to bring out all the beautiful, powerful colors within herself. And she wanted so much to forgive him. To grab the happiness he was offering her. But she was so afraid.
“I don’t think I could endure another broken heart. I won’t be able to survive next time.” Tears ran down her face, probably undoing all the hard work of her stylist, but it was hopeless. There was no way she could stem her tears.
“I swear to you there will never be a next time. I will never keep a secret from you again. I’m far from perfect, and I may hurt you at times in my stupidity, but I will always own up to it and work harder to be the man you deserve. Please.” Colin kneeled before her on the cold asphalt. “Please give me a chance to love you. Let me cherish you for the rest of our lives.”
Jihae was so entranced by Colin’s words that she didn’t see the group of people who came to stand behind him for a second. Then she drew back in shock. It was the Song family. She recognized Garrett Song and Grace Song from the business papers, and Adelaide Song from the fashion magazines. James Song was also there. Another man and woman stood beside Adelaide and Garrett, and seemed to be their significant others. They all wore warm smiles and earnest expressions. All but Grace Song, who stood in the middle with calm dignity.
“Please forgive him,” James Song said. “He’s so entertaining.”
“We’ll personally kick his ass if he misbehaves again,” Garrett said as though he meant it.
“He’s an idiot but we love him.” Adelaide shrugged. “Could you, too?”
Then Mrs. Song finally spoke. “Will you be a part of our family?”
“Will you give me another chance?” Colin asked, still kneeling in front of her with tears brimming in his eyes.
He had always kept his connection to his family a closely guarded secret. But he had enlisted all their help to win her back. Her tears fell furiously. He had done this for her. Despite the scar in his heart left by his father, Colin wanted to open himself up to her, and in doing so, revealed to the world that he was Colin Song of the Hansol Song family.
“You just revealed your secret in public.” She stated the obvious, too awed to be clever.
“I know. I don’t care who knows. This secret I’d held on to for so long was merely a form of my pride. I wanted to be seen for the man I was, and I wanted to claim my success as my own. But all my life, my family has been there for me, and I couldn’t have done anything without their love and support.”
“Oh, Colin.”
“And I offer you not only my love and support, but my family’s as well. Will you marry me and grant me—us—the privilege of being your family?”
“Yes,” she whispered then said with more strength, “Yes, I will marry you, Colin Song. Please stand up.”
He stood and pulled a small box out of his pocket. It was the one she had messengered back to him. He carefully withdrew the diamond ring, and asked, “May I?”
“Yes.”
He lifted her hand and pushed the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. When she glanced toward the Song family, Adelaide and Garrett’s wife were wearing tremulous, watery smiles, and even the men’s eyes were red-rimmed. She looked toward Grace Song and she gave her a solemn nod with a gentle smile on her face. They were going to be a family.
“You’re mine now, you know.” Colin raised her hand and kissed her softly on the knuckles, smoothing his thumbs over the ring. “And you can’t back out because we have a ton of witnesses.”
Jihae had been so focused on Colin and his family that she didn’t realize that they were again surrounded by cameras...and applause.
“Oh, well.” She cupped his cheek, all her love shining in her eyes. “I guess I’m stuck.”
“You bet you are.” Colin dipped her back to the roar of their audience and kissed her thoroughly, marking the beginning of their happily ever after.
* * *
Don’t miss
a single story in
The Heirs of Hansol series
by Jayci Lee!
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Secret Crush Seduction
Off Limits Attraction
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from Harlequin Desire
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