The Proposal that Changed Everything

Chapter 1 Lucy’s POV The air feels heavy with anticipation as I push open the door to Kelvin’s office. My heart pounds like a drum, each beat echoing in my ears. Valentine’s Day is supposed to be perfect. It’s supposed to be our day. The ring box in my purse feels like a burning coal, and my carefully planned speech loops in my head for the hundredth time. “Kelvin Harper,” I murmur under my breath, adjusting the strap of my shoulder bag. “You have no idea what’s coming.” I imagine his face when I pull out the engagement ring. He’ll probably look shocked at first, maybe even a little embarrassed. Kelvin isn’t exactly the type to embrace public displays of affection, but this is private, just the two of us. Perfectly intimate. I take a deep breath and open the door to his office without knocking. My hand freezes mid-air, and the world tilts sideways. Kelvin is there, but he isn’t alone. His back is pressed against his desk, his hands tangled in the silky black hair of his assistant, Christabel. Her arms are around his neck, her lips locked on his, and they’re so absorbed in each other that they don’t even notice me standing there. The silence in the room roars louder than any sound I’ve ever heard. My heart doesn’t just break—it shatters, the shards lodging deep in my chest. “Kelvin?” My voice cracks like brittle glass. His head jerks up, and he shoves Christabel away like she’s suddenly on fire. “Lucy! This… it’s not what it looks like!” I let out a sharp, bitter laugh, clutching the doorframe to steady myself. “Not what it looks like? Really, Kelvin? Because it looks like you’re playing tonsil hockey with your assistant!” Christabel straightens her blouse, her lips curling into a smirk. She doesn’t even have the decency to look ashamed. “This is a misunderstanding,” Kelvin says, his voice dripping with desperation. “Christabel leaned in—” “Save it!” I snap, my vision blurring with unshed tears. I feel the ring box in my purse like it’s mocking me. “I came here to propose to you, Kelvin! I thought today would be special, but clearly, I’m the world’s biggest fool!” “Lucy, wait—” I don’t wait. I don’t want to hear his excuses or explanations. My feet move on their own, carrying me out of the office, out of the building, and onto the crowded New York City sidewalk. The winter air bites at my cheeks, but it’s nothing compared to the sting in my chest. I pull out the ring box, flipping it open to stare at the sparkling diamond inside. The ring I’d spent months saving for. The ring I thought would symbolize the start of a new chapter in our relationship. With a choked sob, I slam it shut and shove it into my coat pocket. “Unbelievable,” I mutter, weaving through the crowd. My cheeks are flushed, and my hands tremble with anger. How could I be so stupid? My mind spirals, replaying every moment of our relationship. The missed calls, the late nights at the office, the vague excuses. It all makes sense now. He wasn’t too busy—he was too busy with her. I don’t realize I’ve stopped walking until someone bumps into me. “Hey, watch it!” a gruff voice says. I look up, my eyes meeting a pair of striking green ones. The man standing before me is tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a leather jacket. His messy dark hair falls into his eyes, and he looks like he’s just stepped out of a gritty action movie. “Sorry,” I mumble, stepping aside. But then an idea strikes me. It’s impulsive, reckless, and completely unlike me. Maybe it’s the adrenaline or the humiliation still burning in my veins, but before I can stop myself, I pull the ring box out of my pocket and shove it toward the stranger. “Here,” I say, my voice shaking. “Marry me.” His eyebrows shoot up, and he stares at me like I’ve just suggested we rob a bank. “What?” “You heard me,” I say, holding the box out. “I need a fiancé. Right now.” He blinks, then smirks. “You’re joking, right?” “I’m dead serious.” For a moment, he just stares at me, his expression unreadable. Then, to my utter shock, he reaches out and takes the ring box. He opens it, his green eyes glinting with amusement as he studies the diamond. “Fine,” he says, slipping the ring onto his finger. “I do.” My jaw drops. “Wait… what?” “You proposed, didn’t you?” he says with a shrug. “And I said yes. That’s how this works, right?” I gape at him, my brain struggling to process what just happened. This was supposed to be a joke, a ridiculous way to vent my frustration. But now this stranger is standing in front of me, wearing the ring I bought for Kelvin, and acting like this is completely normal. “You’re insane,” I finally say. “Maybe,” he replies, grinning. “But so are you.” Before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the noise of the street. “Lucy?” I turn to see Kelvin standing a few feet away, his face pale and his eyes wide with disbelief. “What the hell is going on?” he asks, his gaze darting between me and the stranger. I square my shoulders, drawing on every ounce of courage I have left. “Kelvin, meet Glenn. My fiancé.” Glenn raises a hand in a casual wave. “Hey, man.” Kelvin’s mouth falls open, and for the first time in years, I feel like I have the upper hand. “Wait, what?” Kelvin sputters. “You heard me,” I say, my voice steady. “Glenn and I are engaged. Isn’t that great news?” Kelvin looks like he’s about to have a stroke. “This is ridiculous. You’re not engaged!” “Why not?” Glenn cuts in, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. His touch is warm, solid, and surprisingly comforting. “She proposed, I said yes. Sounds pretty engaged to me.” “You can’t just—” Kelvin starts, but Glenn interrupts him. “Listen, buddy, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but Lucy’s with me now. So why don’t you back off and let her move on?” Kelvin’s face turns red with anger, but before he can say anything else, Glenn steers me away, his arm still around my shoulders. “Come on,” he murmurs. “Let’s get out of here.” I let him guide me down the street, too stunned to protest. My mind is a whirlwind of emotions—anger, confusion, disbelief, and, strangely enough, relief. When we’re a safe distance away, I finally stop and turn to him. “What the hell was that?” “That,” Glenn says, slipping the ring off his finger and handing it back to me, “was me helping you out.” “Helping me?” I echo, narrowing my eyes. He shrugs. “Looked like you needed a hand putting that guy in his place. And I gotta say, the look on his face was priceless.” I stare at him, my anger fading into reluctant amusement. “You’re insane.” “Maybe,” he says again, grinning. “But you’re welcome.” I shake my head, unable to suppress a small smile. “Thanks, I guess.” “Anytime,” he says, turning to walk away. “Wait,” I call after him. He pauses, looking back at me. “You never told me your name,” I say. “Glenn,” he replies, his green eyes glinting with mischief. “Glenn Carter.”