The Engagement Scandal That Set Me Free

Synopsis

Alexander Sterling rented an entire private island for our engagement party. It was supposed to be the kind of day people would talk about for years. He went down on one knee, slid a one-of-a-kind ten-carat blue diamond onto my finger, and looked up at me with nothing but tenderness. "Julia Evans," he said, "from this moment on, you're the only woman I'll ever call my wife." The crowd burst into applause. But the second he stood up, he slipped the ring right off my finger. Then he turned and carefully put it on Sophie Turner—his childhood sweetheart. "I lost the bet," he said, sounding almost proud of it. "So you get to wear it for a few days. When you get bored, we'll talk." "Guess an engagement ring really does outshine the rest." Sophie lifted her hand, wiggling the ring at me with a smug little smile. "Julia, sorry. I'm just borrowing it for fun. I'll give it back once I'm over it." Alexander pulled her in by the waist and laughed, soft and indulgent, "Relax. Julia won't mind." I froze where I stood. He finally seemed to notice, walked over, and brushed it off like it was nothing. "Come on, it was just a game. You should be used to this by now." He assumed I'd react like I always did—eyes burning, pretending it didn't hurt. But this time, I just looked at him and said, calm and steady, "Alexander, you can give her the ring. But I'm done playing."