The Tycoon Proposed At My Wedding

Ana Spencer felt like she was drifting through life like a ghost, not even sure how she’d managed to find her way back to the Ryan estate.

As she stepped into the garden, she spotted Jalen Ryan on his knees, with his mother, Ruth, hovering close by. The second Ruth laid eyes on Ana, she stormed toward her, the sharp click-clack of her heels slamming against the pavement—and then bam, a stinging slap landed right across Ana’s face.

“You’re nothing but bad luck. Always bringing trouble on my son.”

Ana cupped her burning cheek, completely blindsided by the attack.

“Mrs. Ryan, I—”

“Quiet! Who said you could address me? How dare you show your face here again? Stay out all night and waltz right back in, flaunting those clothes like you’re announcing to the world you’ve been off doing God knows what with some lowlife!”

Ruth’s anger flared as her gaze latched onto Ana’s designer outfit. If it weren’t for this girl, her son wouldn’t be knee-deep in this mess. In Ruth’s book, Ana was nothing but trouble wrapped in pulse and skin.

Ana forced a bitter smile. She knew this whole situation was Jalen’s doing, yet somehow she was the one getting roasted for it.

“Mrs. Ryan, maybe get your facts straight before pointing fingers. You know damn well who’s really at fault here.”

“Oh, you’ve found your voice now, have you? Feeling all wounded? You’ve been living under our roof for years, clinging to my son without an ounce of shame. Jalen doesn’t want you, and whatever mess is going on, that’s on you.”

Having lost her father and depending on the Ryans for everything, Ana knew she had zero ground to stand on.

“What’s all this noise about?” Edward Ryan, Jalen’s father, strode closer with a stern face, shooting a cold look at Ruth. “Are you still putting on a spectacle?”

“Edward, just look at this! Am I wrong? Sure, you once had a soft spot for this girl, but now she’s damaged goods. A woman like that has no business marrying our Jalen. Elodie is a way better match—”

“Do you want to go kneel right out there next to your son?” Edward shot his wife a look so pointed it shut her up instantly.

Edward took Ana’s arm gently and led her inside. As she passed Jalen, she caught the raw hostility burning in his eyes, and her heart dropped into her stomach. It was crystal clear—whatever she and Jalen had was dead and gone.

In the study, Edward poured her a cup of coffee. “Ana, I know what happened. This is partly on me. Just calm down; I’ll make sure Jalen apologizes to you.”

Ana smiled wistfully as she set the cup aside. “Mr. Ryan, there’s no need. Some things can’t be forced. I’ve come to terms with it. Maybe…”

“Ana, I can bend on just about anything, but not this wedding. I made a promise to your father that I’d look after you. This whole disaster is Jalen’s doing. Tell me what it’ll take to make it right. He’ll stay on his knees until you’re satisfied.”

“Mr. Ryan, why are you pushing this? You’ve done more than enough for me. I can handle myself.”

“No! I have to keep my word to your father. Everything else is on the table. If Elodie’s presence bothers you, she can be sent abroad—whatever it takes for you to feel safe here.”

“Mr. Ryan, doing that’ll just make Jalen hate me even more. Can’t you see? He doesn’t care about me. I’ve tried everything.”

“Feelings can grow. He’ll come around. No matter what, this wedding is happening.”

Edward wouldn’t budge. Ana stared at him, her brows knitting hard, then stood. “Mr. Ryan, I’ve decided to move out.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes. Forced love never works. I wish you’d just let this go. My dad wanted me to be happy.”

“Jalen will treat you right; I’ll see to it.”

“Can you watch him every second, Mr. Ryan? You can guard a person, but not their heart.” As she peered out the window at that stubborn figure still down below, her chest felt heavier than ever.

“Let’s just end this, Mr. Ryan. I’m exhausted. I’ve made up my mind—it’s done.”

Edward saw the steel in her eyes and knew his son’s actions had carved wounds too deep. He stepped closer, his voice pleading. “Ana, give him one last chance. The invitations have already gone out, everything’s set—we can’t afford a scandal like this. I swear to you, he’ll do right by you. Do I have to get down on my knees?”

Edward started to kneel, desperate to sway her.

She rushed to stop him. “Mr. Ryan, you’re putting me in an impossible spot.”

“Please, just take a few days to think. I’ll be right here, waiting for you to change your mind. We’re not calling off the wedding.”

No matter what Ana said, Edward refused to let her leave the Ryan household.

He truly loved her like his own flesh and blood, but she couldn’t force herself to stay where she wasn’t wanted. Edward’s stubbornness only made it harder on her.

Soon, a heavy downpour started pounding outside. Watching from the window, Ana saw Jalen still kneeling in the rain, just as bull-headed as ever. The sight only froze her heart over more.

It felt like he genuinely despised her. Forcing them together was a dead end.

Jalen stayed on his knees a full day, finally collapsing unconscious in the storm. The house erupted into chaos as Edward and Ana looked on while he was carried inside, Ruth ramming past Ana with a glare that could kill.

“If anything happens to Jalen, I’ll never forgive you.”

Ana stayed stone-faced, just watching. The guy she’d poured seven years of love into was now someone she was ready to walk away from.

No point in slicing each other open any further.

Back in her room, Ana threw a few clothes into a bag and, under the cover of night, slipped out of the Ryan house without a soul noticing.

“Sir, Miss Spencer left this,” a servant handed Edward a note the next morning.

After reading it, Edward snapped at his wife, “Look at the damn mess you and Jalen have made. Find her! Whatever it takes, bring her back.”

Ana figured leaving the Ryan house would be the final chapter. She planned to slide back into her ordinary life, shut that door for good. But not even two days later, Edward Ryan showed up at her tiny apartment himself, begging her to come back.

“Ana, I don’t break promises made to your father. Please, come home. Jalen’s come around—he’s agreed to the marriage. Do it for me. Give him one last chance, yeah?”