When Love Breaks by Jack

The anticipation was thick in the air, almost palpable.

The day of the gala had dawned surprisingly bright and clear, a stark contrast to the dreary, rain-soaked days that had preceded it. Vista Town’s elite and a smattering of celebrities usually glimpsed only on screen graced the event, making the hotel’s entrance a parade of luxury cars and eager reporters.

Catching sight of the cameras, I couldn’t help but express my amazement, “My mom really went all out with this.”

Beside me, Gregory nonchalantly agreed, “Yeah, the scale of this thing is kind of stressing me out.”

I thought he shared my sentiment until he added, “Makes me think I’ll have to go even bigger for our wedding.”

I was speechless.

I sneaked in through the back door into the green room.

Bella’s eyes lit up when she saw me. “My daughter looks stunning.”

Despite my excitement, nerves tingled through me.

Feeling the sweat in my palms, she guided me to sit down on a couch. “Take a breather. Ivy will come fetch you when it’s your turn.”

I nodded.

Before leaving, Bella turned to Gregory, saying, “Try to calm her down a bit, will you? She’s still pregnant, and even at three months, we can’t have her getting too stressed.” “Of course, Bella.”

Gregory settled next to me after Bella left.

He asked, “Want me to say anything in particular?”

“I don’t even know…”

“Okay.”

Suddenly, he knelt in front of me, “I’ve been trying to comfort you all morning with no luck. It’s hard to control physiological responses.”

“But, I might have a slightly unconventional solution.”

and too preoccupied to question his logic, I went along with

“What’s the plan?”

could propose

…

guests seated themselves in the banquet hall and the reporters found their spots, the flash of cameras was blinding when

all heard the rumors. When I initially denied any

like

how Summer deceived her, preventing her from

She chose a subdued gown for the occasion, willingly playing the supporting role to her daughter. Her heartfelt delivery moved

among the crowd of journalists, a masked woman’s eyes

…

Gregory had stepped out to

“What’s

eyes. “It’s nothing. He just brought up proposing

“Proposing? He did?!”

“Not exactly.”

my breath, “He always mentions it

seem the type to back

“You mean so much to him, so proposing has

company with

to

good at analyzing others’ relationships. When it

too late I had touched a sore

Christine’s expression dimmed

visit. I didn’t tell you because after last time, I didn’t

been to the

was injured. I was

hint of scorn

with his et art

Must be his

I could sense her

I’ve been

was playing games,