Her Return, His Regret by Natie

"Ryan, thank you for doing this with me," Ivy remarked as Ryan pushed her wheelchair into a gemstone boutique. "I thought you were being forced to marry me but seeing you accompany me here gives me hope.'

"Can you do your business fast, I have things to do," Ryan replied, his jaw tight.

He wanted to be anywhere but there... shopping for rare stones that would be used for their engagement jewelry with Ivy made him feel empty.

Why was he even doing this? Was it worth it?

Was this really the solution?

Did he want to marry Ivy and live in a loveless marriage again?

Would he be able to forget about Ivy's real face? To be honest, when she stole Lora's work and accused Lora of plagiarism, Ivy lost her image in Ryan's eyes.

She might have gotten hurt while saving him, but was marrying her really the best way to repay her for her legs?

"Ryan, what do you think of this rare pink stone? I think it would look good on my engagement ring," Ivy's voice brought Ryan back to the present.

He lazily glanced at the stone glittering under soft lighting and nodded. "It's ok."

Ivy bit her lower up, stopping herself from throwing a tantrum. She could tell that Ryan was only there physically, his mind, soul and heart were somewhere else.

He showed no interest in their engagement ceremony. It was like he wasn't a part of it.

Forcing a smile, she said, "I'll pick this one and I'll choose a blue one for you. I want our engagement rings to be unique. I'll design them myself."

good designs that were market-worthy, she could still create something that she would wear for her engagement. She wanted to surprise Ryan and possibly make him forget

but her smile faltered when she saw

two doing here?' She thought in her mind,

found him looking at Lora and Jason too. It seemed he

the arm of her wheelchair tightly. 'I'll never let you reunite with

"Oh, look, Ryan! It's Lora and Jason! Let's go

to see you here. I didn't expect to see you and your boyfriend shopping for rare stones like Ryan and I. Are you trying to get rare stones to make couple rings too?" Lora furrowed her eyebrows.

them, Ivy didn't wait for Lora's response. She grabbed Ryan's hand and uttered, "Ryan and I had finally set a date for the engagement ceremony.

friends. I expect you to come and support me

ties with Ryan and didn't want anything to do with him. As she was about to refuse Ivy's invitation,

attend as a couple,"

tightened and his stomach churned from

spark of jealousy in

an arm around Lora's waist before pecking her cheek and saying, "I'm sorry I accepted

way, did you two

smiled and looked at Lora before replying, "No... I'm here to choose a rare stone for my piece of male jewelry that Miss L designed specifically for me." Ryan clenched

was serious about Jason seeing that

Ryan and saw his angry face,

she remarked, "That's so sweet of you, Lora. You must love Jason so much. I'm sure you two will get engaged soon, am I right?" Jason nodded and replied, "Of

block of ice as Ryan glared at

invitation to your

schemes. She didn't want to continue conversing with them, so she said, "Excuse me, I need

"I'll come with you-"