"
"I already sent something to you," he said, his voice sounding distant, almost hollow. "It might be the last gift I ever give you... But the letter inside has the answer you’re looking for."
Before I could ask another question, the line went dead.
I stared at the blank screen, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. I spent the rest of the day in a state of total paralysis, trapped inside my room, afraid to even step out. Every minute felt like an hour as I waited for a delivery that wouldn’t arrive.
The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the floor.
Then, later in the evening, a sharp knock at the door jolted me upright.
"Sir? You have a package," the maid called out.
I didn’t even answer. I bolted off the bed and rushed to the door, my chest heaving. When I opened it, I was met with a massive, fragrant bouquet of lilies and roses, but I barely saw them. All I cared about was the cream-colored card tucked deep among the petals.
My hands shook so violently that I could barely pull it out.
I took a sharp breath, my vision blurring for a moment before I managed to open the card.
I was expecting something long. Maybe an explanation... maybe a goodbye.
But there was only one word, written in Alex’s neat handwriting:
RELAX.
The frustration boiled over instantly. I was drowning in panic, and he was telling me to relax? I snatched up my phone and called him, but it just rang and rang. I sent him a barrage of messages, my thumbs flying across the screen, demanding an answer. No reply.
I went back to my room, dropped the bouquet on the bed, and let out a frustrated breath.
"Is this really the time for flowers or games?" I muttered.
"Alex, you better not let me catch you," I added under my breath. "I’ll tear you to pieces."
I started pacing around the room, restless, like I couldn’t stay still.
Then finally, my phone chimed.
It was Alex.
I’m sending you something else, the message read. It might be the second... or the last of my gifts.
"What kind of game are you playing? I yelled at the empty room, hitting redial immediately, but he didn’t pick up.
I sent another message right after.
Can you just say it? Yes or no?
It showed read almost instantly.
But he still didn’t reply.
An hour of agonizing suspense passed before the maid knocked again.
I rushed to open it, almost snatching the package from the deliveryman.
It was another bouquet.
And another card.
I tore it open quickly, my heart pounding hard in my chest.
IT IS A...
I stared at the letters. Relax. It is a... I started cursing under my breath. My fear was turning into pure, pure rage. If he didn’t stop this, I was going to divorce him myself just for the psychological torture.
Then, a final message popped up: Don’t go back to the bedroom. The last gift is here.
I marched to the front door, my face hot with anger. I was ready to snap at the deliveryman, ready to throw the flowers back at whoever was standing there. But when I yanked the door open, it wasn’t a stranger.
It was Alex.
He stood there with a soft, lopsided smile, looking at me with so much love it made my head spin. "Relax," he whispered, finishing the sentence. "It is a... YES. My husband is coming home to me for good."
I wanted to scream. I wanted to hit him. I wanted to tell him how much I hated his "romantic" suspense. But as I opened my mouth to lash out, the wall I had built up finally crumbled. All the strength I had gathered to face him, all the bravery I had shown in my room, it all vanished. I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
Alex’s face fell, the playfulness vanishing instantly. He stepped closer and pulled me into his arms, crushing me against his chest. "I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I thought it would be a surprise... a bit of spice... but I didn’t realize how much I’d scared you."
I couldn’t even speak. I just buried my face in his neck, my tears soaking his shirt. I clutched at him, making sure he was real, making sure he wasn’t going anywhere.
"I know you were scared," he murmured, kissing the top of my head. "I know. But she gave in, Alis. She actually gave in."
I pulled back just enough to look at him, my eyes red and swollen, and before he could say another word, I pulled him down into a fierce, desperate kiss. It was a kiss for every sleepless night, every insult we’d endured, and every fear we’d conquered.
"God, I was so terrified," I breathed against his lips.
"I know, love. I know," he whispered back.
He leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear.
"We’re going home, baby."
