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The reporter stood. "What are their names?"
"Charlie and Cherry." Mirabel gestured to the next journalist. "You, over there."
"Who is the father of the kids?"
She smiled faintly, then said clearly, "Lucian Lorenzo."
Gasps rippled through the room. The next voice rose quickly.
"Who is the other man?"
"That's someone I dated recently," Mirabel answered without hesitation.
"Could you tell us his name?"
"I'd rather not," she said flatly. "You, over there."
"Were you and Mr. Lucian dating before?"
"Yes. We were together before we went our separate ways."
"Are you dating now?"
"Yes, we are."
Another hand shot up. "Could you tell us how you met before?"
"Ah… when I was in London. I met him, we fell deeply in love, and we started dating. We were together for about a year."
"Why did you break up?"
"It was because of work," Mirabel said calmly. "We were so busy we barely saw each other. Eventually… we had to break it off. Next question."
"When did you find out you were pregnant?"
"Honestly? A month after we broke up. I was three weeks along when I found out. I told him immediately."
"Did Charlie and Cherry ever visit him often?"
"Yes. They went to see him whenever they had holidays."
"Did you both date other people while separated?"
"Yes, we did."
"Then how did you two end up back together?"
"My brother opened his hotel, and I convinced him to book a room for us. We wanted to spend time with our kids and our partners, but instead… we realized we were still in love. So, we found our way back to each other."
"Who said 'I love you' first?"
"Him."
"Who confessed first?"
"Lucian."
"Who named the kids?"
She smiled softly. "Me and my grandpa."
"What's the most romantic thing he ever did?"
Mirabel drew a sharp breath. "That's all I'll be answering today."
The crowd immediately erupted.
"One more question!"
"What are your plans this year?"
She considered, then nodded. "I'm planning a comeback. It's been three years since I acted in a movie. I'm preparing for my return to film—and for a big runway show."
The cameras flashed wildly. Then the atmosphere shifted.
Her family walked into the hall—her grandpa, Mike, Flora, Tracy, Daniel, Dennis, Emily, Charlie, and Cherry.
Mirabel stood, stunned. "What are you all doing here—"
"You should focus on me," a deep voice cut in.
Lucian.
He climbed the stage, commanding every eye in the room. Reporters shouted, cameras clicked.
"Lucian, what—"
Before she could finish, he dropped to one knee.
"Mirabel," his voice carried with raw emotion, "will you marry me, and make me the happiest man on earth?"
The room erupted into chaos. Gasps. Shouts. The flashing of cameras became blinding.
Mirabel froze. Her family gave her thumbs-up. Tracy mouthed the word: Yes.
Lucian waited, smiling, his heart laid bare.
But inside, Mirabel felt the weight of it all—the pressure, the expectations, the world watching.
She drew in a sharp breath.
To be continued…
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