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."

she could still create something that she would wear for her engagement. She wanted to surprise Ryan and possibly make him forget about

the thought but her smile faltered when she saw Lora and Jason at the other

those two doing here?' She thought in her mind, her jaw clenching

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

on his face made Ivy clench the arm of her wheelchair tightly. 'I'll

Ryan! It's Lora and Jason! Let's go and say

they noticed her, she smiled and said, "Lora, good 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. What

for the engagement ceremony.

you? After all, our fathers are close friends. I expect you to come and support me and maybe

Ryan and didn't want anything to do with him. As she was about

attend as a couple," Jason

jaw tightened and his stomach churned

spark of jealousy in Ryan's

before pecking her cheek and saying, "I'm sorry I accepted on your behalf, my love but it's not bad for us to

By the way, did you two really come to

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

that she

at Ryan and saw his

sweet of you, Lora. You must love Jason so much. I'm sure you two will get engaged soon, am I

of ice as Ryan glared at Jason like he wanted to punch him

hope we get an invitation to

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

"I'll come with you-"