Chapter Twelve

Ivan felt Sera's tightened grip on his arm bring him back to what was happening. The hall was now quiet, everyone looking at the couple. Ivan swallowed hard and turned to look at Sera, who gave him her signature smile.

Then he looked at the waiting crowd and lifted the microphone towards his mouth. His eyes found Shawn again as he spoke, "Thank you, everyone. It brings me joy to see that you receive our announcement with great joy. Ever since Sera came into my life, I have never been the same. She has been amazing in so many ways that I can't imagine not spending my life with her. Asking Sera to marry me wasn't something I had to think about again and again. I knew she was the perfect woman for me..." Ivan swallowed the lump in his throat as his grip tightened on the microphone.

He looked over at Sera and smiled at her as he continued, this time avoiding Shawn's gaze. "I fell in love with you, never felt anything like this with anyone. She completes me. She makes me feel like it's ti