A Question of Trust , A proposal ?

This is my take on how the "proposal" went. I think Emily's trust issues really came to surface here and I don't it was fair towards ali.

Alison let out a sharp breath, rubbing the back of her neck as she shifted uncomfortably. The frustration in Emily's voice stung, and the weight of her own secret felt heavier by the second. She hadn't expected this conversation to happen like this. She had imagined something sweet and heartfelt—soft candlelight, maybe a bottle of wine, and a quiet moment where she could ask Emily to be hers forever.

But instead, they were here, standing in the middle of their living room, the air thick with tension, and Emily was looking at her like she was the girl she used to be—like she was someone to be doubted.

Alison sighed, reaching for her purse where it sat on the armchair. She hesitated, fingers grazing the zipper, knowing the moment she opened it, everything would change. Maybe not in the way she had hoped.

"You really want to know what's in here?" Alison asked, her voice quieter now, the sharpness replaced with something more vulnerable.

Emily crossed her arms, jaw set. "Yes."

Alison exhaled through her nose, shaking her head slightly before finally unzipping the bag. She reached inside, fingers brushing against the small velvet box before she pulled it out and held it in front of Emily.

Emily's eyes narrowed at first, still caught in the fog of suspicion. But then recognition flickered across her face. Her expression softened, brows knitting together as she hesitantly took the small box from Alison's hand.

The weight of it in her palm was unmistakable.

Slowly, she lifted the lid.

Inside, nestled in the plush black fabric, was her grandmother's ring.

Emily's breath caught in her throat. Her lips parted, but no words came.

Alison watched her carefully, her stomach twisting into knots. A few seconds passed in silence before Emily finally whispered, "You… you want to propose to me?"

Alison swallowed hard. The words were out there now, but they didn't bring the joy she had hoped for.

"Yes," Alison admitted, her voice tight, as if saying it out loud made the rejection that much more real. She looked away, blinking rapidly. "But now, I don't think it's a good idea."

Emily's head snapped up, brows furrowing in confusion. "What? Why?"

Alison let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through her hair before finally meeting Emily's gaze. "Because you still don't trust me. Not even to have a simple conversation with your mom without assuming the worst."

Emily's mouth opened as if to protest, but she hesitated. She knew Alison had a point.

Alison sighed, shaking her head. "I get it, Em. I really do. I know I made a lot of mistakes in the past, and I know that trust isn't something I can just ask for—it has to be earned. But… I thought we were past this. I thought we were building something stronger."

Emily shifted on her feet, suddenly feeling guilty. "Ali, I—"

But Alison didn't let her finish.

"You know what?" she said, voice clipped as she turned away. "I don't want to have this conversation right now."

"Ali—"

"I'm going to sleep in the guest room."

Emily felt her stomach drop. "Ali, don't do that. Let's just—let's talk."

Alison shook her head, already heading for the stairs. "I don't have anything else to say tonight, Em."

Emily stood there, gripping the box tightly in her hands, watching as Alison disappeared upstairs. She wanted to call out to her, to say something—anything—that would fix this. But she couldn't find the words.

She looked down at the ring again, feeling its significance settle deep into her chest.

Alison had planned to propose.

And she had ruined it.

With a heavy sigh, Emily sank onto the couch, the velvet box still clutched in her fingers.

She had wanted honesty, but she hadn't stopped to think about what her accusations meant. What they said about her faith in Alison.

Emily closed her eyes, exhaling shakily.

She had to make this right.

Somehow.