Chapter 41
Collins
Getting ready for work, I moved through my usual routine, but everything felt lighter today.
The weekend was finally here. Two whole days with no schedules, no emergencies, no distractions, just her and me.
Marlon had already agreed to cover if anything urgent came up, and my mind was busy planning where I could take her tonight.
Somewhere quiet. Somewhere warm. Somewhere that would make her smile.
I headed to her room first. I always liked starting my day with her, one kiss, one smile, something to carry with me until I came back.
But her room was empty.
My chest tightened. For a second, fear rushed in too fast, too loud. I turned and hurried downstairs, my steps quick and uneven.
Then I saw her.
She was in the kitchen, moving carefully but confidently between the counters.
Zelda must have lowered the tables again—everything was set at just the right height for her.
I leaned against the wall without making a sound, just watching her.
The way she concentrated, the way she smiled to herself as she worked—it felt like watching a miracle I didn’t deserve.
She looked up and caught me staring.
I walked over and bent down, brushing a soft kiss against her lips.
“What are you doing?” I asked gently.
“I packed your lunch,” she said. “And I made breakfast.”
“That’s sweet,” I told her. “You didn’t have to.”
“I told her I’d handle it, Doctor,” Zelda said with a small laugh, “but she wouldn’t listen.”
“I wanted to be useful,” she said quietly.
I lifted her chin so she had to look at me.
“Don’t ever think you’re not useful,” I said softly. “Just being here, breathing next to me—that already makes me the happiest man alive.”
She smiled, but her eyes shone.
“But doing things for you…that’s what makes me happy.”
“Then let’s be happy together,” I said, rolling her toward the table.
After settling her in, I bent down again, touched her cheek with my thumb, and whispered, “I love you,” before kissing her gently.
I took my seat across from her.
“Start thinking about what you’re going to wear tonight,” I said. “I’m taking you to dinner.”
Her eyes lit up like stars.
“Okay,” she said softly. “I’ll be ready.”
After breakfast, I reached for my jacket and the lunchbox she had carefully packed for me. It wasn’t just food—it was proof that she wanted to matter in my world, to take care of me in the small, quiet ways that meant everything.
I walked back to her, my chest tight with a feeling I still didn’t have words for. I bent down slowly, brushing my thumb over her cheek before leaning in.
I kissed her, soft, slow, unhurried, like I was trying to memorize the taste of her, the feel of her, the moment itself. Her lips were warm and sweet, and when she smiled against my mouth, something in me stilled, as if the world had finally found the right rhythm.
“Have a good day,” she whispered.
“With you waiting for me,” I murmured, resting my forehead against hers, “how could I not?”
I arrived at work to chaos—in the best possible way.
The waiting area was packed, phones ringing nonstop, nurses moving fast between rooms. Referrals had skyrocketed so badly that we’d brought in two locum doctors just to keep up. We’d even rented the office next door so we could expand the practice and add another surgery room.
I didn’t even pause to admire it. I jumped straight into consultations.
By the time Marlon and I finally managed to take a break, my tie was loosened, my throat was dry, and my head was buzzing—but in a good way. This was the kind of busy that meant you were doing something right.
“We’re officially swamped,” Marlon said, dropping into the chair across from me. “Best investment I ever made. All thanks to the most in-demand neurosurgeon in the city.”
I rolled my eyes. “Come on, that’s not the reason.”
“You know it is,” he said easily. “Wherever your name appears, patients follow. And I’m not complaining, it’s good for me too. That’s one of the reasons I followed you.”
I laughed and reached for my lunchbox.
The moment I opened it, the smell alone made me smile. Inside were all my favourites—mini grilled chicken wraps with lettuce, tomato, and mustard sauce, neatly cut fruit, a small pack of nuts, and a yogurt cup.
“That looks incredible,” Marlon said, leaning closer. “What is that—restaurant food?”
“No,” I said, pulling out one wrap. “She made it.”
He looked surprised. “She?”
“Anna.”
His eyes widened. “Wait. Are you two…living together?”
I nodded, unable to stop the smile that spread across my face.
“When did this happen?”
“Last week. After I finally told her how I felt.”
He stared at me for a second, then shook his head slowly. “Wow. So what now? Wedding bells?”
“That’s the plan,” I said quietly. “I’ve planned something for tonight—just need to get the ring.”
He giggled. “So…am I best man?”
I grinned. “You bet.”
After work, the thought of marrying her kept looping in my mind, relentless, like a song I couldn’t turn off.
I’d never been this certain about anything in my life.
By the time I realized I was standing in front of a jewellery store, my hands were already itching to go inside.
The detour had been sudden, almost impulsive—but I couldn’t wait.
I’d been quietly studying her ring size over the past few days, memorizing every detail, planning this moment.
The moment I stepped in, the assistant greeted me with a warm smile.
“A certified diamond?” she asked, expecting the usual question.
“No,” I said, my voice calm but carrying an edge of excitement. “This time, it’s an engagement ring.”
Her eyes lit up. “I’ve been waiting for that moment. I’d love to meet her one day.”
She pulled out a few designs, her fingers tracing over the velvet displays. “What do you think she’d like?”
I paused, thinking of her—the way her laughter could light up a room, the softness in her gestures, her unwavering kindness to everyone around her.
“Something that reflects her,” I said slowly.
“Sweet, petite, breathtakingly beautiful. She has a heart that’s too big for her frame.
Loves children, cares for people in need, and those eyes…
” I hesitated, thinking of her vibrant blue eyes, the way they could pierce right through me.
“Those eyes—bright, deep, impossible to look away from. That’s how the ring should feel.
Can you help me find something that mirrors her? ”
The assistant blinked, clearly impressed, before nodding and pulling out a few pieces. “This one is from a renowned designer,” she said, holding up two delicate rings, each with its own elegance.
I studied them carefully, imagining her sliding the ring onto her finger, imagining her smile, her surprise, the way her hands would tremble slightly. One was bold, flashy—but not her. The other was delicate, understated, yet the diamond shone with a brilliance that seemed almost alive.
“This one,” I whispered, almost to myself. “It’s perfect.”
The assistant smiled as I handed over the payment. Beautiful but dainty, with a heart of fire and a diamond to match—just like her. Every time I looked at it, I wanted it to reflect her: petite yet unforgettable, gentle yet unyielding, and with a light inside that could never be dimmed.