Looking at him, all I could feel was fear—fear of how utterly unfamiliar he’d become.
I could take being framed by her. I could take being mocked by everyone here.
But Ross…
This jerk really thought I would humiliate myself, fight, and lose every ounce of dignity over a ring.
At that moment, I almost heard something inside me crack.
Eight years together, and it was only now I realized I didn’t know him at all.
“If you don’t believe me, check the security footage,” I said hoarsely, anger trembling beneath the restraint. “Just one look at the footage and—”
“Is that really necessary?”
His cold voice sliced through my words, his tone sharp with mockery.
“Why would Zamora—a billionaire’s daughter—want to frame you?”
At this moment, I almost laughed in anger.
Zamora sniffled softly, her eyes glistening. “I don’t understand why Issy would accuse me like this…”
Ross stepped closer, his voice low and soothing, but it carried the weight of command.
“Issy, stop it, okay? You know everything I do… It’s for us.”
Before I could even respond, he reached for my hand.
And the next second, he yanked the ring off my finger.
The sharp edge of the band sliced through my skin. Blood welled along my knuckle, bright against my pale hand.
I gasped as pain shot through my fingertips.
His movement faltered slightly. For an instant, his gaze lingered on the bleeding cut—hesitant, conflicted. He looked like he wanted to say something.
But then that flicker of softness vanished, swallowed whole, as if it had never existed.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he turned away and gently slipped the ring onto Zamora’s finger instead.
“My fiancée,” he said softly but firmly, “is Zamora. Issy and I have nothing beyond a professional relationship.”
When he finally looked back at me, his expression was so detached it was almost cruel.
“Issy, if you’re not feeling well, go home and rest.”
The room fell deadly silent. Even the air seemed to freeze.
I stared at him, unable to breathe. The pain in my chest pressed down so hard it hurt to inhale.
In a matter of minutes, I’d gone from resigning of my own accord to being publicly dismissed.
Of course, he couldn’t have the world thinking the “orphan” he’d taken a pity on had any special tie to him.
After a long moment, I let out a quiet, shaky laugh.
Then, I reached up and pulled the plain silver ring from the chain around my neck.