The Wedding Proposal

Eva's POV

"Manhattan," Luke’s voice echoed in my mind, still laced with the confidence of his lies. Just five minutes ago, he’d told me he was in Manhattan on a business trip.

I turned from the café counter in Palm Beach, coffee burning my tongue. He was seated by the window, holding hands with Lucy Radcliffe, the woman his parents demanded he marry and daughter of billionaire Brandon Radcliffe. It was a betrayal I could taste… bitter as the coffee I nearly choked on. The morning had already been cruel to me, but this? This was the final blow.

I had lost the deal I came for in Palm Beach because my company was deemed too small and new to execute the deal. Now, I had to deal with this also... Luke’s betrayal.

His eyes strayed to me, widening briefly before narrowing with guilt. The unspoken "oh damn" on his face only deepened the snag in my heart.

I wouldn’t confront him. Confronting him was making light of his betrayal. I forced my feet to move, heading for the door. I heard him coming fast after me.

“Wait, Eva,” he called with urgency. “Please wait, Eva.” He grabbed onto my hand, just by the door. He turned me gently to face him.

“And why should I wait, Luke? You lied to me,” I snapped, my voice sharp.

“I didn’t mean to lie,” he said, his voice low and insistent. “You know I’ve never lied to you before. My dad forced me into a date with Lucy this morning, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell you sooner.” His soft hazel eyes searched mine. Eyes that had always made me feel loved and appreciated. Now they made me seethe with rage. “I didn’t want this to happen.” He added.

“Well, it happened,” I said, enunciating each word. “I thought you said you were never going to give in to your parents pressure. That you wouldn’t go on any date with Lucy or even marry her,” I said, remembering all the promises he made to me. Each memory of them was a stab at my heart as they crossed my mind.

His gaze shifted downward with a bit of uncertainty. “The threats were getting too severe. I had to give in, Eva. My parents threatened to disown me if I did not marry Lucy," he said.

I scoffed. The aftertaste of coffee turned sour in my mouth, matching the burn in my heart. He was lying again. That he couldn’t look me straight in the eye as he spoke was proof enough.

“They had always made such threats to disown you all the while we have been together, and you never for once cowered to their threats. Why now?” I challenged his lies. “Let me guess: the choice was between your precious inheritance and our love. I bet you didn’t think twice before booting our love into the trash can”

Luke reached for my hand, but I stepped away. “Don’t say that, Eva,” he pleaded, his voice gentle. “You know I wouldn’t sacrifice our love so cheaply. Their threats were getting severe. It even took me months to succumb,” he said, desperate to convince me.

“Well, you finally did,” I replied coldly. “This is the end for us, Luke. Goodbye. Forever," I said. I spun on my heel for the streets, hurrying down the sidewalk.

Behind me, I heard quick footsteps. Turning, I found myself face-to-face with Lucy Radcliffe.

“I’m Lucy Radcliffe, Luke’s fiancée,” she said, extending her hand with an exaggerated smile. I ignored the gesture. “And you must be Eva Brooks, Luke’s ex.” She said, staring at the file case in my hands to pick my name.

I didn’t bother correcting her assumption, though I’d only just become Luke’s ex a minute ago.

Sliding closer to Luke, Lucy draped his arm around her waist and rested her hand on his chest.

Luke just did nothing. He pretended he had no hand in the deliberate show to spite me. “So you are an event planner, Eva," she said and smiled.

“Yes,” I answered flatly. I was unsure if her tone held genuine interest or veiled insult.

Lucy’s eyes sparkled as she turned to Luke. “She’s an event planner, Luke. Isn’t that just perfect?”

“Yes, it is,” he agreed, his voice dragged with reluctance.

“Why don’t we have her plan our wedding? I am sure she would do a good job," Lucy cried, ecstatic. She looked to Luke for encouragement.

Luke grimaced. “Lucy—”

But she was already focused on me again. “Will you plan our wedding, Eva?” Lucy’s smile widened. “Six months from now, on my birthday.” Her gaze lingered, demanding an answer.

I let my eyes travel from her to Luke, indecisively. The request was unexpected, and I suspected the motive behind it. Still, I was at a crossroads. A wedding like this could save my company. But I would have to stomach Lucy’s ridicule.

Luke begged me with his eyes to refuse the offer, since our collective sanity was at stake. He should have thought about that when he chose to betray me.

I raised my head proudly to Lucy. “Yes, Lucy. I’ll plan your wedding,” I said, determined.