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The words echoed in his mind, but all they did was make his blood boil.
She let Luca give her the ringhewanted to give her. And she wore it—like it meant nothing.
His chest ached as he gritted his teeth, the fire burning through his veins unbearable.
He gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath, “Even if he’s just a friend, how could you wear his ring and come to me?”
His chest burned. The longer he stared at the ring, the harder it became for him to think.
Had she really given up and walked away, like what they had didn’t matter at all?
"I can’t even breathe, and you returned my goddamn ring to me?" he whispered, his anger burning with each word.
***
“Come with me. I’ve already arranged the best spot for you,” Luca said softly, placing a gentle hand on Anya’s shoulder as he guided her toward the CEO office.
They were at the Carters Diamonds’ headquarters, a sleek, multi-story tower that screamed power. The fifteenth floor was home to the top executives—where the real decisions happened.
As they neared the main workspace where others were seated, Anya gently shrugged his arm off with a quick whisper.
“Don’t let people know we know each other.”
Luca’s face tightened slightly but he gave a silent nod, respecting her request.
They walked casually past the rows of employees. Luca opened the CEO’s private office door and let her in first.
Behind them, gasps erupted like wildfire.
“Was that Mr. Stanson?” one woman gasped. “Did he just open his office door for her?”
“No way. He’s never that polite to anyone,” another whispered.
“Let alonewalkingsomeone in. He doesn’t open doors, not even for the most important clients.”
“Who is she?”
“Must be someone really important… or maybe…”
Speculations flew as employees gathered in hushed circles, whispering about the mystery girl who had walked beside their notoriously reserved COO.
Inside the office, Luca walked to the center of the room and turned to Anya with a bright smile. “Welcome to your future,” he said, gesturing around the sleek office.
“This is technically my space, but if you want it, it’s yours. You can have any office you want. Soon, you’ll be my partner in this company—my equal.”
He walked toward her slowly, speaking gently. “Just ask for anything, and I’ll give it to you.”
Anya gave a small laugh. “You’re way too generous, aren’t you? You keep spoiling me. I’m afraid I’ll get used to it.”
She met his eyes with a teasing grin. “What if I ask for something you’ll regret?”
“There won’t be a day like that,” Luca said softly. “These are just things. Anything I give you, I can get again. A new office, a new chair, a new title. I can always make more, buy more, build more. But your happiness? If I lose that, I can’t get it back. And I never want to see you sad.”
Anya froze, struck by the softness in his voice. The honesty. The way he said it—not as a charmer, but as a man who meant it.
She smiled at him. “Whoever ends up marrying Luca Stanson is going to be the luckiest woman alive.”
Luca turned away, ears tinged with red.