Page 20 of Obsessing Over His Favorite
As the party resumed and guests drifted back into their conversations, Charlotte turned to Emily again with a look of excitement. “I think this is the perfect time to give you my gift,”she said brightly. “Now that Lucas is getting older and time is flying by, you both really need to start thinking about the future, right?”
Emily blinked, confused. Her eyes darted to Lucas, uncertain. Lucas raised an eyebrow at his mother, his expression cautious.
Charlotte reached into her purse and pulled out a velvet box—the color a soft, expensive turquoise. She flicked it open, revealing a large ruby ring set in an intricate gold band. Feminine, regal, old.
“This is our family’s most precious heirloom,” Charlotte said warmly. She reached out and took Emily’s hand, then pulled Lucas’s into hers, placing them together between her palms. “Emily, you can wear this ring now. And soon, you and Lucas should get married. The sooner, the better.”
Emily froze.
Family heirloom? Marriage?
She glanced at Lucas again, her heart hammering in her chest. Her vision blurred as panic swelled inside her. ‘I don’t even remember this man properly—how the hell am I supposed to marry him?’
Charlotte smiled brightly and lifted Emily’s hand again. “Give me your finger, sweetheart. I’ll put it on.”
Panic rose in her throat. Her eyes flickered from Charlotte to Lucas, back and forth like she was searching for an escape.
‘How in the hell do I get out of this?’
Just then, Lucas stepped forward. His voice was low but firm as he snapped the ring box shut.
“Mom, it’s not necessary,” he said firmly. “She’s not ready for that ring right now.”
Emily looked at him, startled.
‘Her behavior has been spiraling ever since Amelia got involved. It needs to stabilize before we talk about anything as serious as marriage,’ Lucas thought, his jaw tightening as he looked down at the ring box.
“You’re right. Exactly what he said, Mrs. Cantrell.” Emily jumped in quickly, yanking her hand back in one swift motion. “I don’t think it’s the right time for this. I really don’t deserve something so important. Please… keep it safe.”
She looked genuinely panicked now.
Charlotte’s face fell in confusion. Emily turned to Lucas and practically jumping in relief. “You’re right. I’m definitely not ready for this. This ring isn’t necessary at all. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
She reached out and grabbed his arm through the sleeve of his suit jacket, her hands clutching his biceps as if she’d just dodged a bullet.
“Thank you so much for agreeing. Seriously, thank you. This is great,” she repeated, her voice rushed but relieved. “Really. I mean it,” she said, her face filled with genuine relief. “This is a huge favor. Thank you.”
Then, just as casually, she let go of him and walked away, lifting the edge of her gown as she made her way through the crowd.
Lucas’s hands caught only empty air as she disappeared into the crowd without a backward glance. He stood there, staring at the space she had just occupied, his pulse thudding in his ears. His jaw tightened.
She had just rejected the Cantrell family’s heirloom ring.
His engagement ring.
And then shethankedhim—like she’d been saved from a nightmare.
‘Is she pretending… or does she actually mean it?’ Lucas thought, his fists clenching.
He watched her walk away like nothing had happened, even grabbing a cake pop on her way past a dessert table, her face finally relaxed,relieved, as if the whole moment had been just an inconvenience to shake off.
The party continued, but Lucas couldn’t take much more. He cut the night short and drove Emily home.
Two hours later, they stepped inside the Cantrell house.
Emily headed straight to the bathroom in the bedroom, while Lucas went into the guest room. He stepped out of the guest bathroom, freshly showered and changed into a plain gray T-shirt and sweatpants. His hair was damp, his expression unreadable.
As he walked into the bedroom, his eyes immediately landed on Emily.
