I raised my hand, letting the ring glint softly. “I want to get married. I finally understand now—it’s not about Adrian anymore. It’s you. You’re the one I choose.”
I thought he would smile. I thought he would pull me into his arms.
Instead, he laughed under his breath.
“Marriage?” he said, leaning back. “I don’t see why we need to rush into something like that.”
The words struck me hard. “What… what are you saying?”
He swirled the wine in his glass, his expression detached. “Work has been overwhelming. The company is consuming all my time. Maybe next year. Or later.”
“Later?” I echoed, my throat tightening. “You said you would wait. You promised me.”
He frowned. “And you turned me down back then, Seraphina. That was your decision. Don’t put this on me now.” His tone sharpened. “Besides, marriage doesn’t really benefit me at this point. You don’t contribute to the business. You don’t even bring connections or family ties. What exactly would change?”
I felt frozen in place. “I left everything behind for you,” I whispered. “I ignored everyone who warned me not to live like this—with no marriage, no security. I chose you.”
Dominic’s lips curled into something mocking. “And now you want to act like a victim? Don’t lie to yourself. You stayed because of Adrian’s heart. You wanted him close—even if it wasn’t really him. You used me just as much.”
My chest burned. “But you know it wasn’t like—”
“Eat your dinner,” he snapped, standing up. “I have other matters to deal with tonight.”
Before I could say another word, his phone rang.
He answered, and I caught the butler’s frantic voice through the speaker. “Sir Dominic, Miss Helena was injured. Her husband assaulted her. She’s been rushed to the hospital.”
Dominic’s color drained instantly. He didn’t explain. He didn’t look back.
He simply left.
The name echoed painfully in my head—Helena.
Six years ago, Helena had been Dominic’s fiancée. She left him the moment she learned about his heart condition, choosing a healthier, wealthier man instead. And in that same week, Adrian died.
Adrian and Dominic had been close since college—friends bound by years of shared memories, rivalry, and loyalty. That was why Adrian’s family agreed to the transplant. They believed they were honoring their son’s bond, allowing his heart to live on.