ZACH’S POV

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain. “When I asked her before, it was in the heat of the moment. We were in a tense situation, and I needed to make sure she knew how I felt. But now… I want to do it properly. I want to give her the proposal she deserves. And I want her to know that this isn’t just about the will or any external pressure. It’s about us, about our future together.”

Lily’s eyes softened even more, and she nodded slowly. “You’re thinking about the long term,” she said. “That’s important. Malia needs stability and love,...