Meet Me Where the Oak Tree Grows novel Chapter 56

I said earnestly, "It won't happen. Fate can't be that cruel. I believe you'll come back."

He replied, "Alright, I'll come back."

From that moment on, each day felt like a countdown.

I tried to keep myself busy, hoping to distract myself from the heartache looming over our separation.

One afternoon, while going through my old high school textbooks, a postcard from a bridal studio fell out. It was from a previous adventure with my roommate for a photo shoot, and the studio owner had given it to me. She had asked if I'd be interested in modeling wedding dresses for them. Back then, I was swamped with schoolwork, so I politely turned it down. I wasn't sure if it was too late to change my mind now.

Luckily, when I called, the owner told me her offer was still open. That day, I took Jonah with me, secretly hoping to wear the wedding dress for the person I loved. The dresses were absolutely stunning, and I was overwhelmed by all the choices. The young owner suggested we both model together, saying we looked like the perfect match. I laughed and shook my head, explaining that he wasn't keen on being in photos.

While I was inside getting styled, Jonah patiently waited on the sofa. The intricate white wedding gown wrapped around me, with a diamond necklace resting gently on my collarbone. My hair was styled into soft waves that lazily draped over my shoulders, topped with a sparkling tiara, and I stepped into petite, elegant silver heels.

The reflection in the mirror showed a lively, beautiful bride, ready to walk down the aisle. As I stepped out, he looked up, and our eyes locked in a quiet, lingering gaze, as if time itself had paused. Emotions swirled in his dark eyes; he blinked, and then his gaze was serene once more.

"You look amazing," he said.

Love can conquer all obstacles. The path of true love is never smooth. Love faces challenges, and love overcomes them. I wanted to believe in that.

Just as the shoot was wrapping up, Jonah returned. He didn't explain where he'd been, and I didn't ask. If he wanted me to know, he'd tell me himself.

Love faces challenges, and sometimes love struggles to overcome them. Cooper and Madison had broken up. That evening, Jonah, Cooper, Madison, and I gathered for dinner. At first, everything seemed fine. Then Madison drank a bit too much and pulled out her driver license, slamming it on the table. Her voice shook, filled with desperate courage:

"Cooper, just tell me, will you marry me? If you nod, we can get the paperwork done tomorrow. I don't care about anything else. I'll wait for you, even if it's ten or eight years. I've got time on my side."