Wheel You Marry Me?

CHAPTER 12.

Six Months Later

Six months had passed since Mum died. I mourned her every day, but grief eventually makes room for survival. So Jeffrey and I packed up our lives and moved to a town far away. I wanted a fresh start, new streets, new people, new air. Anything but memories of the past.

While packing up Mum's old things, I found a photograph tucked into the pages of a sketchbook. It was of her... and Tyler. My heart sank. Why was my mother with Ryan's father? They looked too close, like something more than acquaintances. But I pushed the thought aside for now.

Jeffrey had hit rock bottom after Mum's death. He started drinking, doing drugs, stopped going to school altogether. I had no choice but to be hard on him—harsh, even. I couldn't lose him too. Not after losing her. Eventually, with tough love, late-night arguments, and small victories, he pulled through. He was clean, back in school, and miraculously graduating from high school today.

I watched him walk across the stage to get his certificate, pride welling in my chest. I snapped a photo, capturing the moment. My heart swelled.

As he walked toward me, I stood up and threw my arms around him. "I'm so proud of you, sweetie. I know she would be, too."

Jeffrey hugged me tightly. "Thank you, sis. I couldn't have done it without you."

Tears escaped my eyes.

"Hey! It's my graduation dayno tears allowed." He nudged me with a grin.

I laughed through my tears. "Right. Sorry. We're supposed to celebrate."

That night, I took him out to dinner. Nothing fancy, just us, but it was perfect. We talked about school, the future, Mum, and laughed more than we had in months.

Then he leaned forward with that mischievous look of his. "I have an idea."

"Oh no," I teased. "Should I be scared?"

He chuckled. "I don't know if you'll like it... but I've been thinking, what if we opened an art gallery? We could showcase Mum's work. Let the world see her talent."

I paused, taken aback. "You'd really want to do that?"

"Of course! She was incredible, Aurora. People should know who she was."

A smile stretched across my face. "I've always dreamed of that... but I didn't think you'd be into it."

"I am. So, let's do it. For her."

We toasted to the idea and made a promise: we'd keep Mum's legacy alive.

The next day, we started searching for a space. By some miracle and a little help from Jeffrey's new friend Crystal we found a small, sunlit studio downtown. The moment we stepped in, Jeffrey whispered, "This is it."

I agreed. "It's perfect."

At the time, I was working as a personal assistant at a construction company. The pay wasn't great, but I'd saved enough to start renovations. We painted the walls, hung Mum's artwork, and polished the floors until everything gleamed.

Opening Night

"Everything looks perfect," Jeffrey said as he stood back and took it all in. "I just wish she could see it."

"She's here," I said quietly. "She'd be proud."

We rushed home to change. I wore a flowing mermaid-cut maxi dress, soft and elegant. Jeffrey looked sharp in his tuxedo. We took an Uber back, nervous and excited.

The gallery was packed. I couldn't believe my eyes, so many people, strangers and locals alike, mingling, admiring the paintings, whispering about their beauty. I caught myself smiling. This night was for her.

To honour Mum, I decided to sing. I hadn't performed in months, but tonight felt right. I picked a song she used to hum while painting. As I sang, the room fell quiet. My voice trembled, but I made it through without breaking. When I finished, the applause was thunderous. I knew she heard me.

Jeffrey rushed over, eyes wide. "We've got our first buyer!" he whispered. "They want to stay anonymous... but the amount?" He showed me the figure, and my jaw dropped.

"That's insane," I whispered. "She would be so proud."

He grinned. "I already am."

Later, I spotted Jeffrey laughing with Crystal across the room. I was about to go join them when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"You look gorgeous in that dress."

I turned around. And froze.

Ryan.

He sat in a sleek black wheelchair, dressed in a tuxedo, his eyes locked on mine. Somehow, even after six months, he looked more devastatingly handsome than ever.

"What... what are you doing here?" I stammered.

He grinned. "Thanks to your brother's Instagram post. I saw it, and I came. I found you."

I swallowed hard. "Wait. You're the anonymous buyer, aren't you?"

He looked surprised. "What makes you think that?"

"I just know it's you."

He offered a soft smile. "Yeah. It's me. I loved that piece. It deserved a place."

I stared at him, trying to process everything. "Ryan... that was a lot of money."

"It was worth it. And so was she."

There was something different about him. Gentler, maybe. Or more open. I didn't even know he liked art. Did I really know anything about him?

I shook my head. "Thank you."

He winked. I blushed.

Just then, Jeffrey appeared. His expression changed the second he saw Ryan.

"What's going on here?" he asked coldly. Then he looked at Ryan. "What's he doing here?"

"Jeff, calm down," I said quickly. "He saw your post and came. That's all."

Jeffrey's jaw clenched. "So you're the one who bought Mum's art?"

Ryan nodded. "I did."

Jeffrey's voice rose. "We don't need your money. You only bought it out of pity. You can take it and shove it up your ass!"

"Jeffrey!" I snapped. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

He glared at me, then stormed off.

"I'm so sorry," I turned to Ryan. "He's still dealing with... everything."

Ryan shook his head gently. "It's okay. Really."

I felt awful. But there was no time to dwell. I had to address the guests.

I stepped up to the mic. My voice shook at first, but I steadied myself.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. My brother and I are incredibly grateful for your support. Tonight, we celebrate my mother's life and her art. And I'm proud to announce that the money we've received will go toward opening a rehab centre, one that will help people like our mum. She deserved better. And so do they. Thank you."

The room erupted into applause.

Ryan wheeled closer. "I'm so proud of you."

I looked down, blushing. "Thank you."

And for the first time in a long time, I let myself breathe. This wasn't the life I'd planned but maybe it was the one I was meant to build.