Sierra looked up from behind the closet door. “Oh, you’re back. I’m heading home for a while.”
she had accumulated a lot over two years some clothes and shoes could be donated, but she needed to sort everything. When she left, she wouldn’t leave a trace of
herself behind.
Her eyes caught on the fresh
fresh, mark on his neck. She looked away, unfazed.
She was done caring about what–or who–he did |
“Why the sudden trip homers angry about last night? Binning away?l
“No, just missing my family. Want to vish.”
Julian’s expression related. “That’s good.-
In three years, Sierra had never gone home.]
Se’d spent every holiday alone.
He couldn’t leave his daily to spend holidays with her, and he certainly couldn’t bring her home for holdays.
His mother, Caroline Westwood, would never accept someone without the right background.
Tes swamped with work, so I can’t come with you. When’s your flight? Til have james drive you to the airport“]
sura inised her favore preces carefully into the suitcase.]
“No need I’ve got a ride.
Julin fried
La
(Bide his relied
hed dreaded her waking him to meet her parents.
After three years normal couples would be discussing marriage]
But he waunt normal. He was Julian Westwood, sole heir to Westwood Capital ||
Their social divale was an undergrade gapl
Julian knew they had no fuluer ||
Meeting parents would be pouless||
never probing for more []
Jeshinid’s words echoed: “Keep both. If you feel guilty, post by her nice things.
Maybe he could marry Ars, keep Sierra as his mistress||
A woman Eke Sierra would never find another man of his states]
She Joyed him too much to leave
Med talk to her after she returned.
en are easy to please “||||
“Text me when you land,” Joban said. “Let me know when you’re back in New York–I’ll pick you up.”||
Sett med a soft “nkay.“]
Iwon’t he back, she thought.
Julian’s phone rang
After a brief call, he turned to her: “I need to go. About last night–1 shouldn’t have left you there. I got you something. My assistant will drop le of
Sierra gave a nonoreumiiral response ||
As soon as pullian left. Sierra’s phone up with a message from Asher:]
Chapter 16
[Lis, the custom engagement ring I commissioned from Chaumet þut errived at their boutique. Would you like to see 87||
jeweler favered by European aridocracy.]
Chaumet, the prestigious Parisian jewe
she’d only agreed to the stranged marriage days ago, yet the ring was already here“]
Had it been commesoned in advaner?
Sierra replied with a simple
At the Chaumet boutique, the specialist with the polished grace characteristic of the Parisian house, presented the ring (
Mis James, this is the ring Mr. Blackwood specially commissioned for you.
Se examined the exquisite piece. A rare five–carat blue diamond, surrounded by a bale of pink and white diamonds, sparked briantly under the boutique lights, H was breathtaking
we’ve engraved your initials trade the band, as requested.“|||
sierra looked closely- “AB TW” was delicately inscribed within
The thought and care put into the design was evident.
The ring fit perfectly on her finger |
It’s stunning the specialist said sincerely.
Past then, Julian’s voice cut through the moment
“Satta? What are you doing here?“]]
She turned with a frown.
Jelam extantly dropped Aria’s hand.
A flash of coldness crossed Aria’s eyes befor her expression smoothed.
Sierra wasn’t surprised to see them together. Not anymore.
“Just trying on a ring,” she said with a sweet smile.
Jubal, strode forward, his expression darkening when he saw the ring
Sierra wiggled her fingers, making the diamonds catch the light. “What do you think? Beautiful, KANTİE
Anger flickered in Julian’s eyes
They kath knew what a ring symbolized
Julian had thought Serra understood her place.
He hadit expected her to capire to things beyund her station
Marriage went something he could offer lir
– She wand murthy of it
Aris unded brightly
Alethe “What a coincidence! þul and d are hure to look at rings too “||
Buerra loughed komandly.
Sa that a whai Julianarea
ins “mportant busines” was shopping for rings with Aria?||
Julian didn’t deny 1 ||
That render alone had to beat carat
And theer fare pink diamonds in the hals…||
This rug mast cost millions. The audacity of her even trying it on–how embarrassing
Sierra ignored Arix’s challenging tone, admiring the ring on her hand
She had to admit. Asher had impeccable taste
“That’s quite a ring, Sierra.” Aria sad sweetly.]
julian’s face darkened further. Take it off. Sierra.
[www]
What are you playing at? Trying to
Trying to pressure me into marriage?” paban finally exploded. “I will never marry you!” ||
Art curved slightly, triumphant
“Actually, Julian and I are here at Caroline’s request.” she said, referring to Julian’s mother. She’s very particular about the family ring”
The implication was clear she was Caroline Westwood’s chosen daughter–in–laws, Sierra shouldn’t dream of joining the Westwood family ||
slerra found their assumptions amusing
She was trying on her Cance’s custom ring, and they were baving a meltdown?
One assuming she was desperate for marriage
The other bragging about Caroline’s approval ||
As if the Westwoods were such a catch. Her father wouldn’t even consider them significant enough to matter.
“Noted.” Sierra said neutrally |
Julan and Aru exchanged confused looks.
Why win‘ the upsett
Aria studied Sierra’s face, searching for signs of jealousy or resentment
But Sierra’s expression revealed nothing.
Ars could tell if she was genuinely unbothered or just hiding it well
Julian’s Lace had turned tvanderous
know we’d be here?““]
this funny to you? Did you plan this? Did you k
be clear–we will never work out. This aide stunt won’t change that“||
“Marriage about equal danding How could some love you ever marry.
try into my family?”||
julian’i anger spiled out. “Look at yourself–its embarrassing!“||
Hemained talm
“Im endarrassing?” she asked mild
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but we havent bruken up so that makes Aria the other woman, and you the cheater. Who’s really embarrassing here?“||
naved with fury. Take it off.
“Tiger Keep run! 12 never huy you a ring, and fill never marry you
Jin glared at her midlerence, then turned out ||
Quer they left, the sper
oked lewilfried. “Mu jameson, those people were 7||
“No one important.” Sierra replied ||
Three years together, and Julian had never considered marriage
Lede did he know, he wasn’t even in her league. She’d never planneill to marry him either ||
Sierra sent photos of the ring to Asher
What do you think?
Mearchile, in London, in the CEO’s office of Blacknood Industries.
Asher smiled at the message from “Lia-
Setting aside his documents, he typed:”
[Beautiful. Do you like it?[]
I do 1
His de deepened.
Im glad
Jaber, this ring must have cost a fortune.I
(You’re worth every penny.1_
His assstant. William, stood by wwabing signatures, trying and utterly falling to the subtle about stealing glances at his boss
Moody hell, was he seeing this rightl
The infamous Ice King of London’s financial district–the man whose mere presence could lower room temperature by several degrees–was actually… smding?
And not just any smile, mind you. The usually
by state CEO looked postitvely chuffed, like a man who’d just been handed the keys to Buckingham Palace.
“Documents are signed. Something fascinating about my face. Wiltam?” Asher’s voice mapped back to its usual arctic temperatures.
Witam practically jumped out of his bespoke suit, “Right No, absolutely not, str. Nothing at all. Til just…” He snatched up the papers, nearly dropping them in his hate “I have these processed straightaway”
Sierra headed to the watch boutique next door, planning in buy Asher a welcome gift for when she arrived in London.||
Her father had shown her recent photos of Asher
Cool and digued, with sharp features and striking eyes–just as she remembered.]]
