Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The Blackwood name carried weight Marcus’s engagement, even on short notice, was hound to be spectacular. His family’s influence ensured everything would be perfect.
My parents, who’d long given up trying to talk me out of marrying Blake, were overjoyed at this sudden change.
After Blake had canceled two engagement ceremonies for Emma, they could barely hide their relief. But because I’d been so stubborn, they’d kept quiet. Now, hearing about my engagement to Marcus, their joy mixed with disbelief.
Mom pulled me aside, her voice gentle but curious. “How did this happen? You used to say Marcus was the most annoying boy in school.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Mom, I was just a kid then. He used to tease me constantly. But people grow up. Can we not talk about the past?”
The older generation was thrilled. That night, Marcus’s mother opened her personal vault, eager to deck me in family jewels, fretting that none were quite special enough.
My engagement day to Marcus coincided with Emma’s solo concert.
Her performance technically perfect, but completely overshadowed by my engagement celebration – a grand
affair that drew every notable name in Boston.
Meanwhile, Blake had reserved the largest private dining room at the Ritz to celebrate Emma’s concert. He invited their entire social circle, but hardly anyone showed.
His frustration mounted as he surveyed the empty room. “Why isn’t anyone here? Why won’t they even answer
their calls?”
One friend finally spoke up. “Well… Claire and Marcus’s engagement is today. Everyone who got an invitation is probably there. They won’t come here.”
Blake’s face turned ashen. He grabbed his friend’s collar. “What did you say? Who is Claire engaged to?”
“C–Claire… it’s all over social media. They’re live streaming the whole thing. Wait- you really didn’t know?”
Someone turned on their phone. The livestream showed the climax of our ceremony. Marcus opened a velvet box, his voice warm and steady. “Thank you for choosing me. I promise to love and protect you for the rest of our lives.”
As he slipped the ring onto my finger, I was still in a daze when he leaned in for a kiss.
Blake hurled his glass against the wall. “Impossible! She would never leave me for someone else!”
His friend’s girlfriend scoffed. She’d always seen through him. “Why wouldn’t she? You stood her up three times for Emma. Even the most patient heart has its limits.”
Blake’s eyes reddened as he shouted, “No! I only postponed it by a week! I never said we were over!”
Chapter 6
The girl rolled her eyes. “Oh, grow up, Blake. You chose Emma over her every single time. If I were Claire, I’d have left ages ago. Besides, Marcus is everything you’re not – richer, more handsome, and actually loyal to the woman he
loves.”
Blake stormed out. Emma chased after him, calling. “Blake, wait! Where are you going?”
He burst into our engagement celebration just as Marcus and I were greeting guests. Without warning, he grabbed my hand. “Claire, come back with me. End this engagement now!”
Before I could speak, Marcus stepped between us. “This is my engagement to Claire. You’ve lost the right to make
demands.”
Blake’s parents rushed forward to restrain him. “Robert, have you lost your mind? If you want to throw a tantrum, do it somewhere else. This is the Blackwood–Bennett engagement!”
Emma stepped in, her voice dripping with fake concern. “Please don’t misunderstand. Blake always planned to marry Claire. He only postponed because of unavoidable circumstances. How could she agree to marry another man without saying anything? Claire, have you even considered Blake’s feelings? After all these years together, how could you be so cruel?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Playing innocent now, Emma? Should we talk about why Blake canceled our engagements? Or are you going to pretend you don’t know?”
“Let’s review, shall we?” My voice cut through the silence.
“The first time, you claimed you were ‘desperately ill‘ in London and “needed him. He abandoned our engagement ceremony and our guests to fly across the ocean for you.”
“The second time, on the morning of our engagement, you suddenly had to go on a ‘soul–searching journey‘ because you were “heartbroken‘ about Blake getting engaged. He chased after you without a second thought.”
“And the third time? You deliberately scheduled your concert on our engagement day. Everyone knew what message you were sending.” I stepped closer to her. “Now you’re asking me why?”
“Stop this act. If you don’t love him, why keep him on a leash? Why play the victim while using him like your personal puppy?”
