sa's

to work the following day. My finger's ring glistened like a tiny star, s

ntered the office, their excitement brimm

er eyes like diamonds as she exclaimed, "Soon-to-be Mrs. Donald!" Her l

in with cheers and laughter. As I thanked them, I could not

ng and sank into my chair, grinning broadly as ever. I was unable to take my eyes off the ring on my finger, and

a sudde

y by a loud knock. "Enter!" S

nating the space as she entered. I returned the smile, but the

pointed at my heart by the question. Her voice was firm but gentle as she went on. "Remembe

d, raising my

oves me just as much as I do. Do not

Ryan's name made me feel raw. Evelyn sighed, her f

not want you to s

Her words hung like a black cloud in

ted to race. Like a haunting echo, her question kept coming back to me. "Wh

him? What happens if everything we ha

out loud until my best friend Lili

med, her voice pierc

re you he

ied with my worries. With a soft click of her heels on

u alrigh

blinked quickly as I jolted out of my reverie. With a fo

e narrowed her piercing eyes as she absorbed my

at are you keeping from me

y fingers twitching on the edge of m

fine,

lacked convic

She let it go for the time being and focused the conversati

hough the heaviness in my chest persisted. T

d my step sister. My stepmom and sister hated me. Ryan gave me hope, disvirgined me, all because I always run to him whenever my stepmom and sister treat me badly. He was our close neighbor. He took the advantage and claimed he loved me. He betrayed me. I

of my secret weighed me down like a physical burden later that night as I sat by myself in my apartment. I stared at the engagement ring on my finger, its brilliance dimmed by the shadows of my doubts. I dec

nown number. "I am aware of your previous

read the message again, my mind racing. "

love, the CEO. If he finds out, I h

d Rosa? The good name I have for myself will be a

ldn't reason positively. The phone slipped from my grasp and dropped to the flo

d once more. Yet

n's re

ot me upset. Why is he disturbing my life? "So he has my contact all this wh

confusion flooded through me as I sat frozen, the phon

past was as hidden as I had previously assum