Rejected Proposal from Ex

That day was quite unpleasant, with my classmates taking the opportunity to criticize me, calling me a "gold-digger," "greedy," and "manipulative," which tarnished my reputation. I felt completely devalued.

For the next week, I didn’t reach out to Kellan at all. Eventually, it was Jonah who acted as the mediator, tricking both of us into meeting. When I saw Kellan, my first instinct was to leave. But over the week, he seemed to have composed himself, and he blocked my path with a smile. Whether I wanted to or not, he pulled me into an embrace in front of all his friends.

“Don’t be angry anymore. I know I was wrong.” I tried to pull away, but then a cool necklace was draped around my neck the next second.

“A belated Valentine's Day gift,” he said softly, “I made it myself. It pairs with the star necklace you gave me.” His gentle voice and the exquisite gift began to soften my heart. When my anger subsided enough, I was willing to talk more.

I pulled up news articles and Nyra's social media posts to confront him. "Didn’t you say you two were just business partners? Do business partners need such close contact?"

Kellan, holding me from behind, looked at the phone. "It's a big misunderstanding! She said one of her pearl earrings seemed bigger, and she asked me to check so she wouldn’t look foolish in front of reporters. I didn’t even touch her! Babe, you know I’m nearsighted; I just leaned in to take a quick look.”

A slight smile broke on my face, but I pressed on, “Then about the social media post, you lied about a last-minute meeting and went out to dinner with her. How do you explain that?”

Kellan turned me to face him, cradled my face, and placed a sincere kiss on my forehead. "Sweetheart, I swear, the client changed the meeting time unexpectedly. Nyra insisted she hadn’t eaten all day and dragged me to dinner.”

I swatted his hand away, though I couldn’t suppress a smile. Just as I was about to issue a warning, Nyra burst through the door, her eyes red.

“Jonah told me you two argued because of me, so I rushed here, Alicia. Even though Kellan and I are engaged, we’re just friends,” she said earnestly. “If it really bothers you, I can ask my father to talk to Mr. Knight and call off the engagement. I’ll even leave the country so I won’t be in the way.”

Perhaps because it was pouring outside, she was drenched. After saying that, she let a few tears fall and turned to leave. I clearly saw a flash of reluctance in Kellan’s eyes. He let go of me and quickly caught up with Nyra, wiping the rain from her face right in front of me, unabashedly.

His friends, seeing me still standing there, looked displeased and began to whisper disapprovingly. Their words were full of criticism, accusing me of being a bully. Nyra looked at me with timid eyes.

At that moment, I really felt like I should be the one to leave. That night, I barely touched my spiced honey cake and excused myself, claiming I wasn’t feeling well. I thought Kellan would stay behind to care for the delicate Nyra, but instead, he ran into the rain to catch up with me.

He pulled me into a nearby café, ordered a coffee to place in my hands, and then dashed into the rain again to get a towel to wrap around me.

“Alicia, please don’t be mad. Nyra’s family is very strict. If I really told her to go home and call off the engagement, her father would punish her severely. I only see her as a sister, which is why I’m especially considerate. Don’t overthink it; you’re the only one in my heart and mind.”

Seeing me shiver, he sat beside me, holding me tightly and rubbing my hands to warm me up. Although I wrestled with my inner turmoil, his attentive care eventually convinced me to let go of my fears and trust him.

But ultimately, he betrayed that trust.

After that day, Nyra shamelessly clung to Kellan. They talked about business ventures and jewelry exhibitions, working so seamlessly together they seemed like the perfect couple. Not just the alumni, even I believed they were an item.

Nyra also approached me with her newfound superior attitude, scoffing, “Alicia Fisher, if Kellan can see me as a sister now, he can surely see me as a lover in the future. Let’s wait and see.”

I was left speechless, watching her walk away with a victorious smile.