As I watched him bustling around the kitchen, I noticed a hint of nervousness in his movements.
Of course, he was nervous—today was the day Alanna, the person he’d been waiting for, finally returned. Who wouldn’t be?
Seeing me frozen in place, he walked over and tapped my forehead lightly.
“Silly girl, hurry up and eat, or you’ll be late.”
I nodded, sitting down to quietly share what I knew would be our last breakfast together.
When we stepped out, Derick grabbed my hand.
Before I could react, a diamond ring slid onto my finger.
“Skye, congratulations on your graduation,” he said with a smile.
The diamond sparkled brilliantly under the light, but I didn’t feel a thing. I simply said, “Thank you,” with polite indifference.
I wasn’t going to keep playing the role of the devoted couple with him anymore.
Because once again, he wasn’t proposing to me—he was practicing for Alanna.
Last night, I’d seen the messages in his “proposal planning” group chat.
[Derick, if you’re nervous, practice with your girl at home a few more times.]
[Yeah. After all, those two seemed to have the same taste in everything.]
[Derick, do a trial run with Skye tomorrow morning. You can’t mess this up—especially after buying a diamond worth a fortune. But if Alanna rejects you, don't worry, it won't be a total waste as your girl would surely love it.]
Skye's POV
That morning, when Derick slipped the ring onto my finger, I finally understood—it was all part of their plan.
Every gift he had ever given me was something Alanna had rejected first.
Seeing the hopeful look on Derick’s face fall to disappointment oddly made me feel a sense of satisfaction. Still, I suppressed my laughter and glanced at my watch, pretending to check the time.
“Derick, if we don’t leave now, we’re gonna be late.”
Only then did he grab his car keys and pull me along in a rush.
When I got into the passenger seat, it was obvious he had cleaned the car thoroughly. Every trace of me had been erased.
Arriving at the entrance to the ceremony hall, I stepped out of the car. Derick then handed me my bag and finally said his fake excuse, “Skye, I have something at work this afternoon, so I’ll send my assistant to pick you up, okay? But I’ve already booked that restaurant you’ve been talking about all week. Let’s celebrate there tonight.”
I smiled politely. “Alright. Goodbye, Derick.”
Then, without looking back, I walked toward the hall.