Unwanted Proposal

 Here’s a story exploring that situation:

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The Unwanted Proposal

The evening air was thick with the scent of roses and the soft murmur of waves crashing against the shore. Ethan stood nervously on the beach, clutching a small velvet box in his trembling hands. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, casting a romantic glow over the scene he had meticulously planned.Lila arrived, her footsteps crunching softly on the sand. She looked stunning, her hair catching the light as she approached. She smiled politely when she saw Ethan, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. He noticed but brushed it off, his heart pounding with anticipation.“I wanted to talk to you,” Ethan began, his voice shaky. “I’ve been holding this in for a while now, and I can’t keep it to myself anymore.”Lila tilted her head, her expression cautious. “What is it, Ethan?”Taking a deep breath, Ethan knelt on one knee and opened the box to reveal a delicate diamond ring. “Lila, you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met. I’ve fallen for you completely. Will you marry me?”For a moment, there was only the sound of the waves and a seagull calling in the distance. Lila stared at him, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she reached down and closed the box, gently pushing it back toward him.“Ethan,” she said softly, “I don’t know how to say this without hurting you, but... I don’t feel the same way.”Ethan’s face fell, his heart sinking into the pit of his stomach. “What? I thought… I thought we had something.”Lila sighed, sitting down beside him. “You’re kind, and I value you as a friend. But I’ve never thought of you romantically. I’m so sorry if I ever gave you the wrong impression.”Ethan sat frozen, the ring still in his hand. He had spent months imagining this moment, convinced that she felt the same spark he did. But her words shattered that illusion.“Why didn’t you tell me before?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.“I didn’t know you felt this way,” Lila admitted. “I didn’t want to assume. You’ve always been sweet, but I didn’t see it as more than friendship.”He nodded slowly, the reality of the situation settling in. “I guess I just hoped…”Lila placed a hand on his shoulder. “You deserve someone who loves you the way you love them. And one day, you’ll find her. But it’s not me.”The sky grew darker as they sat there, the weight of unspoken emotions lingering between them. Ethan finally stood, brushing the sand from his pants.“Thank you for being honest,” he said, his voice steadier now. “I think I need some time to process this.”Lila nodded. “Take all the time you need. I hope we can still be friends, but I understand if it’s too hard.”Ethan managed a small smile. “Maybe someday.”As he walked away, the velvet box tucked back into his pocket, he realized that sometimes, love was about letting go. It hurt, but he knew she was right. Somewhere out there, someone was waiting for him—the right person, the one who would see him the way he had seen Lila.And for the first time, he felt a sliver of hope that he would find her.