Chapter 308

A puzzled look crossed Hannah's face, unsure what Vincent was getting at.

Once Vincent finished wiping his mouth, Hannah quickly gathered herself and spoke in her usual cool tone."Is that everything? Am I free to go now?"

Vincent gave no reply. What he intended to do was so startling, so wildly out of place, that Hannah could only stare in disbelief.

He lifted his right hand and snapped his fingers, the sharp sound echoing in the room.

A hidden door quietly swung open in one corner.

A server appeared, dressed in crisp black, guiding a cart draped in deep velvet with deliberate, silent movements.

No dishes or glasses decorated the top-just a cascade of yellow roses, each one perfectly open and glowing with color. At the very heart of the blooms sat a single, breathtaking diamond ring.

Hannah went rigid, unable to move. Yellow roses? And a diamond ring? Was this actually a proposal? A line creased her forehead as she struggled to make sense of what was happening.

Without a word, the server slipped away as Vincent pushed back his chair and stood. He moved around the length of the dining table, every step steady and unhurried.

Stopping right beside her, Vincent lifted the ring from its bed of flowers. He lowered himself to one knee,taking his time.

Raising his eyes to meet hers, Vincent held the ring with fingers that trembled ever so slightly, damp with nervousness. He swallowed hard before speaking, his voice rough and low. "Marry me again, Hannah."

To Hannah, the moment was overwhelming.Everything about this dinner, the elaborate arrangement and the surprise, felt so out of his character.

Hannah stayed perfectly still. She remained seated, and after a long pause, she began to extend her right hand.

A sudden jolt of hope gripped Vincent's chest, making his heart beat faster than ever. She actually reached out! Was she really going to say yes?

Barely able to keep his hands steady, Vincent moved closer, ready to slide the ring onto her finger.

But Hannah did not allow him to finish. Instead, her fingers gently pinched the ring and plucked it from his grasp.

The excitement drained from Vincent's face in an instant.

Holding the band between her fingers, she made no move to wear it, nor did she reject it outright. Turning her head, she lifted the ring into the light of the chandelier and studied it carefully.

Her fingers rolled the ring back and forth, her gaze focused and intense-until something unreadable flickered across her face. A faint, ironic smile touched her lips."So... you could not even be bothered to get a new ring,could you?"

Vincent tensed, caught off guard.

She gave him a cold look as she rotated the band. "This looks just like the old one. Same shape, same stone...You really thought I would not notice?"

His throat tightened as he explained, "I had this made a long time ago. If you'd rather have something else,we can choose a different one together. Whatever you want.1′S−′′

Hannah interrupted him with a harsh, bitter laugh. She dangled the ring in front of his eyes,pointing straight at the inscription on the side. She asked, her voice sharp and cold, "Seriously? You want to give me a ring you picked out for someone else-and you think I am supposed to be happy about that? This is what you want to use for our remarriage?"

Vincent straightened, a furrow of frustration creasing his forehead. "That ring was never for anyone else.I always meant for you to have it." She tilted her head, skepticism written all over her face. "You honestly think I am going to fall for that?" Her gaze turned sharp, sarcasm flashing in her eyes. "That is the very same ring Brinley had once showed off on her social media. Same stone, same setting. You want me to believe it is all just a fluke?"

Vincent kept his voice steady, though his jaw was tight. "This ring has nothing to do with Brinley. I picked it out ages ago. The design was made for you."

Before she could say another word, he lunged forward and grabbed the ring from her hand.

Hannah could hardly react before his fingers wrapped around her left hand and, without hesitation, he slid the ring onto her wedding finger.

Cold metal pressed against her skin, and as she instinctively tried to pull away, his hold only grew firmer."It fits, doesn't it?" His voice was low, almost a whisper. "I had it made for you."

The band sat there, a perfect fit. Not too loose, not too tight. As if it had always belonged on her hand.

For a moment, Hannah froze. Uncertainty flickered through her expression. Had she really misunderstood him? So what if she had? Even if she had misjudged the story behind the ring, that did not mean she owed him a thing. Was she supposed to accept his proposal just because she made a mistake?

Her eyes fell to the band, gleaming on her finger-and, with careful intent, she slid it off. A quick flick of her wrist sent the ring tumbling across the floor. It clattered and spun before finally settling.

"No," she said, her voice calm and certain.

To erase any doubt, she added, every word clear as glass, "I'm not marrying you again."