Paul smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and affection. “I know we’ve never been big on Valentine’s Day,” he said, handing her the bouquet. “But this year, I thought… why not make it memorable?”
Charlotte blinked, caught off guard by the grand gesture. Her fingers brushed against the petals of the roses, the sweet scent filling the air. “Paul… this is… a lot,” she murmured, feeling a flutter of emotion she hadn’t expected.
He laughed softly, setting the balloons down and taking her hands in his. “Maybe it’s a little over the top. But you deserve it, Charlotte. I want to show you that I notice you, appreciate you… love you. Every day, not just today.”
Charlotte’s chest tightened. For a moment, all her lingering doubts seemed to fade under the warmth of his words and the sincerity in his gaze. “You really didn’t have to,” she said, her voice soft but tinged with wonder.
Paul shook his head, smiling. “I wanted to. Life’s too short to let moments like this slip by unnoticed. Besides,” he added with a playful grin, “I like seeing you surprised.”
Charlotte let out a small laugh, the tension she had been carrying for weeks lifting slightly. Yet, deep in the back of her mind, a tiny whisper persisted—something about the timing, the suddenness, and the intensity of the gesture that didn’t quite fit the man she thought she knew. But for now, she set it aside, letting herself enjoy the moment, the roses, the balloons… and the man who claimed he loved her more than ever.
As they embraced, the sunlight caught the shimmer of the balloons, and Charlotte couldn’t help but wonder: was this Valentine’s Day a beautiful surprise—or the start of a revelation she wasn’t ready to face?