CHAPTER 307: CHAPTER 307: LET ME BE YOUR FAMILY, LET ME TAKE CARE OF YOU

In the center of the lake stands a giant glass house.

The sun sets in the west, casting an orange glow on the glass house, reflecting a glazed radiance.

As they approached, the glass house became clearer.

There were things inside the house, but she couldn’t see them yet.

Their small boat docked on the side.

Silas Hawthorne got ashore first, then reached out his hand to help her.

Serena Sterling took the offered hand and stepped up.

"Serena, close your eyes," Silas Hawthorne said with a smile.

Serena nodded and closed her eyes.

He held her hand the whole time.

Leading her forward step by step.

After a while, his voice came, "Stop for a moment."

Then came the sound of a door opening.

Silas Hawthorne led her inside.

"You can open your eyes now," Silas Hawthorne’s voice sounded.

As Silas Hawthorne finished speaking, Serena slowly opened her eyes.

At first, it was unclear, but then she saw clearly.

They were now inside the giant glass house they had seen moments ago.

And at this moment, the house was filled with flowers.

Roses, lilies, eustoma...

Numerous varieties competing in beauty, bright and beautiful.

In the distance, the sky burned red by the sunset, the glass house’s backdrop was an endless stretch of lake, shimmering gently in the breeze.

The array of flowers appeared even more dazzling with the reflections through the glass.

And amidst these stacked flowers, there was a stand.

Serena slowly approached.

Then she saw, it was the latest painting by Silas Hawthorne, depicting her.

It was the scene on the stage of a concert, with blue butterflies flitting around the flames, and she stood on stage with butterfly wings sprouting from her back, her long hair flying.

Serena slightly parted her lips, reached out, and gently touched the painting.

Beside it, other paintings slowly rose.

Her during a date, her stubbornness... her while crying.

In his paintings, she was always beautiful, even her crying wasn’t too disheveled.

He always remembered her in her most beautiful moments, his gaze never leaving her.

Then, she saw a line formed by a clash of colored lights, suspended in the center of the glass flower house — "Serena, will you marry me?"

The brilliance was dazzling.

As if it were a gateway of time hanging in the center of the flower house.

Serena reached out and touched the lights.

At the same time, the person beside her went down on one knee.

Serena lowered her head, and saw Silas Hawthorne holding a ring box, looking up at her.

The gentle breeze stirred the bouquets in the room and moved the hair on his forehead.

And in his eyes, there was only her.

The dark eyes were full of affection.

"Serena, let’s get married. Will you marry me?" Silas Hawthorne said softly.

In the orange sunlight, the diamond ring in the box he held reflected dazzling light.

"Serena, I love you."

"Let me take care of you," he said, his voice causing ripples in her heart, "Let me be your family, okay?"

Serena felt a sourness in her nose.

A surge of a desire to cry.

She looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Silas," Serena began.

"I’m here," he responded, just like he always did on every night filled with surprises.

"You know," she said, her voice choked, "I just recently got divorced."

The previous marriage nearly cost her half of her life.

She hadn’t planned on stepping into another marriage so soon.

Sometimes, she thought that just dating would be fine.

Mutual affection without the binds of marriage.

But when he knelt before her, proposing, she changed her mind.

He said he wanted to be her family.

And all she’s ever wanted in this life is a home.

Even though she had been moved countless times, her heart was still touched.

The wind gently blew, Serena’s eyes couldn’t bear the weight, tears overflowed, sliding down her cheeks.

Silas Hawthorne said nothing, he simply reached up to wipe the tears from her face.

His eyes full of heartache.

"I agree," Serena said softly.

She looked into Silas Hawthorne’s eyes, her voice clear, "Let’s get married."

Silas Hawthorne’s eyes moistened too.

He didn’t stand up immediately, but remained kneeling, and he took out the ring and placed it on her finger.

His hands gently cradling her face, never having enough of looking at her.

"Serena," his voice was soft.

"Mm?" Serena responded.

"I love you," he said earnestly.

Serena smiled through her tears and nodded, "I know."

After a slight pause, she said, "I love you too."

She gently exerted her hand, and he rose up, then pulled her firmly into his embrace.

The room full of flowers seemed to be cheering and celebrating for them.

From somewhere, butterflies danced as if touched by their love.

Serena’s eyes were very red.

In her previous marriage, there was no proposal, no carefully prepared ring.

Julian Lawson had simply bought a pair of wedding bands at a jewelry store, slipped one onto her finger, and that was the extent of her acceptance.

This time, Silas Hawthorne made it all up to her.

"Clap, clap..."

A round of applause followed.

Serena looked over Silas Hawthorne’s shoulder and saw the others who had gathered here.

Bianca Lynch walked at the forefront, tears in her eyes, clapping vigorously till her hands turned red.

So, Bianca Lynch had always known about Silas Hawthorne’s plan to propose, and when she took Serena to the koi pond earlier, it was for a final confirmation.

Beside Bianca Lynch was Ethan Lynch, his eyes moist, but clapping too, his expression was one of relief and anticipation, not regret.

Nearby stood Jasper Ford, Xander Linton, Justin Jennings, Quinn, Orion Hawthorne, June Hawthorne, and others.

Seraphina was led over by Mrs. Walsh, even the chubby Ragdoll cat was brought along.

All gathered to witness this moment.

"Aunt Winters! Uncle Mortimer!"

Seraphina called out, then ran over.

Silas Hawthorne let go of Serena, watched her squat down to hold Seraphina in her arms, his eyes full of warmth.

"Bang! Bang!"

Outside the flower house, petal cannons boomed.

The petals danced with the bursts of the cannon, scattering continuously over the lake with the breeze.

Swirling around in a shower of petals that finally landed on the water’s surface.

Serena stood up, holding Seraphina’s hand, and looked at Silas Hawthorne at her side.

He looked back at her, cupped her face in his hands, and lightly kissed her lips.

In that moment, happiness overflowed.

Above the flower house on the lake, light shone on the words, "Serena, will you marry me?" hanging in the air.

Silas Hawthorne released Serena.

She felt a bit shy.

Her gaze shifted.

She saw Sheila Jenkins standing at the back of the crowd.

That was Serena’s biological mother.

Her mom.

Sheila Jenkins looked at Serena, tears in her eyes.

In that moment, much of the estrangement between them seemed to melt away.

Perhaps Sheila Jenkins seeing them now, was like looking back at what she and Evan Sheridan once had.