Chapter 1

Lucille's POV

The beautiful ambiance of the reserved section for our anniversary dinner was a sight to behold. Not like I expected anything else. For nine years, Ben has always put in a lot to ensure our anniversary was perfect.

He always said it was one of his ways to show how much love he had for me. Today wasn't just our anniversary, but my birthday as well. Every year, I looked forward to it.

Sitting across from him at the table made me feel like a child again. His focus was always on me, his hands over mine. Many said after a couple of years, the honeymoon phase would wash off, but every day since our wedding has been the honeymoon phase.

“Can we get the bill, please?” Ben said to our waiter who offered him a small smile.

Ben turned to me with that handsome smile of his as he rubbed the back of my palm with his thumb. His phone rang on the table, bringing both our attention to it.

He turned over his phone and his smile died, staring at it. “Is there a problem?” I asked.

He sighed, pulling away as he silenced the call. “Work. You don't have to worry. My focus is only on you tonight.”

His words warmed my heart. However, the call came in once again. I saw a vein pop up at the side of his head. “Maybe you should take it. It might be an emergency,” I told him.

He looked reluctant, but I assured him, rubbing his palm on the table. “Don't worry. I'm fine over here,” I said.

His gaze moved from his phone, still vibrating on the table, to my smiling face. He nodded, grabbed the phone, and stood up. “I'll be back. Here's my card,” he said, handing me his card before leaving.

The waiter returned with the bill. “Thank you,” I said, handing over the card.

I rubbed my wedding ring as it itched. I was tempted to take it off, but refused to. This was the very thing I cherished more than my law firm. It symbolizes our love and vows.

I tried to endure it but it was too much. With no other choice, I pulled it out, heaving a sigh of relief as I placed the ring down at the side.

“I'm sorry, ma'am, but the card declined,” the waiter said politely, handing me the card.

I stared at the card. This was the card I gave to Ben. It was for our joint account. It had over twenty million the last I checked. Why then would it decline for just a million dollar bill?

I took out my debit card and handed it over, but the waiter returned with the same information. “Are you sure there's nothing wrong with the machine?” I asked calmly.

“I assure you, ma'am, our machine works perfectly,” the waiter responded.

I sighed, taking out my credit card. “Use this then,” I said.

With a single swipe, it was done. I relaxed, but I couldn't understand why none of our debit cards worked. “I'm so sorry, my love. It was an emergency, but I got it sorted,” Ben said, taking a seat.

He looked disheveled, but I didn't think much about it. “Ben, I tried using our debit cards, but they all didn't go through. Why?” I said.

Ben smiled nervously. “I should have told you. I borrowed a little money for an important investment,” he said.

“And you needed forty-five million?” I asked, shocked.

“Baby,” he took my hand, rubbing it. “It's just forty-five million. You make more than that a month. Plus, you said you'll help me with my investments.”

“I didn't think you'll need that much in a go,” I said.

“C'mon baby, are you going to be stingy with money now?”

“I'm just-”

“It's your birthday. It's our anniversary. Don't ruin our date. We'll talk about it later, okay?”

I stared at Ben for a moment. This was the first time he had done something like this. He must have his reasons. I should not have acted out. I nodded, apologetic. “I'm sorry. I was just a little worried. You didn't tell me about it,” I said.

He pulled away. “Yes, I wanted to surprise you with the profits. You're not mad, right?”

I shook my head, giving him a smile. “I can't be,”

“Did you get the bill?” he asked, and I nodded.

His eyes landed on my bare fingers and then on the ring on the side. I saw the panic in his eyes as he sat up. “Why did you take off your ring?” he asked.

“I felt itchy. My finger is so red already,” I raised my finger, showing him the reddish spot around my ring finger.

He held it, then reached for the ring with a napkin. “It must be dirty,” he said, wiping down the ring with both hands holding onto the ring.

“I actually thought of that, but it has kept on itching for days. I think it even got worse with each clean. Maybe, I should take it to a jeweler,” I said.

“No need. I'll handle it, but you'll have to put it on for now,” he said, taking my hand to slide it in.

But just a little contact and my finger felt like it was on fire. I pulled my hand away, shaking my head. “Maybe later,” I smiled, softly, rubbing my finger.

It almost felt like it would take my finger in seconds. It made me wonder if it would have become worse if I didn't take it off earlier.

Ben stood up and stared at me without a word. The look in his eyes made my heart skip a beat. In over ten years of being with him, he has never looked at me that way.

“Be-Ben?” I stammered as he walked away.

I shot up in my seat, panicked. “Benja...”

I paused when he stopped in the middle of the room and spun around. “Benjamin?” I said, taking a step forward.

He dropped on one knee, his lips crooked.