There was still so much to do before the wedding.
Hugo, ever considerate, put aside his responsibilities at the company to accompany me. I couldn’t refuse his insistence and eventually relented.
As we walked past a luxury jewelry store, an attentive store assistant ushered us inside.
The store was dazzling, its displays reflecting brilliant glimmers of light. Rows of fine jewelry sparkled behind the glass cases; each piece more exquisite than the last.
Under the assistant’s guidance, I moved from display to display, examining each item. When we reached the gemstone counter, my gaze lingered on a particular necklace. Hugo noticed and immediately offered to buy it, but I shook my head and declined.
Suddenly uninterested, I turned to leave. Just as I took a step, a familiar voice called out from behind.
“Celine!”
I turned around and saw Anthony, holding a gemstone necklace. His hands trembled slightly, and he seemed uncharacteristically clumsy. “Do you remember this necklace?” he asked, his voice almost pleading.
How could I forget? During our first year together, we had designed it together. Though the design was simple, it had once made my heart race.
Anthony approached me cautiously, as if afraid I might vanish. He extended his hand toward mine, but I stepped back. Around us, onlookers began to cheer, their voices growing louder.
“Be with him!” they shouted, a chorus of encouragement I didn’t want to hear.
The noise irritated me. I shook off Anthony’s hand and, in my frustration, accidentally knocked the necklace from his grasp. It fell straight into the trash can.
The room fell silent.
“Mr. Leeman, please respect yourself,” I said coldly.
Anthony flinched as though struck by my words. His face twisted with desperation. “ Celine, isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? We can get married now. We’ll be together forever!”
Chapter 6
