Annie F Downs Engaged Novels & Stories

He reaches out a hand, staring at me with those intoxicating dark shards of his. "Go Audrey, we'll go check on Anaise" Greer says as if reading my mind. I nod, taking careful steps forward I place my hand into Darius's and he intertwines our fingers, leading me to his side where I stand proudly. "My beautiful mate and I have an announcement" In that moment it felt like everything had slowed and it was only my rapid beating heart that could be heard. The entire room was quiet, the silence was deafening. "We are engaged to be married in a few weeks" he announces proudly, raising my hand to display the fat diamond ring that adorned my fingers. His voice broke the silence, like a glass cup shatt

"Are you deaf? Didn't our family teach you any manners? Erica's being sincere. Why do you have to be so petty that you can't even answer her?" My fiancé, Anthony Scott, stepped in front of me—not to defend me, but to shield Erica. He glanced down at the screen. "What are you planning? Are you going on a trip?" I quickly picked up the phone and locked it. "It's a company project." The three of them stood there like a perfect picture, like a scene straight out of a magazine. And me? I was the joke. Around me, murmurs swirled like smoke. "She still thinks she's the bride? Please. This whole party was clearly planned for Ms. Jones by the Scott brothers."

I heard the soft ping of the elevator and turned just as the doors opened. Daphne stepped out, elegant as always, in a baby-blue blouse and tailored jeans, her wavy brown hair pulled into a half-up style. She looked every bit the youngest Wilson, sweet-faced, sharp-eyed, and not to be underestimated. “Daph,” I said. She raised a brow, walked in, and dropped her bag on the armchair. “So... you’re engaged.” Straight to the point. No beating around the bush. Good day to you too. I sighed and shoved my hands in my pockets. “Apparently.”

Ana, being curious and suddenly tense, stepped closer, and that was when she saw him, Fred Lancaster. Dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, he stood in the middle of a media circle, his arm wrapped tightly around a tall, elegant woman with striking cheekbones and a diamond ring the size of Ana’s thumb. "This is Natasha Doglas" Fred announced proudly, his voice echoing through the lobby, "my fiancée." The cameras flashed again. Ana’s breath caught in her throat. Her nails dug into her palms. The feeling of shame gave her a ghostbum, she wanted the ground to open for her to slip in.

Ayanna didn't dare to think about marrying him. Although being his mistress was humiliating, she was content with it. She loved him, and he loved her back. On top of that, they had an adorable daughter together! She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal Daphne’s existence now. But Anderson said, "I’m quite busy in the company lately. So, I might not be able to spend time with you this week! Let's spend Christmas Eve together. I’m going to give you a surprise."

But I could sense the tension in her shoulders. I placed a hand on her waist, grounding her. She stiffened slightly but didn’t walk away. “Thank you all for coming,” I began, my voice cutting through the noise. “Today, I have an important announcement to make.” I paused waiting for an effect, letting the silence stretch just long enough to create the exact tension I needed. Then, I turned slightly toward Scarlett. “Scarlett Delacroix and I are engaged.” The room erupted. The reporters shouted over one another, the cameras were already flashing wildly. The headlines were already being written. Adrian Voss Engaged to Betrayed Delacroix Heiress—Is It A Power Move or True Love?

But now, suddenly, he was cleaning house? “I thought she was untouchable,” I said under my breath. “Apparently not. But wait—it gets better.” She pulled out her phone like it held nuclear codes. “Rena from PR just texted me. He’s engaged. Damon Prince. To Bella Rosio. Heiress. Model. Basically a designer perfume ad who speaks Italian in her sleep.” The words hit harder than I expected. Engaged. Of course he was. A man like Damon Prince doesn’t walk alone—he curates. And whoever she was, she’d be everything I wasn’t. The kind of woman who fit in next to him, who looked like she belonged. A woman born in the same world.

That was done, and Zane Anthony no longer existed. When I got next to Cathleen, she smiled. I smiled at her as I placed the ring on her finger.It wasn’t until I looked up and looked at the back. She was standing there, fuck. I figured I was over her, but seeing her there and the look in her eyes made me question if she was only a passing thing or if I really felt something for her. She walked out of the room, but I didn't move. Her friend from the club walked. “Now I would like to announce the engagement of my son Kian Arreas and Cathleen Colton,” my mother said, and her friend looked at me with wide eyes.

Jenna teased as she walked in one Monday morning with her usual triple-shot espresso and a stack of gossip. “Size doesn’t matter,” I said sagely. “Said no real estate mogul ever.” I rolled my eyes. “To what do I owe the visit? Or is this just a flex-your-new-promotion thing?” “I come bearing chaos,” she said, wiggling her phone. “Tabloid nonsense. Listen to this headline: ‘Carter’s Queen: Ava Davis Reportedly Engaged in Secret Prenup Talks with Billionaire Boss.’” I blinked. “Wait. Engaged?”

What makes it even sweeter is that he reciprocates my hunger for him, if not more. Our lives are never simple, nothing in my life is easy, and I don’t expect it to be. Despite that, now I have Ace to share my life with and I couldn’t ask for more. “How do we do this?” He asked, his lips still millimeters away from mine, swollen and flushed. “Don’t we need witnesses and someone to wed us?” I smiled genuinely, “Alexa got certified yesterday-“ “No fucking way,” Ace’s laughter made me laugh as well.