AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My eyes narrowed in surprise. “What?”
“He said that you’re a grown woman and don’t need his blessing.”
No patriarchal misogyny? No sexist bullshit? No twisted sense of ownership?
“But he hopes you say yes.”
“That’s the last thing I expected him to say.”
“Me too.” He finished his champagne then left the empty glass with a passing waiter. “Ready to get out of here?”
I was ready the moment I got here. “Sure.”
We left the building across the street from the gorgeous church, the same one where we’d gotten married. Instead of calling the driver to pick us up, Victor took my hand, and we crossed the busy road to the entrance of the church.
“What are we doing?”
“I want to show you something.” He pushed the door open, and despite the fact that it was after hours, it wasn’t locked.
We entered the beautiful church made of medieval stone, surrounded by sculptures that had survived hundreds of years. When we walked down the aisle, I saw the sea of hundreds of candles, the white rose petals that were sprinkled everywhere.
Then he got down on one knee.
The last thing I expected.
He opened the box with the ring—the same ring he’d given to me a decade ago. “Love always deserves a second chance. Will you marry me—again?”
“Victor…” I didn’t know what to say. We agreed the engagement would be a sham, but he made it feel as real as the first time he asked. “I said I would consider giving you a chance when I was ready, but this—”
He slipped the ring onto my finger without waiting for an answer and got to his feet. “And if you do, you’ll know that I’m ready whenever you are.”
A knock sounded on the door.
I was alone in my apartment, just finished lunch, and now I was painting my toenails on the couch. It wasn’t Victor, because he always texted me before he stopped by. Another option popped into my head, but we hadn’t spoken in weeks, and I knew it wasn’t him.
I opened the door—and came face-to-face withhim.
My father.
It caught me by surprise, and I couldn’t keep a straight face as I looked into the eyes of my nemesis. I blurted the first thing that came to mind. “What—what are you doing here?”
“Can I come in?”
“Uh…” I hadn’t expected company, let alone him. “Sure.”
My father walked inside, scanned my tiny apartment with indifference, then helped himself to a chair at my dining table.
He probably thought I lived in utter ruin compared to him.
I took a seat across from him without offering water or wine. I was still shaken by his unexpected visit.
His hands came together on the table, and he gave me a faint smile.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him smile. “So…what are you doing here?” I repeated.
“Victor told me the news.” He glanced down to my left hand where my diamond ring was visible.
I’d just gone out to get lunch and had put it on before I left. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be wearing it. I didn’t wear a fake engagement ring for fun.
