Brian appeared moments later, leaning against the doorframe. He walked toward me, hands in his pockets, then pulled out a ruby necklace with a gemstone the size of a pigeon egg.
“It’s, um, peace offering. Will you forgive me?”
He thought I was upset because he had postponed our engagement party. That wasn’t it at all. I was tired of his charade. Tired of seeing him force himself to love me.
When I said nothing, Brian unfastened the necklace and slipped it around my neck.
“The company is hosting a celebration tonight. Come with me,” he said.
“I can’t,” I replied, pushing my suitcase past him. “I have plans.”
“You wouldn’t want your fiancé to show up at the party with another woman on his arm, would you? Besides, there’ll be a lot of big names in the industry tonight. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
I hesitated, releasing the handle of my suitcase.
This trip to Dubai… it could be a one-way ticket. I might never return. Maybe I should use this as a chance to say goodbye to some of my former colleagues.
I nodded slightly.
Brian’s mood immediately lifted. He called for a makeup artist and stylist to come upstairs.
An hour later, I emerged in a floor-length, couture gown with an elegant train, the ruby necklace resting against my collarbone.
When Brian saw me, his eyes lit up as he opened the car door. “You look beautiful!”
Just as I stepped toward Brian’s car, Laurel pushed past me, lifting the hem of her dress dramatically.
“This gown is too big to fit in that small car. Can we switch, Angie?” Laurel asked, her voice dripping with sweetness. The ruby necklace she wore—far larger and more radiant than mine—caught the sunlight, sending dazzling reflections that felt almost mocking.
I glanced at my own necklace, its delicate chain and modest pendant suddenly looking like a trinket from a clearance sale.
“My dress is big too,” I replied in a cold tone, refusing to give in to her petty games.
Laurel pouted dramatically, leaning closer to Brian. “But I get carsick. I need a bigger car,” she whined, her voice soft and pitiful as if she were some fragile creature in need of protection.
She pouted, her lips trembling slightly as she looked at Brian with feigned innocence. Brian gave me a doting smile, but his hand moved behind his back to reassure her. I watched their interaction in silence, a cold laugh echoing in my mind. Did he not realize how obvious he was?