6

Lily's POV**

My chest felt warm.

And oddly, a little jealous.

His mother sounded so genuinely happy. So excited. Like she'd already accepted me, claimed me. I could practically hear her smiling through the phone.

He was lucky to have a mother like that.

But she would be my mother figure soon too.

I glanced at Diana through the rearview mirror. She'd clearly connected all the dots. Her eyes softened, the skepticism easing just a little. She gave me a small, reassuring smile.

I smiled back.

Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be as terrifying as I thought.

I texted Diana the entire way, telling her everything — from me saying yes to the sudden engagement announcement.

We reached the mall in about half an hour.

It was his uncle's mall.

Big. Grand. Shiny and polished in the way that made you feel slightly underdressed just walking through the entrance.

He didn't even park the car himself. We just stepped out at the entrance and a guard appeared out of nowhere to take the keys and drive it away.

Nepotism at its finest.

Diana and I followed him inside like two toddlers trailing their very tall, very grumpy, very purposeful mother through a supermarket.

Our first stop was Cartier.

Rings.

I already knew what I wanted. Nothing loud. Nothing flashy. Something simple. Something I could wear every day without it announcing itself to the entire room. I typed a lot. I worked a lot. Anything bulky would just get in the way.

The staff rushed to us immediately.

He acknowledged the greeting with a brief nod.

*"Show us his and her engagement rings,"* he said calmly. *"Ask the lady for her preference."*

We were guided to a seating area — plush chairs and a glass table between us. Trays followed soon after.

*"Who's the bride here?"* the staff member asked, smiling warmly.

*"Uh… me,"* I said.

*"Congratulations, ma'am. What kind of ring are you looking for?"*

*"Something simple,"* I said after a moment. *"Something I can wear every day. I type a lot, so nothing that rubs the skin too much."*

*"Of course. I'll bring our new collection."* She turned to him. *"And you, sir?"*

I glanced at Ethan.

He was staring straight ahead, unreadable.

*"A simple band is enough."*

She nodded and disappeared. Another staff member came by with coffee and small pastries.

Ethan studied the options for exactly twenty seconds before picking one. Efficient. Final.

Diana and I, on the other hand, took our time.

We compared. We debated. We eliminated. We circled back. She slipped rings onto my finger like this was a once-in-a-lifetime event — because, well, it was.

Ethan didn't rush us. He didn't complain either. He just sat there, neutral. Patient in his own detached way.

After half an hour, I found it.

Simple. Elegant. A thin diamond band that caught the light without demanding attention.

I was happy with my choice.

*"Do you need any other jewelry?"* he asked, glancing at me.

*"Uh… no."*

He raised an eyebrow.

*"Are you sure? You're not wearing anything fake tonight. I'm telling you that now."*

I didn't know what to say to that.

*"Let's see the dress first,"* I said carefully. *"Then we can decide about the jewelry."*

*"Okay."*

He gestured to the staff member.

*"Pack both rings. I'll sign the paperwork."*

She nodded and led us to the main counter. The showroom manager himself stepped in, documents already in hand.

Ethan skimmed everything, signed without hesitation, and passed his card across the counter like it was nothing. The payment went through. The manager handed the card back with a polite smile.

Curiosity got the better of me.

*"How much was it?"* I asked.

*"You don't need to know,"* he replied flatly.

*"I wanted to pay for your ring,"* I said, suddenly uncertain. *"Isn't that how it's done? The bride buys the groom's ring?"*

I felt slightly ridiculous saying it out loud. I'd never actually been part of traditions or rituals. I'd grown up figuring things out as I went, alone, with nobody to show me how any of this worked.

He looked at me then, mildly amused.

*"Is that so?"* he said. *"My ring costs more than you want to know. You can write me a check whenever you feel like it."*

My brain short-circuited.

Diana choked beside me.

I'd officially played myself.

*"Okay,"* I mumbled, barely audible. *"I will."*

I prayed he didn't hear the way my voice cracked.

---

**Ethan's POV**

Shopping for women's clothing was a headache.

A full-blown one.

She tried dress after dress. Some were too light. Some were too heavy. Some were "almost right" but not quite. All she wanted was a decent pink dress and somehow that was the most complicated request known to retail.

Diana and Lily were completely in their own world — whispering, debating, rejecting. I could already feel the fatigue settling in.

I stepped away and walked around the boutique.

I wasn't enthusiastic. I wasn't even interested. But then I saw it.

A dress on a mannequin. Soft pink. Subtle detail work. Balanced. Clean.

I don't know why, but I knew.

I glanced back.

Lily was standing in front of the mirror, frowning slightly. Unsure. Overthinking.

*"Lily,"* I called. *"Try this one."*

She turned, clearly surprised. She didn't expect me to participate.

