chapter 3

Ethan's POV

"Eva," I began, taking a deep breath, "will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I asked my heart in my throat.

I was certain she would say yes, but I wasn't prepared for the look on her face. There was no smile, no joy. Instead, her expression was indecipherable.

I could hear the surrounding crowd, phones at the ready, capturing this moment for all eternity. I remained on one knee, waiting for an answer.

The silence stretched on, and I could feel my pulse quicken.

Was this a mistake? Was I about to be rejected in front of everyone? My heart was pounding, my palms were clammy, and I had to resist the urge to stand up and flee. I waited, hoping, praying, that she would give me the answer I longed to hear.

The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel my anxiety rising with each passing second. How much longer would I have to wait? Suddenly, she spoke, her voice cutting through the stillness like a knife.

"Yes," she responded, "I would be honored to be your wife."

A smile played on her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. There was something else there, a shadow, a hint of something I couldn't place.

But at that moment, I was so overcome with joy that I didn't dwell on it. I slipped the ring onto her finger, and she turned to face me, leaning into my embrace. I held her close, the rest of the world fading away as I savored this moment of triumph. I was overwhelmed with joy.

The sound of enthusiastic snaps, hearty laughter, and exuberant cheers emanated from the boisterous crowd, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere that permeated the air.

The room was alive with sound as if every atom was vibrating with excitement.

I could feel the happiness radiating from every person in the room, and it filled me with a sense of blissful contentment. It was a moment I would never forget, frozen in time.

I'd known Ava since high school, and she'd always been a special part of my life. Now, we were getting married, and I couldn't imagine a more perfect future.

My heart felt full to bursting with joy and excitement, and I knew that this was the beginning of a wonderful future together. I had dreamed of this moment for so long, and now it was finally happening.

**********************

"I'm sorry, Ethan. I'm not sure I'm ready to marry you," Ava announced to me as I drove her home. Confused and hurt, I asked her to explain.

"What do you mean? But you said yes to marrying me an hour ago. Why the sudden change?" I questioned, hoping for a logical explanation.

Ava sighed and looked away.

"I just wanted to save you from the embarrassment. Sorry, I don't think I love you enough to marry," her voice barely above a whisper.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My heart was breaking as I sat there, staring at Ava, trying to make sense of what she was saying. It was like my world had been turned upside down, and I couldn't find my footing.

The ride home was silent. There was an awkward tension in the air, and I couldn't find the words to break it. I felt like I was alone in the world, even though Ava was right there next to me. The weight of the news hung heavy in the air, and I struggled to process it all.

*******************

I sat in the sitting room of the family house, surrounded by relatives who were all listening intently to the lawyer as he read my dad's will. I found it hard to focus on the reading, my mind wandering to other things.

I didn't care about the money or property. I'd made my fortune and needed nothing from my dad's properties. I just wanted to get this over with so I could get on with my life. I shifted in my seat, trying to be patient, but my mind was already elsewhere.

The lawyer mentioning my name snapped me back to reality from my wandering thoughts.

"As per the instructions provided, it is recommended that in the event of a marriage, a single company be awarded to the individual, In the scenario where the individual is unmarried, 'the company is to be granted to his half-brother, Liam, the lawyer said, adjusting his glasses as he spoke.

Even though I had no interest in my father's will, I couldn't sit back and watch as Liam would be given what was rightfully mine. I couldn't understand why the company should go to Liam just because I wasn't married. I was the eldest son, and he wasn't married either. The whole situation seemed unfair and confusing.

"I will be getting married next month." I lied. Everyone in the room looked at me with suspicion and confusion, their eyes boring into me as if they could see right through my lie. I didn't hate Liam or anything he had always been a good brother to me. But I just couldn't stand by and watch as he was given what belonged to me.

**********

I kept thinking about Ava, and I couldn't seem to get her out of my mind. I tried to focus on other things, but every time I saw something that reminded me of her, I was pulled right back into those thoughts.

I wondered if I would ever be able to love anyone else as much as I loved Ava, and I wasn't sure if I could move on from her. It felt like a weight was hanging over me, and I didn't know how to let it go.

My mom's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I hadn't even realized that I was daydreaming. "Ethan?" her tone was gentle but firm. "Did you hear me?" I felt myself snap back to the present moment, and I turned to face her.

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"You didn't tell me you proposed already!" her face breaking into a smile.

"Proposed?"

"You mentioned your wedding is in a week, remember?" and when did you propose to Ava, a frown on her face.

She didn't even ask who I proposed to - she was so certain it was Ava.

"I proposed to Ava, but she said no," I said it with as much firmness as I could muster, but deep down, saying those words filled me with hurt.

The room was filled with an uncomfortable silence, punctuated only by the sound of my breathing.

"What?!" my mom exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. "But you said you were getting married next week. What happened?"

I hung my head in shame, feeling as though I had let everyone down. "I lied," I admitted. "I couldn't just watch my inheritance be given to Liam. I don't even have anyone to marry, and Ava made it clear that she doesn't love me enough to marry me."

My mom's expression softened as she reached across the table to take my hand. "You did the right thing. We'll figure something out. You don't have to go through this alone."