Chapter 14 - The Question at the Finish Line
Two years after beginning rehabilitation, Adrian returned to Central Park.
At sunrise.
He couldn't run.
Not yet.
Maybe never.
But he could walk.
Rebecca had challenged him to complete one mile.
Hannah walked beside him.
Halfway through, Adrian's left leg began trembling.
“Chair?” she asked.
He considered it.
“Not yet.”
They continued.
Three quarters.
Then nine-tenths.
At the final stretch, Adrian stopped.
Hannah looked worried.
“Pain?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
He reached into his jacket.
Her eyes widened.
“Adrian.”
He lowered himself carefully onto one knee.
It was medically unnecessary.
Extremely difficult.
And absolutely worth it.
Hannah covered her mouth.
“I spent years thinking independence meant needing nobody.”
He opened the ring box.
“You taught me that choosing someone isn't dependence.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Hannah Lang, will you keep arguing with me for the rest of my life?”
She laughed.
“That is the worst proposal I've ever heard.”
“Is that a yes?”
“No.”
Adrian stared.
She let him suffer for three seconds.
Then dropped to her knees and kissed him.
“That's a yes.”
People nearby applauded.
Adrian whispered against her forehead.
“You're cruel.”
“You hired me.”
“My mother hired you.”
May you like
“Details.”
They finished the mile together.
