Chapter 3

"It's been a while since we last met."

A faint smile tugged at Ethan's lips, one that didn't reach his eyes. His voice was deep.

Ariana paused, caught off guard. "We… have we met before?"

Of course she knew who he was. In Horghen City, who didn't recognize the Skye family's foremost heir—assets in the trillions, unrivaled ability and looks.

More importantly, rumors painted him as cold and aloof, uninterested in women. Whether in business or in life, it was always others who circled him, never the other way around.

But whether he knew her—that was another matter.

His gaze lingered on her face, making her uneasy.

Those deep, striking eyes seemed to see straight through her. Her heart skipped, and she instinctively avoided his gaze.

Why was he staring like that…? Did she have something on her face?

He didn't answer. Instead, he slowly slid a dark red velvet box across the table toward her.

"What's this?"

The texture of the box alone suggested something extraordinary. A ring? A gift?

She lifted the lid. Inside, nestled against dark velvet, lay a diamond of breathtaking scale—a true pigeon's egg with a rare, luminous blue-green tint and a clarity that spoke of flawless origins. All those years, Caleb had never once offered her a ring. Now, this man, with one quiet gesture, had laid before her a fortune made of light.

Ariana froze.

Ethan rested his chin on one hand, his posture lazy, almost casual. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before his brows drew together slightly.

"You don't like it?"

She snapped back to herself and looked up, meeting his steady stare at last.

"Thank you, Ethan. How did you know… that I like this color?"

The faint blue-green vein along the band was her favorite shade—rare on the market. As a designer, she knew how difficult it was to blend a tone so precise.

He lowered his eyes. Long lashes cast a light shadow as his fingers idly stirred his coffee.

"Picked it at random."

Was it really just a coincidence? Ariana wondered. But there was no reason for him to lie.

As she studied him in return, he smoothly changed the subject, turning his gaze aside with a soft scoff.

"Back when our families were closest, I heard you refused the marriage alliance."

She answered at once, "I'm sorry. I was shortsighted back then."

So many years had passed, and he still hadn't chosen someone else?

If she had known things would turn out this way, she would have preferred a marriage of equal standing without love—anything would have been better than staking everything on something as illusory as romance.

She added earnestly, "Once I return to my family, I'll take over the business. I'm confident I can bring mutual benefit to both families. After marriage, I won't interfere in my husband's affairs—as long as they're not made public."

In other words, whatever he did outside, she wouldn't question it.

After what she'd seen of Caleb, she no longer expected fidelity from men. Ordinary men were already unreliable—let alone someone like Ethan, who held countless options in Horghen City's elite circles.

"But why did you agree to this marriage again?" she asked—the question she cared about most.

With his conditions, why marry a woman who had once rejected him?

Surely it couldn't be what she was thinking.

Ethan listened quietly, then saw through her unspoken thoughts. He calmly broke eye contact.

"Your grandfather once saved my life. He also hinted at a marriage alliance. I've reached the age where it's time to settle down. Rest assured, I'll fulfill my responsibilities as a husband."

His tone dipped slightly, displeased by her earlier implication, then softened.

"As for extramarital affairs—you're worrying too much."

Ariana pressed her lips together. When she was young, her grandfather had indeed brought a cool, reserved boy to stay at the Cooper residence for a time. She'd stolen a few glances at him. Whether he'd ever noticed her, she didn't know. Only after he left did she learn he was from the Skye family.

"So I'm just… a suitable choice? Plus my grandfather's favor?"

He looked at her in silence, as if accepting it.

A marriage without love but with benefits—it suited a man like him.

Ariana nodded lightly. She couldn't help recalling that, back when she lived in Horghen City, the media had rumored he had a first love he couldn't have. Now it seemed Ethan, too, had grown indifferent to feelings.

In that sense, they were alike.

One step at a time. For now, what mattered most was earning her parents' forgiveness and returning to her family.

"Next month, I'll have the Horghen City media announce our engagement."

"Next month?" she asked, surprised.

He arched a brow, seemingly amused. "If you want, we can announce it now."

He'd originally planned to give her time to clean up the messes around her. Now that the engagement was set and their interests tied together, they had nothing else to worry about.

She shook her head quickly. "No—next month is perfect."

The atmosphere over dinner was pleasant enough. He appeared distant, but his words were restrained and courteous.

Of course, it was their first meeting. Courtesy was natural. As for whether he'd be easy to get along with later—that was another matter. Men were far too good at changing faces, she thought.

When it was time to leave, Ethan gave his assistant a glance and got into the car first.

Avery understood at once and stepped forward with a slight bow. "Miss Cooper, please allow us to send you home."

"No need. I can go by myself."

He'd come all the way from Horghen City just to meet her—she was already grateful. How could she trouble them further?

Avery opened the car door, his smile unchanged.

"Mr. Skye has never had the habit of letting a female companion return alone. Please understand."

Before the words had fully fallen, the window lowered, revealing a refined profile. Ethan's gaze was calm, unyielding.

"Get in."

Under his watchful eyes, Ariana found herself complying.

The ride was silent.

The quiet was almost eerie.

She gazed at the flowing night outside the window and gently closed her eyes to rest.

Then, out of nowhere, his low voice sounded.

"I don't see off just any woman."

The driver instinctively glanced at the rearview mirror.

Ariana froze and turned to look at him. His long fingers rested lightly on his knee, his profile sharp, eyes fixed on the window.

No expression. Just cool.

Was it her imagination… or did he seem a little—

Proud? Almost sulky?

A beat later, she realized he was explaining Avery's earlier comment.

Without thinking too deeply, one might have assumed he had many female companions.

She hadn't thought much of it herself. Given his status—and the fact that he was about to get married—explaining for the sake of reputation made sense. There was likely no other meaning.

"I understand," she replied softly.

The car fell silent again.

When she got out, Avery said politely, "Take care, Miss Cooper."

Outside the Miller family villa.

Ariana had assumed Caleb was already asleep. Instead, she saw him standing alone on the second-floor balcony.

When he saw her step out of a luxury car with a fancy plate number, he didn't notice the Horghen City registration. His attention was already captured by her slender silhouette.

When her face came into view—radiant beyond compare—a flash of amazement crossed his eyes.

For a moment, he thought he must be mistaken.

This was Ariana, the woman he'd never truly taken the time to appreciate.

"Ari, why are you back so late?" The moment she entered the living room, he hurried downstairs to question her.

Ariana continued removing her heels, her expression cool.

"It's much earlier than usual."

He'd never waited up for her this late—how would he know when she normally came home?

Caleb fell silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on her face. "What client were you meeting? Did you really need to dress like this?"

"A friend. We talked for a bit."

Sensing her indifference, Caleb felt an inexplicable irritation stir in him. That car had been far from ordinary. Since when did she know someone like that in Emerson City?

"A man or a woman?"

"You seem unusually concerned about me today, Caleb." She straightened and met his eyes. "You were never like this before."

A flicker of complexity crossed his face. His tone softened.

"Ari, I was just too busy before—I didn't take enough care of you. I'm only asking now."

They were supposed to have a candlelight dinner tonight.

He didn't understand why, when he came back and didn't see her, he insisted on waiting anyway.