The morning sunlight streamed gently into the penthouse, painting everything with a golden warmth. Kasmine sat on the edge of the bed, her mind still spinning from the whirlwind that had upended her life in just a single night. She touched the silk sheets beneath her fingers, still unable to believe she was here, in the home of Bryce Stone—a man whose very presence seemed too grand for her world.
She half-expected him to demand repayment, to remind her of the ruined suit, or scold her for fainting in the middle of his business meeting. But when the door opened and Bryce himself walked in, there was none of that in his gaze.
Instead, his eyes softened the moment they landed on her.
"You should eat something," he said simply, placing a tray of breakfast on the bedside table. It wasn't a servant who carried it—it was him.
Her breath caught. "You… you don't have to…"
"I do," Bryce interrupted gently, pulling a chair closer and sitting beside her. His calm tone carried no arrogance, no trace of superiority. Just care. "You look pale. I won't have you starving yourself."
Kasmine lowered her gaze, her chest tightening in a way she couldn't explain. He wasn't treating her like someone who owed him anything. He wasn't cold, wasn't distant. He was… gentle.
After a few moments of silence, Bryce stood and extended his hand. "Come. There's someone waiting for you."
Her heart leapt. "Grandma?"
He gave a small nod, and that was all she needed. She placed her trembling hand in his, and he guided her out of the room.
The corridor seemed endless, lined with elegant paintings and glimmering lights, but all Kasmine could think of was her grandmother. When they reached another bedroom, the door was already slightly ajar.
Inside, a professional doctor was packing away his tools, speaking quietly with one of the assistants. On the bed lay her grandmother, looking frail yet peaceful, her breathing steady.
"Grandma…" Kasmine whispered, her throat tightening as she rushed forward.
Her grandmother's eyes fluttered open, and a tired but warm smile touched her lips. "Kasmine, child…"
Tears blurred Kasmine's vision. She clutched her grandmother's hand, relief washing over her. "You're okay. Thank goodness…"
It was then her grandmother's weak gaze shifted, noticing the tall figure standing quietly behind Kasmine. Her eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity.
"And… who is this fine young man?" her grandmother asked, her voice thin but filled with that sharpness only elders carried.
Kasmine froze, her cheeks burning. She opened her mouth to explain, but before she could, Bryce stepped forward, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. His voice was calm, steady, and unshakable.
"I'm Bryce Stone," he said with certainty. Then, with a faint curve of his lips, he added, "Her husband-to-be."
The room fell utterly silent.
Kasmine's heart stopped, her eyes widening as she turned to stare at him in disbelief. Husband-to-be? Her lips trembled, words caught in her throat.
Her grandmother blinked, stunned at first, then slowly, a knowing smile began to spread across her face.
"Oh…" she whispered softly, her voice laced with both surprise and relief. "So my Kasmine isn't alone after all."
Kasmine's chest tightened painfully. She wanted to protest, to deny it, to explain—but when she glanced at Bryce, at the unshakable calm in his expression, something inside her wavered.
He didn't say it as though it were a casual remark. He said it like it was the truth.
And the strangest part of all… some part of her heart didn't want to fight it.
Here's Chapter Three – Part 2, keeping the same natural, emotional, human-like storytelling style:
---
Chapter Three – Part 2
Kasmine's heart raced so violently she thought it might burst from her chest. Her grandmother's approving smile, Bryce's steady words—everything felt like a dream she had no control over.
She tried to speak, to deny what he had just boldly declared, but before a single word escaped her lips, Bryce moved.
The man who carried the weight of power in every step—who commanded rooms with nothing more than his presence—suddenly bent down on one knee before her.
Kasmine froze.
The world seemed to stop spinning.
His dark eyes lifted, locking on hers with a focus so intense it stole the very breath from her lungs. From his inner pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box. When he opened it, the light caught the diamond within, its brilliance almost blinding against the simple elegance of the setting.
"I don't believe in wasting time," Bryce said firmly, his voice low but unwavering. "From the moment I saw you, I knew you would change everything. You've already walked into my world, Kasmine. Now, I want you to stay in it—forever."
Her lips trembled. "M-Mr. Stone… you…"
"Bryce," he corrected softly, his gaze never leaving hers.
Her knees felt weak, her entire body trembling with shock. She had never once in her life imagined this—being proposed to by a man like him, in a place like this.
Her grandmother's frail hand suddenly tightened around hers. Kasmine turned, meeting the old woman's watery eyes.
"Say yes, child," her grandmother whispered, her voice fragile but filled with emotion. "Don't let this chance slip away. I can see it—he cares for you. And you deserve to be cared for."
Tears blurred Kasmine's vision. She shook her head, overwhelmed. "But Grandma, this… this is too sudden. I don't even understand why—"
Bryce reached up, his fingers brushing her hand with surprising gentleness as he held out the ring. "You don't need to understand everything now. Just trust me. I'll protect you. I'll protect her." His gaze flicked briefly to her grandmother, then back to her. "You won't have to struggle alone anymore."
Kasmine's heart hammered painfully in her chest. The sincerity in his eyes disarmed her, leaving her with nothing to shield herself.
Her grandmother's weak smile trembled with hope. "Say yes, Kasmine."
And in that moment, between the weight of her grandmother's wishes and the warmth in Bryce's steady gaze, Kasmine felt her walls beginning to crumble.
