Transcending To You

CHAPTER 39: THE NIGHT OF THE PROPOSAL

Win guided Bright through the house, his steps hurried yet careful, as though shielding them both from the unspoken weight of earlier events. Without a word, he led Bright straight to the bedroom, where the familiar scent of lavender and the soft glow of the bedside lamp welcomed them.

"You should freshen up and eat something," Win said, his voice steady, deliberately brushing past the tension lingering between them. "It must have been a long, exhausting flight."

Bright studied him, his gaze searching, but Win refused to meet his eyes.

Without waiting for a response, Win moved across the room, retrieving a fresh night suit and a neatly folded towel. He disappeared into the bathroom, and soon, the sound of running water filled the air as he prepared a warm bath.

When he emerged, he placed the towel in Bright's hands. "Everything's ready. Go."

Bright didn't move. He just stood there, watching Win as if trying to read what lay beyond his carefully composed expression.

"Don't overthink," Win murmured, as if that alone could erase the questions swirling in the space between them.

Bright exhaled softly. If Win didn't want to talk about it, pressing him wouldn't help.

"I'll get fresh," he said finally, taking the towel before stepping into the bathroom, leaving Win alone with his thoughts.

Win let out a deep breath and walked out into the living room, where Shyle and Tisha were waiting for him—impatiently, judging by the looks on their faces.

The moment they saw him, Tisha smirked. "What's up with you? How could you say no?"

Shyle chuckled, arms crossed. "Seriously? Are you finally over him?"

Win frowned. "That's not true at all. I just think... we should finish our dates first."

Tisha raised an eyebrow. "Dates? Really? Do you hear yourself?"

Win sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to finish what we started. We agreed to reach the fifty-first date before deciding our future."

Shyle leaned in, her tone turning serious. "Win, he's ready to leave everything behind for you. He remembers everything now. And he feels guilty—not just for forgetting, but because he knows how much you love him. That guilt must have pushed him to propose so suddenly."

Win's breath hitched.

"What?" he whispered, barely able to form the word. His voice was fragile, trembling.

"He remembers everything?" His heart pounded. "All our years? Our love?"

Shyle nodded.

The puzzle pieces clicked into place. The suddenness, the desperation—this was why. Win had been struggling to understand why Bright would make such a big decision without any warning. Now, it made sense.

Tisha tilted her head. "Isn't this what you always wanted?"

Win hesitated, his fingers curling slightly. "Yes. I want to marry him. I want to be with him forever. What could be better than that?" He sighed, his voice softening. "But it doesn't feel right... not like this."

Tisha exchanged a look with Shyle. "That doesn't mean you don't love him, does it?"

Win shook his head. "Of course not. I love him more than anything. But I also want him to chase his dreams, to reach the greatest heights. I don't want this to be a decision made in haste, tangled with guilt and lost memories. I want us to be certain. I want us to finish our fifty-one dates, to look at each other on that last night and know—truly know—that this is what we both want, free from anything else clouding our hearts."