Chapter 8 After getting discharged and resting for a week he couldn't wait to take me to the lavender fields in Napa Valley The moment we arrived , I was surrounded by gorgeous flowers everywhere - lights , music , the whole setup exactly how I liked it . ] The man next to me had vanished at some point [ ] He came back carrying a huge bouquet of roses , dropping to one knee in front of everyone : [ ] Last Christmas , you said no matter what my birthday wish was this year , you'd make it come true . Well , I want to make this official - will you marry me ? " ] His eyes were already getting misty [] He'd been treating me like a queen these past few weeks . ] ] After we got home , sometimes he'd wake up in the middle of the night frantically looking for me , then pull me close whispering : Tm getting trauma from that damn bed - scared every time I wake up that you'll be gone . You owe me compensation for emotional damage . " When we were tangled up together , he'd whisper in my ear : [ ] Madison Wells , I love you so fucking much . I've loved you for so many years - do you have any idea how happy I was when you agreed to that arranged marriage ... " I was curious about this , so I'd ask him when my head was clear again , but he'd always turn bright red and clam up . [ ] But today in the lavender fields , under the stars and moonlight , after I nodded yes , when we were both sweaty and pressed together in that glamping tent , he finally opened up : [ ] I fell for you the day you moved into base housing . " I looked up at him - that was our very first meeting , and the day I fell for him too . ] " After graduation , I was gonna confess , but I heard you telling your mom you thought you were too young for dating . So I figured I'd wait till after college . But then I heard you talking to your friend about being hung up on some guy for almost ten years . " ] That was the most crushing moment of my entire life . I kept wondering who the hell it was , desperately hoping it might be me , but thinking about how indifferent you always acted around me ... I figured I didn't have a shot 1 When Scarlett confessed to me , I didn't wanna say yes . But I was so messed up and hurt , I wanted to make you a little jealous . Except you didn't react at all , so I went home and got wasted and bawled my eyes out . My mam thought something was seriously wrong with me . 1 He took my hand and kissed my forehead : ] That kiss with her wasn't because I wanted to . Your friends were there that night , and you'd been ghosting me for weeks . I thought this stupid move might get back to you . But I regretted it instantly and ended up in the ER . Don't you ever throw that in my face again to scare me - you can hit me or yell at me , whatever , just don't run away . " " The airport thung was meeting a house designer - this hotshot architect I'd been trying to book forever , and I couldn't tell you beforehand because I wanted it to be a surprise . Then that bitch twisted everything around . 1 ] As soon as he mentioned the house , I remembered , but before I could ask , he already read my confusion : [ ] Think about it - didn't YOU say you loved that area ? I bought it as a gift for you . The deed's in your name and everything , and you thought I was cheating with some other woman ... I did vaguely remember saying something like that , but it was just a casual comment . Who knew he'd make such a big production out of it ? ] Fine , seeing him look so pitiful , my heart went soft . I reached out to pat his head , ready to comfort him , but then he turned the tables on me [ ] "Now it's my turn to ask - who's this guy you've been crushing on for over ten years ? Do you still like him ? " [ ] His voice was all sour and pouty , totally adorable [ ] Now it was my turn to comfort him . I lassed his lips softly and rested my head on his shoulder [ ] It's you . Always you I watched his tears fall clearly , then got attacked by his fierce kisses . [ ] When the next wave of pleasure fut , he whispered in my car : ] " Madison Wells , you can never leave Garrett Steele . You have to love Garrett Steele forever I ruffled his hair and said : Okay Two days later , Garrett posted a photo of our marriage certificate on Instagram with the caption [ Gut myself a wife . All you thirsty bitches can back the FUCK oft ( 2 ) Title: Cooking My Way Back to Love Author: CrushReel Genre: Modern, Revenge, Drama Status: ongoing In "Cooking My Way Back to Love" by CrushReel, Chef Leon Kennedy, once renowned as the "King of Cooking," spirals into despair following his wife's tragic demise in a car accident. Plunged into homelessness, he clings to his loyal dog as his sole anchor amidst loss and desolation. Amidst the ruins of his former life, Leon grapples with profound grief and seeks solace in the art of cooking—the very passion that once defined him. As he navigates the shadows of his past, themes of resilience, redemption, and the unyielding power of love intertwine in this modern tale of heartache and rebirth. Set against a backdrop of culinary mastery and emotional turmoil, "Cooking My Way Back to Love" delves into the depths of human emotion with raw authenticity. CrushReel skillfully crafts a narrative that captures the essence of loss and the arduous journey toward healing in a world marked by tragedy and shattered dreams. Experience the transformative journey of Chef Leon Kennedy as he rediscovers his purpose through the alchemy of flavors and emotions. Available to read online at CrushReel, this gripping drama promises a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.