Kasmine's heart raced so violently she thought it might burst from her chest. Her grandmother's approving smile, Bryce's steady words—everything felt like a dream she had no control over.
She tried to speak, to deny what he had just boldly declared, but before a single word escaped her lips, Bryce moved.
The man who carried the weight of power in every step—who commanded rooms with nothing more than his presence—suddenly bent down on one knee before her.
Kasmine froze.
The world seemed to stop spinning.
His dark eyes lifted, locking on hers with a focus so intense it stole the very breath from her lungs. From his inner pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box. When he opened it, the light caught the diamond within, its brilliance almost blinding against the simple elegance of the setting.
"I don't believe in wasting time," Bryce said firmly, his voice low but unwavering. "From the moment I saw you, I knew you would change everything. You've already walked into my world, Kasmine. Now, I want you to stay in it—forever."
Her lips trembled. "M-Mr. Stone… you…"
"Bryce," he corrected softly, his gaze never leaving hers.
Her knees felt weak, her entire body trembling with shock. She had never once in her life imagined this—being proposed to by a man like him, in a place like this.
Her grandmother's frail hand suddenly tightened around hers. Kasmine turned, meeting the old woman's watery eyes.
"Say yes, child," her grandmother whispered, her voice fragile but filled with emotion. "Don't let this chance slip away. I can see it—he cares for you. And you deserve to be cared for."
Tears blurred Kasmine's vision. She shook her head, overwhelmed. "But Grandma, this… this is too sudden. I don't even understand why—"
Bryce reached up, his fingers brushing her hand with surprising gentleness as he held out the ring. "You don't need to understand everything now. Just trust me. I'll protect you. I'll protect her." His gaze flicked briefly to her grandmother, then back to her. "You won't have to struggle alone anymore."
Kasmine's heart hammered painfully in her chest. The sincerity in his eyes disarmed her, leaving her with nothing to shield herself.
Her grandmother's weak smile trembled with hope. "Say yes, Kasmine."
And in that moment, between the weight of her grandmother's wishes and the warmth in Bryce's steady gaze, Kasmine felt her walls beginning to crumble.
Kasmine's lips parted, her pulse pounding as though the world itself was pressing her for an answer. Bryce's eyes never wavered, steady as the diamond still gleaming in his hand. Her grandmother's soft plea echoed in her ears.
She drew in a shaky breath. "I… I'll say yes."
The words slipped out like a whisper, but they carried the weight of fate.
In the same heartbeat, Bryce's expression shifted—something uncharacteristically raw flickered in his gaze. Before Kasmine could even process the enormity of her answer, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was brief but searing, stealing the air from her lungs. Her eyes widened, her entire body stiffening in shock. It was her first kiss, unexpected, overwhelming, and it left her trembling. Bryce pulled back just as quickly, his own brows furrowed as though he was surprised at himself.
He hadn't planned it. He didn't even know why he did it. All he knew was that the moment she said "yes," he couldn't stop himself.
Kasmine's cheeks flushed scarlet, her fingers tightening around her grandmother's hand as she avoided his intense gaze.
Bryce cleared his throat, regaining his usual composure. Standing, he slipped the ring onto her finger with a quiet finality that sealed the promise. Then, turning slightly, he gave a sharp order.
"Lucas."
Almost immediately, the door opened and a tall, well-dressed man in glasses stepped in—his loyal assistant, Lucas.
"Yes, sir?"
"Bring in some suitable clothes and shoes for her. Elegant, refined. Something that matches her status."
Lucas bowed slightly. "Right away, Mr. Stone."
Kasmine's eyes widened. "Clothes? Shoes? For me?"
Bryce glanced at her, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We have dinner tonight. And I don't intend for my fiancée to look anything less than extraordinary."
Her heart nearly stopped at the word fiancée.
---
Later that evening, dressed in a soft silk gown that hugged her slender frame and delicate heels that made her feel like she was walking on air, Kasmine stood nervously at Bryce's side as they entered an exclusive restaurant. The chandeliers glimmered, the polished floors reflected their every step, and whispers followed them the moment they walked in—Bryce Stone had brought a woman.
At the private dining area, she froze. Waiting at the table was her—the same elegant woman who had been with Bryce at the café. Her red lips curled into a smirk the moment her eyes landed on Kasmine.
"Well," the woman drawled, her voice dripping with disdain, "so this is the little waitress who ruined your suit, Bryce?"
Kasmine stiffened, shame flooding her cheeks. She opened her mouth, but no words came.
The woman's eyes scanned Kasmine up and down, filled with ridicule. "Pathetic. Do you really think wearing designer clothes can hide the fact that you're nothing but—"
"Enough."
Bryce's voice cut like steel. The woman froze, stunned.
He stood, sliding his chair back with deliberate calm. Placing a hand lightly on Kasmine's shoulder, he spoke with a firm finality that silenced the entire room.
"She is my fiancée," Bryce said evenly, his eyes sharp as ice. "And I will not tolerate anyone speaking down to her."
Gasps rippled among the onlookers, but Bryce didn't care. His hand on Kasmine's shoulder was steady, protective, declaring to the world that she belonged by his side.
Kasmine's heart throbbed violently, her chest tightening with a mix of fear, relief, and a strange, overwhelming warmth.
For the first time in her life, someone stood up for her.