CHAPTER FOUR
Everyone tried to convince Mia to marry Nathan, but to no avail.
Mia had always been a strong, hard-headed person, so it was impossible to convince her once she had made up her mind.
Her father tried.
Her brothers tried.
Even their wives tried talking to her, but Mia wouldn't listen.
"I already said no," she insisted. "I don't want to get married."
No matter how much they tried to persuade her, Mia remained firm in her decision.
Meanwhile, Nathan was patiently awaiting her decision.
He knew Mia very well, and he knew that she was taking too long to agree.
Nathan had always known how stubborn she could be.
After waiting for some time, he finally decided to arrange a meeting with her himself.
When Mia heard about the meeting, she immediately refused to go.
"I don't want to see him," she said.
But after thinking about it for a while, Mia eventually decided to go.
She didn't know what Nathan wanted to say to her, but she knew that avoiding him forever wasn't going to solve anything.
When she finally arrived and saw Nathan, she was stunned.
He had changed so much.
Mia remembered the Nathan she knew when they were younger, but the man standing before her was completely different.
He had grown so handsome.
Handsome was an understatement.
He was gorgeous.
Mia quickly looked away, not wanting him to notice how surprised she was.
Nathan smiled when he saw her.
"Mia."
"Hello, Nathan."
They sat down together.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
Nathan was the first to break the silence.
"I heard about what happened between you and Winter."
Mia's expression changed.
"I don't want to talk about Winter."
"Okay," Nathan replied calmly. "Then we won't."
Mia looked at him.
"So why did you ask me to come here?"
Nathan looked at her seriously.
"Because I want to talk to you about the marriage."
Mia immediately shook her head.
"Nathan, I've already made my decision. I don't want to marry you."
"I know."
She frowned.
"Then why am I here?"
"Because I want you to hear me out before you make your final decision."
Mia remained silent.
Nathan didn't pressure her. Instead, he reminded her of the friendship they once shared and the way they used to understand each other.
He told her that he wasn't asking her to forget what Winter had done or to pretend that she wasn't hurt.
He simply wanted her to give him a chance.
"I know you're hurt, Mia," Nathan said. "And I know you're not ready to fall in love again. I'm not asking you to fall in love with me."
Mia looked at him quietly.
"Then what are you asking for?"
"Give me a chance to prove that marrying me won't be a mistake."
Mia didn't answer immediately.
Nathan continued speaking, but this time his voice was softer.
"You already know me. I'm not a stranger. We were friends before everything changed. And if you agree to this marriage, I won't force you to become someone you're not."
Mia lowered her eyes.
She still didn't want to get married.
She still wasn't sure about Nathan.
But the more he spoke, the more she began to think about his words.
Nathan wasn't forcing her.
He wasn't demanding that she love him.
He was simply asking her to give him a chance.
After a long silence, Mia finally sighed.
"I still don't know if this is the right thing to do."
"I understand."
"And I don't want anyone forcing me into this."
"I won't."
Mia looked into his eyes.
Nathan smiled gently.
"Then what do you say?"
Mia took a deep breath.
She had spent so much time refusing the proposal.
But perhaps giving Nathan a chance wouldn't hurt.
Finally, she nodded.
"Okay."
Nathan's eyes brightened.
"Okay?"
Mia nodded again.
"I'll marry you."
For the first time that day, Mia smiled.
She still wasn't in love with Nathan.
She wasn't even sure what the future would bring.
But she had agreed to marry him.
And for now, that was enough.