Chapter 380

Morning light streamed softly through the windows as Hannah stirred awake. Her body throbbed with a deep ache, as if it had been taken apart and pieced back together. Every muscle felt sore, especially around her waist and legs.

She frowned faintly and raised a hand to massage her pounding temples.

Then, she noticed it. A ring-on her left hand. Not the one Vincent had previously proposed with. This was a different ring entirely.

A flawless, pear-shaped diamond, easily over ten carats,glittered on her finger. It was dazzling. Extravagant. Impossible to ignore.

Hannah's eyes widened with shock. Vincent must have slipped it on while she was asleep.

Just then, the door opened. Vincent stepped in, already dressed, every detail of his appearance meticulously in place.

He crossed the room and leaned over her, planting his hands on either side of her, his gaze burning into hers. "Not wanting to sleep a bit longer?"

Snapping out of her daze, Hannah quickly adopted a soft,playful look, just the right touch of coyness in her expression.She lifted her left hand-the one with the ring-and tapped the front of his neatly buttoned suit. "Vincent, you didn't even propose. You just went ahead and put the ring on me?" Her tone carried a trace of measured complaint.

Vincent caught her hand gently but didn't answer right away Vincent caught her hand gently but didn't answer right away Instead,before she could fully process what was happening,he lowered himself to one knee beside the bed

His tall figure bent down, his eyes level with hers. He held her left hand-the one with the glittering diamond-and looked at her steadily. "Hannah Scott,marry me."

For a heartbeat, she froze. She felt as though she had been transported back in time to a more innocent and youthful version of herself, the girl who used to gaze at him with hopeful eyes.

But the memory vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by a sharper, colder clarity. So, he was serious about proposing.Perfect. On the day he threw a formal proposal party,she would run.

Donning a touched expression, she softened her voice into a whisper tinged with discontent. "Who proposes like this? First thing in the morning, in the bedroom? Really?"

She attempted to pull her hand away. But he gripped it tighter.

"| couldn't wait," Vincent said quietly, urgency threading through his voice.

"Well, I can." She finally slipped her hand from his grasp, her tone turning serious. "If you're really going to propose, then l want it done properly. I really worked hard when I proposed to you back then. I spelled your name with drones. I had roses ready."

She straightened her posture and met his gaze. "I poured my heart into it. I don't want you to treat me carelessly. That is unfair."

Then,she reached for the ring and slipped it off her finger,setting it on the nightstand. "This doesn't count," she said firmly. A shadow flickered across Vincent's face. He stayed on one knee, his expression shifting, eyes clouded with conflicting emotions.

Hannah, however, pretended not to notice. She leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady. "Vincent," she muttered, "I hope you know what I desire. When you deliver what I am asking for, I'll say yes."

He stared at her, unable to tell if she was simply stalling or if she truly meant what she said about wanting the proposal to matter.

Silence spread between them like a slow, creeping fog.

Moments later, Vincent rose to his feet. He grabbed Hannah's wrist, picked up the ring from the nightstand, and slid it back onto her finger.

"Wear it," he said in a low voice. It was as if only with that ring on her hand could he believe she belonged to him

He clamped down on her wrist. "The proposal... I'll plan it," he added roughly. "But until then, you need to wear this."

His hold was so firm that it hurt. Hannah caught the fire of possessiveness burning in his eyes and scoffed inwardly.Outwardly, though, her expression softened. Lowering her gaze to hide the calculation in her eyes, she spoke with calm resolve."I can wear it. But without a real proposal, I won't say yes."

Her voice dropped lower. "I won't relive what happened before.Back then, no one knew I was your wife, and people assumed was only your kept woman. I endured it once-l won't go through it again. I want the proposal I deserve. And a proper wedding. Public, grand, and undeniable. I won't settle forless."

Her expression shifted to faint sadness, the perfect touch of pain playing across her features, as though those memories still cut deep.Vincent noticed the change in her face, and something inside his chest twisted. That failed marriage-the scars it had left-still haunted her. She couldn't let it go. He brushed his thumb across the ring now resting on her finger, his voice softening."| understand."

Yet deep down, uncertainty gnawed at him. Did she truly long for the grand proposal? His instincts whispered suspicion.