There was no hesitation. No regret. Just sheer contempt, as if she were nothing more than filth beneath their shoes.
It was suffocating.
Her mind reeled back to the past—the laughter, the warmth, the way Howard and Brad had once looked at her with genuine care. But those memories shattered against the harsh reality of the present.
The crowd’s taunts grew louder, their laughter cutting through her like a blade.
And the two men who once meant everything to her stood silently, making no effort to stop it.
Then—something cold from her hand.
The diamond ring.
It landed with a sharp clink, jarring her back to reality.
Right.
The man she was going to marry wasn’t them.
That thought alone was enough to steady her.
Nikki swallowed back her emotions, lowered her gaze, and without a word, turned on her heel. Tears clung to her lashes, but she only let out a cold, bitter smile as she walked away.
Howard’s expression darkened. His brows furrowed as he called after her.
"Don’t you have anything to say?"
"Sister, that diamond ring on your hand is gorgeous!"
Lora’s eyes sparkled as she caught sight of the dazzling gem. Without hesitation, she grabbed Nikki’s hand, gasping in awe. "Is this the Graff Pink Heart diamond—the one and only in the world?"
Then, her tone darkened. "Could this be the wedding ring that Howard and Brad prepared for me? It’s stunning..."
Nikki winced as Lora’s grip tightened painfully around her fingers. Before she could pull away, Brad—who had been standing nearby—noticed Lora’s interest. Without a second thought, he forcibly yanked the ring off Nikki’s finger and handed it to Lora as if offering a prized possession.
His voice was filled with irritation. "Brother, when did you even get a wedding ring? Are you seriously thinking about marrying this fake, who shamelessly flirts around?"
Howard’s sharp gaze flickered between the ring and Nikki’s face. His voice was cold and firm. "That’s impossible."
Lora blinked innocently. "Then... Could it be that one of those playboys from earlier, or maybe some other man, gave it to my sister?"
Nikki watched as Lora slid the ring onto her own finger. Ignoring the pain still stinging her hand, she quickly reached out, her face turning icy. "Give it back! It’s mine!"
But just as her fingertips grazed Lora’s, Howard seized her arm with a bruising grip. His eyes were dark, his voice laced with warning.