He Wouldn't Claim Me — Another Man Did-Chapter 136 - 123: The Proposal

The car pulled up to the gate of the courtyard house Susan Dudley was renting.

Shane Sterling got out first. He took a breath, then another deep one to steady himself.

"President Sterling, if you keep this up, I’m going to have to laugh at you," Isla Prescott said, taking out her phone to record how nervous he looked.

Shane Sterling winked at her camera. "You go in first. I need to grab something."

"Okay."

Just as she always did, Isla Prescott gently pushed open the courtyard gate. The moment she stepped inside, she heard a sudden BANG! Immediately, colorful fireworks exploded in the sky.

"Surprise!"

Her mother, Susan Dudley; her sister, Sienna Prescott; Annabelle Leighton; Silas Lockwood; Ivan Fulton; Jude Dudley; Leo Dudley; and Isla Prescott’s former college roommates, Mia and Jade, all jumped out from both sides of the courtyard.

Isla Prescott stood stunned for a moment. Before she could even react, she was captivated by the sight of the courtyard, now filled with fresh flowers.

Jude Dudley’s once simple and plain courtyard had been completely transformed. It was now a French-style garden. Layers of flowers in various shades created a romantic, dreamlike atmosphere. A path paved with petals completed the picture, making the moment feel incredibly ceremonial.

"What is...?"

"This is Sean’s surprise for you." Susan Dudley’s eyes grew red the moment she spoke. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Isla Prescott turned to look at Shane Sterling. He was holding a diamond ring, and as he came around to face her, he knelt on one knee.

"Isabelle, standing here before you today, I’m more nervous than I’ve ever been, but I’m also more certain. Ever since I first met you, you’ve left a unique mark on my heart. For years, I secretly treasured every moment I had of you but never dared to confess my feelings. I prayed countless times, just hoping for a chance to stand by your side. Then, one day, you saved me on that rooftop when I was supposedly trying to ’end it all,’ and that’s when our story truly began."

Everyone laughed at the inside joke about Shane wanting to "end it all" on the rooftop, but Shane himself choked up with emotion.

"No one knows how long I waited for you to finally look my way, but I’m so lucky because, in the end, you did. Isabelle, you’re so incredible. I’ve always thought of you as a flower blooming from a crack in a rock—so beautiful and just as resilient. You have a soul that radiates positivity. I love you so, so, so much. Please give me the chance to spend the rest of my life protecting you." Shane Sterling held out the large diamond ring he’d prepared toward Isla Prescott. "In the future, whether you want to see the northern lights or just go to the congee shop downstairs, I want to be right there with you. I want to accompany you to every destination you can dream of. Please, will you marry me?"

A man’s tears are the ultimate beauty treatment.

The sight of Shane Sterling with tears welling in his eyes only added a layer of profound, affectionate charm to his already handsome face.

It dawned on Isla Prescott. ’So *that’s* why he’d been a nervous wreck the whole way over. He was going to propose today, and I, incredibly, hadn’t suspected a thing.’

Now, it was Isla Prescott’s turn to be nervous.

She had no idea when Shane Sterling had coordinated with her family and friends to prepare all this, but what she did know was that she was incredibly touched.

Every single word Shane Sterling had just spoken warmed its way into her heart.

Her mother, Susan Dudley, and her sister, Sienna Prescott, were already crying their eyes out. Annabelle Leighton was also quietly wiping away tears. Everyone watched her in silence. No one rushed her or playfully egged her on; they simply waited quietly alongside Shane Sterling for her answer.

Isla Prescott looked into Shane Sterling’s eyes and, without any hesitation, answered firmly, "I do."

Of course she was willing. She loved him every bit as much.