It'll Come Naturally
Chapter 1713 The Proposal (Part One)

"Mommy, I feel sick," Joyce cried out softly. The pain caused by the high fever was becoming unbearable to her.

"Don't worry, Joyce, you will be fine soon. Just take a good rest. When you wake up, I promise you will feel better, sweetheart," Annie murmured gently as she patted Joyce on her back in an attempt to console her.

Rain came over and put the back of his hand on Joyce's forehead to gauge her temperature. It didn't feel as hot as before. The fever seemed to have reduced.

"She'll sleep well. The fever is almost gone. We can go home after a while," Rain said as he smoothed down Annie's messy hair. She had rushed over to the hospital in such a hurry that she didn't have time to put on a coat or comb her hair. Fortunately, the room was equipped with a heater, so Rain didn't need to worry that she might catch a cold.

"Okay." Annie turned her head to the side timidly, avoiding his touch. She was embarrassed by how she had lost control of her emotions and thrown a tantrum at him just moments ago.

"Bring Joyce to my place later. I will send someone to pick up Huey in the morning, all right?" Rain suggested, feeling uneasy. He feared that Annie would refuse his offer once again.

"I..." Annie was caught in a dilemma. She didn't want to agree, as she somehow felt that there was no valid reason for her to stay over at his place. She was not his legal wife. If she refused, there would be little chance that they would be together again. It was a difficult and momentous choice that would decide their fate together.

"Annie, I know what you are concerned about. You are not secure around me because I used to be a womanizer. But I've changed, Annie. I promise you, from now on, I will only love you and the kids. No one else holds a place in my heart. Just give me a chance, just one. I want to take care of our family," Rain said. He took off the necklace from his neck and slipped out the ring hanging on it. Getting down on one knee, he gazed at her, his eyes shining with sincerity.

The ring was old and might not have been appropriate for a proposal, but it was special to him. It was the only thing his mother had left him. He had been wearing it all these years. The piece of jewelry spanned two generations. Today, he wanted to hand over the precious ring to Annie, in hopes that she could feel his love through it.

"You... are you serious?" Annie was too familiar with the ring. She remembered that many years ago, when she was in Britain, it had piqued her interest when seeing it on him. She found it strange that a man would wear a ring around his neck. Besides, it didn't fit in with his handsome and modish look. The ornament looked a bit cheesy on him. She could tell from first glance that the ring didn't cost much, and she had suggested he change into a more fashionable necklace.

He had all but refused her, declaring that it was the only thing he had of his mother. He had no intentions of having it taken off his neck unless he died. It shocked her that he used the same ring to propose to her. It was a clear indicator of how important she was to him. Annie knew how much courage and determination it took for him to hand it over to someone else.

"Of course, I'm serious. I imagine my mother would be happy to see you wear the ring. Please, just accept it." It was not the right time or place for a proposal, but he was consumed by the desire to make her his. He feared this was all a dream and that once dawn broke, he would wake up and the moment would disappear into thin air.

"Rain, can I... can I really take it?" Annie looked down at him with tears in her eyes. It was all going too fast and had managed to catch her off guard.

"Let me put it on your finger. Sorry, it is so late and I can't think of anything else that I can give to express my love for you. Please make do with this ring for now. I will buy you a new one first thing tomorrow." Hesitating, Rain slid it on her ring finger. As he saw the ring rest on it, he let out a trembling breath. He was finally relieved.

"You don't need to buy me another ring. I like it. It belonged to your mother and I know how important it is to you. You've given it to me now. I promise I'll never let it out my sight. I see how much you want this between us." Annie gestured to the space between them, smiling as happy tears slid down her face. They had been quarreling with each other just moments ago, and now they were engaged. What a leap! She didn't think they would come into marriage so soon.

"Is that a yes?" Rain was still slow and hesitant to realize what was happening. His silly question came after he had already put the ring on Annie's finger. Did he not get a hint, or was he just obtuse?

"You have to promise me that you won't shout at me as you did just now." Annie pouted, looking unhappy. She was the daughter of the British C Financial Group's CEO and had always lived a luxurious life. If it were not for Rain, she would not have left her comfortable home and traveled this far. She was a girl born with a silver spoon in her mouth and was easily hurt when someone talked to her harshly. That way, she could be very obstinate.

"Okay, I promise." As long as she was willing to marry him, Rain would do whatever she wanted. Even if she asked him to slap himself, he would relent!

"Get up. You look so stupid down there." Annie didn't think it was possible for her to forget Rain in this lifetime. She wanted to give their relationship another chance. They might not have a perfect ending, but at the very least, they would make some beautiful memories together. She was just being realistic, not cynical. In these times, it was not uncommon for a marriage to break. Rain had always been a playboy. Today, he might feel as if he loved her so much that he couldn't live without her. But tomorrow, he might feel the same about another woman.

"Then it's a yes?" Rain asked his idiotic question again. His IQ must have fallen to zero because he was so in love.☐☐☐☐☐