Page 28 of Forever His Favorite
Taylor frowned. “So what’s next?”
Lucas’s eyes burned with determination as he answered, “As long as I make up for all the bad things I did to her… if I win her heart back, she’ll return to me. And we’ll be together again.”
***
‘Satire’
Emily glanced up at the massive, white signboard as she and Sebastian stopped in front of the grand jewelry store inside Max Mall. The ultra-luxury space glittered with pieces she had never seen before.
She entered the store with Sebastian, turning to him with curiosity. “What are we doing here?”
“I owe my wife a ring.” His eyes twinkled as he lifted her hand, entangled in his, and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “We got married, but your hands are still empty. We’re going to fix that today.”
Emily’s lips curved into a smile, a soft nod following.
As they approached the counter, the manager behind the counter immediately straightened, recognizing Sebastian. “Mr. Graves, Mrs. Graves,” he greeted them with a smile.
Immediately, from under the counter he brought out a velvet box and opened it carefully. Inside lay two rings—one delicate, the other bold—crafted in platinum, each set with a red diamond.
“As requested, sir,” the man said with pride. “Perfectly matched for you both. Red diamonds are said to protect and keep the wearer safe.”
Sebastian took the box, lifting one of the rings and showing it to Emily. “Do you like this?”
Her eyes widened as she took the ring, marveling at its beauty. Then her gaze flicked to his hand, settling on the familiar band on his pinky. Her brows drew together.
“This looks almost like the one you always wear. Do you have a thing for rings like these?”
Sebastian’s gaze dropped to the ring on his hand. His voice softened. “When I was nine, I was kidnapped by some goons for money. A little girl saw me on the street near her house. She gave me this ring.” His fingers tapped the ring on his hand. “She told me that her mother gave it to her. That it would always protect me and help me reach home.”
Emily froze. A strange warmth and ache stirred in her chest, a flash of memory surfacing like a whisper from long ago. The words… felt so familiar.
Sebastian took the ring from her fingers and slid it onto her hand. Emily stared at it, her heart racing.
“When I was little,” she murmured, almost dazed, “I think… I said something similar to a boy I met on the street.”
Sebastian went utterly still. Then, with sudden urgency, he gripped her arms and snatched her closer. Raw eagerness flashed in his eyes.
“Do you remember him?”
Emily looked at him, nodding slightly, her brows knitting in faint confusion. “Yeah, I remember… but I don’t remember his face.”
Disappointment shadowed Sebastian’s features, his grip on her loosening as though the memory had slipped just beyond his reach. He inhaled sharply, reining himself back under control. Then he picked up the box again and held it out to her, his gaze softening. “Now, it's your turn to put the ring on me.”
Emily lifted the ring from its velvet bed and slid it onto his finger. She watched as his lips curled into a faint smile, something proud yet tender.
Moments later, with four more jewelry bags dangling from her hands, the two of them stepped out of the mall. His hand found hers again, their fingers naturally locking together as they walked.
“These must be so expensive,” Emily said after a pause, her gaze flicking down to the bags. She slowed her steps, her fingers tightening around his. When he paused and turned toward her, she added in a quiet, almost guilty voice, “I feel bad that you paid so much for these rings.” Her voice dropped lower, the words weighted with something heavier. “You married me just because you were forced to… because of our one-night stand and your family’s rules. These rings aren’t worth it.”
The air seemed to thicken between them. Sebastian stopped immediately, pivoting toward her. His hand rose with quiet certainty, fingers sliding along her jaw until his palm cradled her cheek. He pulled her closer, his thumb brushing against her skin, his eyes burning with a stubborn fire.
“Who said I didn’t do it because I wanted to?” His voice was low, but fierce. “Who can force me to do anything I don’t want to?”
Emily’s breath caught. She stared at him, wide-eyed, her heartbeat drumming in her ears. “But… we didn’t even know each other that well before that night. Then why would you want to marry me?”
Sebastian leaned down until his lips grazed the shell of her ear, his warm breath ghosting across her skin. His voice slipped into a husky whisper, every word laced with restrained hunger.
“Because from the very first night I had you, I wanted more. Not just one… but every night after.”
