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018–THE ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY.

Author: Ashley Wright
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-07 23:24:57

RYAN'S POV

It’s been five days since the kiss in the church. Since I watched my Rose run away from me. And still, I can't stop thinking about the taste of her lips, the fear in her eyes, the way she tactically avoided me afterward. Five days of burying myself in business, trying to ignore the truth—but I noticed the signs. The engagement is still happening.

I adjust the red bow tie around my neck and glance at the drawer where I locked Desmond’s envelope nights ago. "It’s safe there," I mutter under my breath. "I’ll never open it."

I leave my room and move into the hallway. The mansion is luxuriously decorated. Downstairs, the chatters, laughter and clinking of glases overwhelm the piano melody. It's sad really—there won't be an engagement ceremony today.

"Good job." I say, tapping the handyman on his back as he scrambles to finish stepup.

Leaning against the railings, I watch the guests file in below. The hall glows in beautiful colors, the scent of roses from every corner of the ro
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  • In Bed With My Step-uncle    018–THE ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY.

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