Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Unexpected Proposal: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Chapter One: The Discovery The sound of the door shutting behind me was muffled by the racing of my heart. My chest felt constricted, my breathing still uneven from the conversation with Vanessa just a few minutes earlier. We had been talking about my future plans-Valentine's Day, the getaway to the Maldives, the perfect proposal Alex had promised me. The perfect life we were supposed to have. But when I walked through the door of our shared apartment, all of it came crashing down in an instant. The apartment was so quiet it was nearly unnervingly still, normally filled with the hum of life. My heels clicked softly against the hardwood floor as I stepped further inside. It was too quiet-something wasn't right. I expected to hear the faint sound of Alex's voice from the kitchen or see him at the counter with his usual cup of coffee. But as I walked into the living room, my stomach dropped. There, on the couch, was Alex-my boyfriend of three years-wrapped around his assistant, Elena

Chapter Three: The Unexpected Encounter Elizabeth sat on the edge of her bed, the events of the day replaying in her mind. The audacity of her actions—the proposal to a complete stranger—seemed surreal. She had acted on impulse, driven by a mix of desperation and a desire to escape the suffocating grip of her past. Now, as she sat alone in her room, the weight of her decision began to settle in. Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen: an unknown number. Hesitant, she answered. “Hello?” she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Good evening, is this Miss Elizabeth Hastings?” a woman’s voice inquired. “Yes, speaking,” Elizabeth replied, her curiosity piqued. “This is Karin, Mr. Simeon Blackwood’s personal assistant. He would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience,” the voice continued. Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. Simeon Blackwood? The name was unfamiliar, and she couldn’t recall any prior interactions. “I’m sorry, but I don’t belie

Chapter Five: The Past Revealed Early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers tracing the delicate lace of the duvet. The events of the past few days had been a whirlwind, each moment more surreal than the last. I had proposed to Simeon Blackwood, a man I barely knew, in desperation to get away from the haunting memories of Alex. Yet, here I was, trying to sort through the labyrinth of my emotions and the decisions I'd made. I looked at the time—10:00 AM. Simeon had invited me to dinner the previous night, and we had talked a lot. His understanding and support were balm to my wounded soul. He had given me a choice: to confront Alex and get revenge or to move on and heal. I chose the latter, but it wasn't that simple. The tingle of the doorbell pulled me out of my reverie, and I rose to my feet, smoothing my dress as I walked toward the door. I opened it to a bouquet of lilies-smelling sweetly and

CHAPTER 7: THE POWER SHIFT The costly walnut desk in Alex's workplace receives morning sunshine slanting through the drapes. He looks not at all. His fingers hang over his phone, his coffee cannot reach him, and the newspaper opens before him.The firm, brutal headline flashes back at him.ELIZABETH HASTINGS ENGAGED TO BILLIONAIRE SIMEON BLACKWOOD!His chest constricts. His steady, leisurely breathing does nothing to calm the tempest building inside of me.Page after page, the pieces examine every element: their claimed whirlwind romance, the passionate kiss at the gala, the way Elizabeth's hand rested against Simeon's chest as though she belonged there.The front page mostly features a picture. Her fingers tightened inside his jacket as Simeon's lips brushed against hers. The globe thinks this. Hell, even the picture gives it a lifelike quality.Alex's hold gets tighter, the newspaper's edges crumpling under his fingertips."You okay, boss?"Kara's voice oozes with something too nea

CHAPTER 9: ALEX’S BREAKING POINT The low murmur of discussion and the veil of cigarette smoke hardly let the faint brightness of the bar cut through. The air smells of stale bourbon and the bitter tang of sorrow clinging to Alex's skin. Nursing a half-empty glass of whiskey, his tie is unfastened, his sleeves rolled up, and his stance slumped on the high-backed stool.Again sip. The heat doesn't help him to dull the chest agony.His knuckles are white, and he grabs the glass tightly. Beside him, the newspaper is crumpled, its strong headline mocking him. Hastings Elizabeth Started working with Billionaire Simeon Blackwood.His stomach flips.It is a lie. It had to be.But the picture taken under it—the way she lets Simeon hold her, the way she stares at him—tells another tale.He swallows even another spoonful of whiskey while the fire scorches his throat.This is his fault.He went carelessly, stupidly. He let his needs and greed destroy the one decent thing in his life. She left no