The Campus Bad Boy Bet He Could Make the Poor Transfer Student Fall for Him — Then He Fell First
Chapter 11
Jake proposed one year later.
He didn’t do it publicly.
He took Elena to the city neighborhood where her first urban-planning project had been built.
Families lived there.
Children played outside.
Shops were open.
The community had remained.
Jake had helped fund the project.
Elena had designed it.
It represented both of them.
He took out a ring.
She stared.
“No.”
He laughed.
“That’s not the answer I was hoping for.”
“I mean no to the surprise.”
She smiled.
“Yes to everything else.”
He knelt.
“Elena Carter.”
She laughed through tears.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
They married months later.
Her mother cried.
Noah gave a speech.
Jake’s mother gave one too.
Even Jake’s father attended.
He shook Jake’s hand.
“I’m proud of you.”
Jake stared.
It was the first time he had heard those words.
He hugged him.
Their wedding was small.
Family.
Friends.
No luxury spectacle.
The ceremony was simple.
Elena said:
“You taught me that trust can be rebuilt.”
Jake said:
“You taught me that love isn’t a game.”
They promised to choose one another.
Again.
Every day.
After the wedding, Jake found Tyler.
They hadn’t spoken in years.
Tyler apologized.
“I was stupid.”
Jake smiled.
“So was I.”
Tyler looked at Elena.
“She seems happy.”
Jake nodded.
“She is.”
Tyler laughed.
“Then I guess you won.”
Jake shook his head.
“No.”
“What?”
“I stopped trying to.”
