Sorry, Don. This Time I Won't Wait for You
Three days ago, Julian Sinclair promised me to my face that he would propose to me tonight, at the family dinner.
So when the ballroom doors swung open, every eye in the room turned to me, all of them already knowing why.
Someone raised a glass, smiling like they already knew the secret.
"Congratulations in advance, Donna."
I stood there in the crowd, my fingertips trembling a little, waiting for Julian to come to me.
But once he was inside, he walked right past me, straight up to Chloe Ross.
And then, in front of everyone, he pinned the underboss's silver badge to her chest.
"You did good work on the East Harbor cleanup."
The room went still for a beat, and then the applause broke out.
Chloe looked up at him, her eyes red, as if she'd finally been handed the place that was meant to be hers.
I stood frozen, feeling my smile crack apart on my face, piece by piece.
Only then did Julian seem to notice something, and he turned back to me.
"Don't overthink it."
"Tonight belongs to Chloe. Spoiling her moment with a proposal wouldn't be right."
"At the next family dinner, I'll hand you the black ring in front of everyone."
I looked at him and let out a soft laugh.
Julian didn't know.
There wasn't going to be a next time.
My engagement banquet with the head of the Vaughn family was set for next week.