*"Hurry up."*

She looked at the dress. Her eyes widened just a fraction.

The staff followed my gaze and nodded immediately.

*"We have this in store, sir. Come, ma'am, I'll help you."*

Lily disappeared into the changing area with Diana and the staff.

Fifteen minutes later, they came out.

I looked up.

She looked beautiful.

*"You look beautiful,"* I said. *"Get this one if you like it."*

That surprised her again. She really wasn't used to compliments from me. Especially ones that had nothing to do with work.

I wasn't lying. So I didn't see the issue.

She nodded after a moment. No argument. No overthinking.

*"Okay."*

Good.

I paid for the dress. Measurements were taken. Delivery was arranged by 2 p.m.

*"I'm going to look at suits,"* I said as we stepped out of the store. *"You both go check what jewelry works with the dress."*

I handed Lily my card.

Then I looked at Diana.

*"Make sure she uses my card only. Otherwise someone's getting fired. I don't need to specify who."*

Diana swallowed and nodded instantly.

Satisfied, I walked away.

At least men's shopping made sense.

---

**Author's POV**

By noon, they were done.

Shopping bags in hand, decisions finalized, there was nothing left to do. They had lunch at one of the mall's restaurants and left by one.

The guard brought the car around. The three of them got in, carefully placing the bags in the backseat.

Ethan didn't start driving immediately.

*"Diana,"* he said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. *"You're invited to our engagement. You have to come. You're the only one from the bride's side."*

He continued without pause.

*"I'll send a driver to pick you up at six. Engagement starts at seven-thirty."*

Diana nodded, still slightly stunned.

*"Lily,"* he added, *"you're coming with me to my place. Your outfit will be delivered there. Hair and makeup will be handled."*

Neither of the girls argued.

Ethan dropped Diana at her apartment and then turned the car toward the Cole mansion.

Lily sat quietly in the passenger seat, staring out the window. Processing. Everything felt unreal.

Yesterday, she'd been proposed to.

Tonight, she would be engaged.

Life had a strange way of not waiting for anyone to catch up.

---

**Ethan's POV**

*"Listen."*

*"Yes sir?"*

*"From now on, whenever we're not at work, stop calling me sir."*

She hesitated. *"Right… but you are older than me. Calling you by your name feels a bit disrespectful, doesn't it?"*

I scoffed.

*"Disrespectful, please. I'm not your grandfather."*

*"I'll try."*

*"No. You will."* I glanced at her. *"Say it."*

She swallowed.

*"Ethan."*

*"There you go,"* I said. *"See? Not difficult."*

I drove in silence for a moment before continuing.

*"And listen — everyone at home will be warm with you. Except my aunt."* My jaw tightened slightly. *"She's already annoyed. She wanted me to marry her niece. Not because she cares about me — she wants a foot in the business my father built. That's not happening. So if she says anything to you—"*

She cut me off.

*"I'm not going to tolerate disrespect from anyone in your family."* Her voice was calm but firm. *"I'm not going to let anyone walk over me. If you expect me to be submissive and take her nonsense, I won't."*

I turned to look at her.

*"Let me finish, will you?"* I said. *"I was going to say — if she says anything, clap back. Just don't go nuclear."*

She blinked.

*"Oh. Okay."*

There was a hint of embarrassment in her voice, but I was satisfied.

Good.

The last thing I wanted was my aunt turning her into a punching bag. Convenience or not, I was bringing home a wife, not a doormat.

The rest of the drive passed in silence.

---

We reached the mansion and the guards opened the gates immediately. I parked and stepped out. Lily followed.

I glanced around the garden.

Good. The stage was almost ready. Lights were being tested. The mansion itself was halfway dressed in décor. Somewhere at the back, the faint smell of food being prepared drifted through the air.

Decent progress for six hours.

I knew my brother could pull it off.

Ryan was sitting outside, supervising with the self-importance of someone who had been waiting to be put in charge of something his entire life.

*"His name is Ryan, right?"* Lily asked softly.

*"Yes."*

As if the idiot could hear his name from a mile away, he looked up and spotted us.

The next second, he was jogging toward us with a wide, cheeky grin.

He reached Lily and immediately bent down in an exaggerated bow.

*"Hello, future sister-in-law."*

She practically jumped back.

*"Don't do that. You're older than me."*

*"And?"* he grinned. *"You're marrying my brother. That makes you my responsibility now. Someone has to treat you properly in this family."*

She froze, then smiled awkwardly, clearly out of things to say.

Ryan laughed.

*"Forget this grumpy one,"* he said, jerking his thumb at me. *"Come on. Mom, Dad, and Sierra are all waiting for you."*

And just like that, he grabbed her hand and dragged her inside.

I watched them disappear through the doors.

Wow. Even I didn't get a welcome like that in my own house.

---

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