Annie F Downs Engaged Novels & Stories

Except this time, the anchor’s voice cut through her fragile hope. “In corporate news, Atlas Jones’s fiancée—or perhaps ex-fiancée, depending on what story you believe—was spotted at the hospital earlier this week with an unidentified man. Rumors swirl about a potential affair. Witnesses report the man stayed close to her side, even leaving with her later that evening. The photo we obtained seems to confirm this mystery companion…”

The screen showed a few screenshots from her social media. Last year, on Valentine's Day, Jim was photographed in a penthouse suite passionately kissing Anne. He even gifted her a diamond ring worth tens of millions. And at the same time, I had broken ties with my family and was penniless. I lived in a dilapidated rental and barely ate. Even when I had been hospitalized for appendicitis, I had lain alone in that sterile ward. My expression stiffened. It turned out all those days I had struggled through had been a complete joke.

The second I slowed down, every memory we'd made in this house would come flooding back. Connor walked in. "Charlotte." I didn't stop. He set a folder down in front of me. "Equity transfer. Take a look." "My family talked it over. This is what we're offering you. As compensation." I glanced up at him. "It's worth a billion." He winced slightly, like the number physically hurt him to say. "For Sophia. For your mother. I think this should cover it." "And we're going to be husband and wife soon anyway. It makes sense to tie the two families together financially."

My back hurt from scrubbing floors all morning. But Lucy skipped along beside me, happily telling me about her day. She was six years old and beautiful. She was my entire world, and her father didn't even know she existed. When I'd found out I was pregnant seven years ago, I'd been terrified. I almost told my father and Jeffery. Then I saw the post on Facebook. Aiden King was engaged to Elena Vasquez. The announcement was everywhere. There were photos of them at a military ball. Her hand resting was on his chest, showing off a huge diamond ring, while he looked handsome and distant in his dress uniform.

Kieran said, his voice dropping into a dangerous whisper. He slid his thumb across the screen, switching to a mainstream news outlet. A glossy, professionally shot media piece had just been published by the Donovan family’s public relations team. ***A PERFECT UNION BEGINS AS HOCKEY STAR JERIAH HART ANNOUNCES ENGAGEMENT TO BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS TALIA DONOVAN.***

Dom dropped his glass, pushed off the couch and crossed to her, stopping close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "Here's what I'm proposing," Dom said. "The media's already hot, so I say let's give them more chaos." Cassie blinked. "What do you mean?" Dom pulled out his phone, his fingers moving across the screen with practiced ease. "I think we should announce our engagement tonight.” “Tonight?” Cassie's voice came out sharper than she had intended it to. “Actually, right now, while everyone's still talking about what Marcus did." "Dom, it's been two hours—"

Sharp and cold. "Damien the board and your father have decided. The engagement announcement is set for next week. Sophia Lang is perfect for the image. Conservative family. Good public face. It will kill the rumors about you and that secretary boy." My pen froze in my hand. Engagement. Sophia Lang. I knew the name. She was a rich heiress. Beautiful. The kind of woman his world wanted on his arm. Damien’s voice stayed flat. "I told you I would handle the rumors."

TIFFANY The headline appeared less than three hours later, I stared at my phone. “ASHFORD HEIR DAMIAN ASHFORD TO MARRY TIFFANY BENNETT” I read it again, then again. “This can’t be real.” Molly leaned over my shoulder. Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?” I quickly locked my phone. “It’s nothing.” She stared at me. “You’re terrible at lying.” “Molly.” “You’re engaged?” I sighed. “Yes.”

"It won't fall apart. Not until we want it to." He nods slowly. "I'll be in touch tomorrow." I watch him walk back to the car, and only when it's pulled away do I allow myself to breathe fully. Upstairs, Felicity is waiting anxiously. "Well?" "He agreed. We're engaged." "Just like that?" "Just like that." I sink onto the couch. "We start public appearances this week. The foreign investors ' dinner is in three weeks" "And Liam will be there." "Yes." I smile coldly. "Liam will be there, watching Alexander Grayson's fiancée, having no idea he's looking at the woman he destroyed."

Blaire hesitated, her thumb hovering over the link, but curiosity got the better of her. The page loaded, and there it was—a glamorous picture of Damien and Gina, their smiles radiant as they stood in the spotlight at their lavish engagement party. The caption read: "Power couple Damien Smith and Gina Wright are officially engaged. Last night’s event at the Smith mansion was nothing short of spectacular, solidifying their place as the ultimate duo in high society." Blaire stared at the screen, her heart pounding. “No,” she whispered, shaking her head as if denying it could change the reality.