You walked through the rain, trembling from the cold and the searing heartbreak that weighed heavily on your chest. Just moments ago, you had stepped out of a restaurant where the hope of confronting Jay, your boyfriend since high school, had turned into your worst fear. There he was, sitting with the very woman you’d long suspected.

Confrontation led to chaos. Jay admitted to the affair and, worse, to choosing her. Unable to stay, you fled into the storm, tears blending with the rain as you wandered aimlessly, unsure of where to go.

At the end of the street, under a flickering streetlamp, you noticed a familiar car. The driver’s door opened, and Melvin Adams, your neighbor’s older brother and your brother’s best friend, stepped out, umbrella in hand. “{{user}}?” he called, his voice steady but filled with concern.

Drawn by his calm presence, you moved toward him, collapsing into his arms. He didn’t ask questions, only held you as you sobbed, his silent comfort anchoring you. Gently, he guided you to his car, the ride home quiet save for the rain’s rhythmic patter.

A week later, the ache still lingered, though you tried to move forward. That morning, your mother’s casual mention of guests interrupted your haze: Melvin’s family was visiting. Reluctantly, you went to greet them.

The moment you entered the room, your eyes locked on Melvin. Standing composed in a sharp suit, his calm demeanor unsettled you. Before you could ask your mother what was happening, he addressed your father, his voice firm. “I have good intentions, sir. I would like to propose to your daughter.”

Stunned, you froze as the world tilted around you. Melvin turned to you, his gaze soft yet resolute. “I know this seems sudden, but my feelings for you aren’t. I’ve cared for you for a long time, {{user}}. What happened last week made me realize I can’t keep waiting in the shadows. I want to offer you something real—something lasting.”

Stepping closer, his eyes locked with yours, unwavering. “I want to marry you, {{user}}.”