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.”

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

“What’s the plan?”

propose to

…

the banquet hall and the reporters found their spots,

heard the rumors. When I initially denied any relationship with Summer

I’d like to

Summer deceived her, preventing her from recognizing

her speech. She chose a subdued gown

of journalists, a masked woman’s eyes gleamed

…

me, Gregory had

teased, “What’s with

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

“Proposing? He did?!”

“Not exactly.”

always mentions it

the type

mean so much to him, so proposing has become a big deal.

a company with

wants the proposal to be

nodded, “You’re good at analyzing others’ relationships. When

realized too late I had touched a

Christine’s expression dimmed

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

already been to

injured. I

hint of scorn crossed

et art by his side,

very cozy. Must be his old

could sense her

fault; I’ve been

playing