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.”

question his logic, I

“What’s the plan?”

could propose

…

and the reporters found their spots, the flash of cameras

When I initially denied any relationship

I’d like to

deceived her, preventing her

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

the crowd of journalists, a masked woman’s

…

me, Gregory

teased, “What’s

He just brought

“Proposing? He did?!”

“Not exactly.”

always mentions it in passing, but never

doesn’t seem the type to back

“You mean so much to him, so proposing has become a big

a company with a blueprint

the proposal to be unique,

analyzing others’ relationships. When

realized too late I had touched

Christine’s expression dimmed

which made me feel guilty. “Dailey’s hurt. He probably wanted you to visit. I

been to the

injured. I was there on other business and

of scorn crossed her

I saw him with his et art by his side, feeding

Must be

unaffected, I could sense her

my fault; I’ve been

was playing games, then