"Let's get married," Theo finally muttered, his eyes still fixed on Daisy.
Daisy froze, then gave a short, breathless laugh. "We are married, Theo…"
"No," he said, stepping toward her, his voice low but earnest. "Not like before. Not the rushed papers, not out of necessity. I mean… let's make it real. Let's make it ours."
He swallowed, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I should've done this long ago. And now that the world will know about us, I don't want them to think you were just some arrangement. You're my wife… but I want to ask you properly this time."
Her hand shot out, gripping his arm as he started to bend down. "Theo… wait." Her brows furrowed, torn between shock and disbelief. "What do you mean by what the world will know about us? You're trying to propose? Now? My father is being held hostage, and you—" She broke off, shaking her head, voice trembling. "How can you even think about that right now?"
