hapter 21
Just then, a coworker hurried up to her, “Gwyneth, there’s a last–minute contract meeting at noon. Could you go in my place! My dad’s been rushed to the hospital. I need to be with him.”
Gwyneth didn’t have much on her plate, so she nodded. The coworker bowed in relief, scribbled down the time and address on a piece of paper, and then dashed off.
Gwyneth arrived at the hotel on time and wrinkled her nose at the p
gilded lobby. “He said it’s a small project, not This feels like overkill
“Something doesn’t add up. Is this little company trying to pull a fast one on me?” She approached the VIP lounge with caution and pushed the door
open.
Confetti exploded in a burst of color. The room was a sea of red roses, and there was Zachary, kneeling on one knee, holding up that pink diamond ring she used to cherish. “Marry me, Gwennie,” he said, his voice carnest.
The hotel staff and the hired crowd behind him were chanting, their enthusiasm almost deafening. “Say yes!”
But Gwyneth felt nothing. She had loved that ring once–back when it still meant something.
She remembered the days when Zachary was just starting out, when Everprosper Group could barely afford to get into an auction. They’d sit in i Farthest corner, holding hands, watching the glittering ring from a distance.
“One day, I’ll get you the most beautiful pink diamond ring,” he had promised, his voice soft and sincere.
Back then, she’d been so in love, leaning against his shoulder, content to be a background figure in the corner.
the
But before she ever got her ring, Bella was already wearing a matching pink diamond necklace. Bella had batted her eyelashes at Zachary, “I don’t deserve something this nice. You should give it to Gwyneth”
“She’ll get her own present. Zachary had said, stopping Bella from taking off the necklace.
All Gwyneth had gotten was a quick kiss on the forehead.
Every bit of love she’d given had been worthless to Zachary. And a diamond ring that came 100 late was just as worthless.
She stepped back into the hallway, the doorframe cutting them off from each other like a boundary. “I don’t need your junk.”
Her words made Zachary’s forehead crease into a frown. The cheers around him had died down, but he didn’t seem to notice.
He got up and walked straight toward Gwyneth. “Gwennie, didn’t you always love this diamond ring? You used to spend ages flipping through those auction catalogs, and this was the one you always talked about-
Suddenly, Zachary glanced down at the ring and let out a soft Lugh “Right… Forgot this was the style we both liked back then. But you deserve so much more now–bigger pink diamonds, a fancier ring. I get you something better, I promise—”
“Save your money and fix your delusion, Gwyneth snapped, her eyes cold and dismissive, “Don’t bring me someone else’s cast–off’s. It’s disgusting.” Then she turned and walked away, her high heels tapping a sharp rhythm on the polished floor.
Zachary pushed himself up, wincing at the sharp pain in his knee. But he was too focused to care. He lurched after her, grabbing her arm in a desperate attempt to stop her.
His eyes were filled with a mix of pain and regret as he stared at her. “Gwennie, please,” his voice trembled with urgency, let me explain. I know I was wrong. I regret everything”
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