Page 30 of Accidental Orc Daddy

I stare at him, feeling shocked and confused. "What are you saying, Mustaf?" I ask. "You want to marry me, but only for show?"

His body stiffens. “Don’t say it like that, Meiko,” he grumbles before sighing deeply. "I know it's not ideal, but it's a compromise. Think about your family’s reaction if they were to find out about the baby, about raising it yourself. It’s not right to make you do this as an unwed single mother, even if we don’t stay married for long. Your grandmother’s health, the delicate balance of happiness, and the well-being of our child… Are you really willing to risk all of that?”

I'm not sure what to think. On the one hand, it's a tempting offer. I don't want to disappoint my family, and this would be a way to avoid doing so without having to sacrifice my own happiness. But on the other hand, it feels wrong to deceive them in this way.

Looking into Mustaf's earnest eyes, I can see the sincerity in his expression. He truly wants to find a solution that works for both of us, and I can't help but feel grateful for his consideration.

As I think about the future of my child and my family, I realize that this compromise may be the best option for everyone involved. No, it's not ideal, but it's a way to keep everyone happy without sacrificing my own happiness.

"Okay," I say, taking a deep breath. "I'll do it. I'll agree to your proposal. But I can call it off at any time, for any reason."

Mustaf's eyes light up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you," he says, taking my hand in his. "I promise I'll make this work for both of us."

I nod, feeling a sense of hope and optimism that I haven't felt in a long time. Maybe this is the beginning of a new chapter for me and Mustaf, one where we can find a way to be happy together without sacrificing our own needs and desires.

Or maybe I’m just too tired to think clearly. But what’s the worst that can happen? Mustaf could have left me to raise the child on my own, but I can see he’s making the effort, so I’ve got to trust him. He deserves this.

Just as I'm starting to feel more comfortable with our arrangement, Mustaf does something that completely catches me off guard. He stands up, takes a deep breath, and then drops to one knee in front of me.

My heart starts racing as I watch him, feeling a mix of confusion and shock. "Wait, what are you doing?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mustaf looks up at me with a serious expression on his face. "I know this is a compromise, and I know we're not doing this for the typical mutual love," he says. "But I want you to know that I will always respect and care for you. And I want to make this as real as possible for our families and for our child."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box. I feel my breath catch in my throat as he opens it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. It's a stunning piece of jewelry, sparkling in the dim light of the hospital garden.

"Will you marry me?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine emotion.

I stare at him, completely taken aback. I had never expected this, never even considered it. But as I look into Mustaf's eyes, I can see that he means every word. He's not asking me for love, or even for a real marriage. He's asking me to be his partner, to help him navigate this complicated situation and provide a stable home for our child.

And as I think about it, I realize that maybe this is exactly what I need. Maybe this compromise, this arrangement, is the best possible solution for everyone involved.

"Yes," I say, my voice trembling with emotion. "I'll marry you."

Mustaf's face breaks out into a relieved smile as he slips the ring onto my finger. I watch speechlessly as it sparkles under the fluorescent lights.

"I know this isn't ideal," he says, his voice soft. "But I promise you, I'll do everything I can to make it work. For you, for the baby, and for our families."

I look into his earnest eyes, searching for any sign of insincerity. But all I see is genuine concern and care. And at that moment, I realize that maybe, just maybe, we can find a way to make this work after all.

CHAPTER 18

Mustaf

“Let’s get you back inside,” I say, offering her my hand.

Meiko takes it, letting me pull her to her feet, and starts down the path. I walk behind her as we head out of the garden, eyeing her frame in a moment of relief. She said yes. She isn’t going to try to keep me out of her life or our child’s life.

After her acceptance, she told me about how her last engagement went. It’s somewhat comforting to know the bar hasn’t been set very high.

This is my chance to be a provider and father to our baby and a good husband to Meiko. To be the man she deserves. Despite the tension following our reunion at the wedding, I still have that gap in my heart she carved when she left. Only she can fill it.

I follow her into the hospital, keeping a casual distance as we head toward where I presume her grandmother’s room is. She stops outside the door, turning around to face me. Her golden gaze melts me in place, vulnerable and unsure, while her hand comes up to tuck some hair away.

“Can you wait here?” she asks softly. “Let me prepare them before you just waltz in…”

Her expression is tense and she shifts with uncertainty. I’m sure the prospect of introducing a man to her family who she’s now engaged to that nobody knows about is stressful.

I nod, watching as some of the tension leaves her shoulders. After she slips through the door, I stick my hands into my pockets and wait.

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