A Ring And A Lie
900 Words
Chapter 3: A Ring and a Lie
Sophia sat across from Damian in the back of his sleek black limousine, gripping the contract she had signed just an hour ago.
The weight of her decision pressed down on her chest like a boulder. There was no turning back now.
Damian, on the other hand, was as composed as ever. He scrolled through his phone, his sharp jawline set in its usual impassive expression. If he felt anything about this arrangement, he sure as hell wasn’t showing it.
“So,” she said, clearing her throat, “what’s next?”
He didn’t even look up. “We’re going ring shopping.”
Her stomach flipped. “You can’t just buy one yourself?”
Dark blue eyes flicked to her, unreadable. “My father will scrutinize everything. If we suddenly have a ring that you never chose, he’ll get suspicious.”
Sophia exhaled, rubbing her temples. Of course he would.
This wasn’t just a lie—it had to be the perfect lie.
The car slowed, pulling up in front of Rosewood Jewelers, a luxury store known for catering to the elite. As they stepped out, she immediately felt out of place. The women entering and leaving the store were draped in designer dresses, their hands adorned with diamonds the size of her monthly rent.
Damian walked ahead, his presence commanding without effort. She hurried to match his pace.
As soon as they entered, a well-dressed salesman in a tailored suit approached. “Mr. Hayes, welcome. We’ve prepared a selection based on your assistant’s request.”
Sophia blinked. “Assistant’s request?”
Damian turned to her. “I had Adrian send them your preferences.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I never gave Adrian any preferences.”
“I did.”
Her lips parted in shock. Damian chose for her?
The salesman led them to a private viewing area, where an array of rings sat on display, each more stunning than the last.
Sophia hesitated. “You… picked these?”
Damian’s voice was casual. “You don’t like them?”
She glanced down at the rings. One in particular caught her eye—a delicate yet elegant design with a single sapphire in the center, surrounded by diamonds.
Her breath hitched.
He had chosen this?
A strange warmth curled in her chest, but she quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t real.
She reached out, fingers brushing over the sapphire ring. “This one.”
The salesman beamed. “A beautiful choice. Would you like to try it on?”
Sophia swallowed. This was happening. This was really happening.
She extended her hand, and before she could even react, Damian took her fingers in his, sliding the ring onto her finger himself.
The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through her. She hated how aware she suddenly was of him—the warmth of his hand, the way he held her fingers gently but firmly.
The ring fit perfectly.
She pulled her hand back quickly. “It’s fine.”
Damian nodded. “We’ll take it.”
Just like that, it was done.
As they left the store, Sophia glanced down at her hand, at the dazzling ring now binding her to a lie.
She had officially become Damian Hayes’s fiancée.
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Scene Break: Facing the Family
The ride back to the office was silent, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.
But as soon as they stepped inside, Sophia barely had time to breathe before Damian’s assistant rushed toward them.
“Mr. Hayes,” the man panted, “your father is here.”
Sophia stiffened.
Damian’s jaw clenched. “Where?”
“In your office.”
Sophia shot him a wary glance. “Does he know…?”
“No,” Damian said smoothly, already walking toward his office. “But he will.”
Her heart pounded as she followed him.
Inside, Raymond Hayes stood with his back to them, sipping a glass of whiskey. He turned slowly, his piercing gaze locking onto Damian.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” Raymond said coolly.
Damian didn’t react. “I’ve been busy.”
Raymond’s eyes flickered to Sophia. “And this must be the reason.”
Sophia straightened her posture, swallowing the nerves creeping up her throat.
Raymond’s gaze swept over her like a calculated assessment. He was already judging her.
Damian slid a hand into his pocket, his voice unnervingly casual. “Father, meet my fiancée.”
Silence.
Then Raymond’s gaze sharpened. “Fiancée?”
Sophia forced a smile, lifting her hand to show the ring. “We just got engaged.”
Raymond studied the ring, his lips curling slightly. “I see.”
Damian held his gaze, unreadable. “We’ll be making a formal announcement soon.”
Raymond took a slow sip of his drink. “Interesting choice, Damian. I didn’t take you for the type to settle.”
Sophia’s stomach twisted. Did he already suspect something?
Raymond set his glass down, eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “I suppose I’ll see for myself how real this is.”
Then, without another word, he turned and left.
Sophia let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.
“That went well,” she muttered.
Damian’s expression darkened. “No, it didn’t.”
A bad feeling settled in her gut.
Raymond Hayes wasn’t fooled.
And something told her he wasn’t done testing them.
- Writer
