His eyes were red with anger, as if he were the one who’d been wronged. “Dahlia’s been planning your future together. And what does she get in return? A breakup text and all her things thrown to the door like you’re tossing her out? Spencer, don’t be so selfish!”
As he ranted, I watched Dahlia. Her earlier anger softened, replaced with something almost tender as her gaze fell on Gideon, as if she was touched by his anger on her behalf.
My stomach twisted painfully.
She gently pinched his cheek and whispered, “I’m fine.”
Then she turned back to me, hesitating for a long moment before speaking.
“I wasn’t planning to tell you this,” she said, almost whispering. “I’ve actually been thinking about marrying you. Spencer, haven’t you always complained that I don’t care enough? That everyone around us is getting married, having kids, and you’re still waiting for me to settle down?”
“Spencer.” She slipped her hand out of Gideon’s grip, reached into her pocket, and pulled out the watch I’d wanted for years.
Then she stepped closer to me. “I can forgive your tantrum. I won’t hold it against you, even though you went too far this time. But you need to promise me, no more acting like this. If Gideon hadn’t been here today, we would’ve been fighting again. Don’t you think so?”
“Spencer,” she said softly.
She opened the box. The diamonds inside caught the light and sparkled.
“I always remember what you like and what you don’t. So, can you stop being angry now?”
She lifted the watch, ready to put it on my wrist.
Behind her, I heard Gideon mutter in a mocking tone, “Only Dahlia would spoil someone like you. A spoiled man who doesn’t know how to behave, who else would tolerate that except her?”
As she leaned closer, her scent brushed against my nose. And suddenly, I remembered our argument that night—how I’d demanded to know why she had to leave, why Gideon was always the one she chose over me.
Why, in her heart, would I never compare myself to him?
That night, she looked at me like I was crazy and snapped, “Spencer, what else do you want from me?! I spend half my time at home with you. Half my life is wasted on you, and you still think it’s not enough? All I wanted was to hang out with my friends for once. What did I do wrong?!”
We fought brutally. And in the end, I said the words that broke everything.
Spencer's POV
“I’m telling you, if you walk out that door, we’re done.”