A Billionaire For Hanni

Chapter 54

The cool evening air enveloped the great city park, where the streetlights cast golden reflections on the trembling leaves of the trees. Minji was there, standing beneath a large cherry tree whose sturdy trunk seemed to bear silent witness to her endless waiting. Her hands were tucked into the pockets of her long designer coat, and her heart beat faster than usual.

And then, finally, she saw her.

Hanni was walking slowly toward her, wrapped in a beige coat that draped gently over her shoulders. Her loose hair danced in the wind, and her face—illuminated by the soft light—appeared even more beautiful than Minji remembered. There was something different in her eyes that evening: a warmth, a sincerity that Minji had never seen before.

Minji cleared her throat, trying to hide the emotion that tightened her stomach.
"I thought you weren't coming."

Hanni smiled gently, stopping just a few steps away.
"I'd never keep you waiting too long."

Minji looked at her intently, letting the silence speak for both of them. There was no need for words—not that evening. Then, with a natural gesture, she reached out her hand, and Hanni took it without hesitation. Their fingers intertwined, and Minji felt a familiar warmth coursing through her body.

"How are you?" Minji asked, her tone laced with concern.

Hanni lowered her gaze for a moment before replying.
"Better. And you know why?" She lifted her face to meet Minji's eyes. "Because I've finally stopped running away from what I feel for you."

Minji's heart raced. God, how long she had waited for those words.

Hanni took a deep breath before continuing.
"For too long I was afraid of this feeling. Afraid of loving you as you deserve. But now I know I don't want to spend another day without you, Minji."

Minji smiled and squeezed her hand more firmly.
"Hanni..."

"Let me finish," Hanni said, her voice trembling slightly. "I want you to know that I love you. That I've always loved you—even when I was too stubborn to admit it."

Minji stared at her for a long moment, then, without saying another word, pulled her close and held her tight. Hanni buried her face in Minji's chest while Minji closed her eyes and let the moment imprint itself on her soul.

"Tell me it's not a dream," Minji whispered against her hair.

"It isn't," Hanni replied, lifting her face to look into hers. "It's real. It's our reality."

Minji smiled, and without hesitation, she knelt on one knee.

Hanni gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth.
"Minji, what are you doing?"

Minji retrieved a small black velvet box from the pocket of her coat and opened it, revealing a diamond ring even larger and more precious than the one she had given her before.
"I'm asking you again, this time knowing that the answer will be the right one."

Tears filled Hanni's eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Minji continued,
"Hanni, will you marry me?"

Hanni burst into laughter through her tears.
"Minji, I..." She hesitated for a moment, then reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out the first ring Minji had given her some time ago.
"I never took it off."

Minji looked at her in surprise.

"I couldn't do it," Hanni confessed. "Even when I thought I had to walk away from you, something inside me just wouldn't let you go."

Gently taking her hand, Minji flashed a mischievous smile as she removed the ring Hanni was clutching.
"Well then, you won't need it anymore."

Without any hesitation, she tossed it into the nearby trash can.