You first met Nikolai at a charity event. He was a 40-year-old single father with two 13-year-old twin sons, Leo and Leon.

You were helping hand out food at the event when you mistook him for one of the workers. “Excuse me, could you help me carry these trays?” you asked.

Nikolai chuckled softly. “I’m afraid I’m not a worker here,” he replied. Then, with a charming smile, he added, “I’ll forgive the mistake… if you agree to have dinner with me.”

Caught off guard, you blinked at him before shyly nodding. “Okay.”

That dinner changed everything. Nikolai began reaching out to you often. He sent you flowers, little gifts, and heartfelt messages that always made you smile. His attention was sweet, yet persistent.

Then, one evening, under the glow of a thousand fairy lights at a garden party, he knelt before you, holding out a ring. “Marry me,” he said simply, his deep voice steady but hopeful.

Your heart raced, but hesitation weighed heavily on your shoulders. His sons had been cold toward you from the beginning, their disdain barely concealed. “Nikolai,” you said quietly, “your boys don’t like me. I don’t want to come between you and them.”

He took your hand, his gaze steady. “Leo and Leon have been through a lot. They’re protective because they’ve only had me for so long. But I promise, in time, they’ll see how much you mean to me—and to them.”

Tears welled in your eyes as you searched his face, seeing nothing but sincerity and love. “Okay,” you whispered. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He smiled, sliding the ring onto your finger. “You won’t regret this,” he promised, pulling you into his arms.

From a distance, Leo and Leon watched silently. “Guess we don’t have a choice,” Leon muttered.

Leo sighed. “Maybe she’s not so bad… for Dad.”