At that moment, Cora's father gave a calm, knowing smile. He looked at his daughter—not just as his child, but as a woman standing at the edge of something important.
"Well," he began softly, "I know you're a lady. And I understand… you want to protect your pride, your dignity, your heart."
Immediately Cora lowered her eyes.
Her father's voice remained gentle, but firm with meaning.
"But Oliver actually said more," he added. "He told me that he didn't just want to fix things. He didn't just want forgiveness. He said he wanted all of this to be real."
He looked directly at Cora now.
"He said he wants to be your man."
Her breath caught.
"He wants to be the father of your unborn children," her father continued, his tone low and sincere. "He wants this family… to grow. He wants everything that surrounds you, Cora."
Cora's heart was pounding. She could feel Oliver's quiet gaze still fixed on her, unmoving, waiting.
