Page 199 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

‘Not flashy?’

‘You know, not some massive diamond that’s going to weigh me down all day.’

He frowned. ‘Why not?’

It was so like him to just presume bigger was better that she couldn’t help rolling her eyes. ‘Because I don’t like that kind of thing.’

‘Nice kinds of things?’

‘A simple gold band will be fine.’

He stared at her like she’d lost her mind. ‘No one will believe that’s what I would choose for you.’

‘Then why are you even asking me?’

‘Because it should be something you want.’

‘Then I’ve told you what I want.’

‘Something boring.’

‘No, something simple.’ She lifted her shoulder. ‘Apart from anything, I think it’s in poor taste to wear some huge rock when I’m working in the not-for-profit sector.’

‘You make no sense.’

She laughed. ‘I make perfect sense; you just don’t understand me.’

‘No, you are a contradiction,’ he insisted. ‘You went to expensive schools, a prestigious university. You raise hundreds of millions of dollars each year, from people like me, yet you are so disdainful of wealth. Why?’

‘Because it’s so unevenly distributed,’ she said, shaking her head at how he couldn’t comprehend that. ‘Don’t you think there’s something kind of gross about how much money you have? When there are people out there sleeping in cars?’

‘Yes,’ he surprised her by agreeing instantly. ‘Which is why I donate to your charities and many others.’

‘Well, you do at least have a social conscience,’ she said, ignoring the way her heart did a funny little triple beat. ‘I still don’t want a huge chunk of diamond on my finger.’

He groaned but she knew she’d gotten through to him. ‘Okay. It doesn’t matter, anyway. It’s just for show.’

‘Right. Like a costume.’ It was fake. Something she’d wear, then return at such time that their marriage was no longer useful to either of them and they went their separate ways. ‘Just make-believe,’ she added, wondering why she felt the need for that extra reassurance.

Chapter Six

In the end, the decision was simple. Despite Charlotte’s stipulations, Dante looked at all the rings the exclusive jeweller had to show him. He amused himself by imagining how she’d react if he went against her wishes and chose the most ginormous, perfectly-formed diamond solitaire they had, just to annoy her. It was tempting. Very tempting. Tempting to give her the kind of ring most women would surely love?

But he had no interest in deliberately thwarting her—he seemed to aggravate her enough just by being himself. So he asked to see the plain bands, and having looked over those, and still not been satisfied, he was on the brink of going to a different jeweller, when a new tray of rings were presented.

And it hit him, right in the middle of the solar plexus. The only ring he could possibly choose for her. Granted, it was fussier than she said she wanted, but the second he saw it, he just knew it was perfect for Charlotte.

And for some reason he couldn’t put his finger on immediately, that really mattered to him.

He supposed it was because rings were significant, even when the marriage itself was fake. His mother’s wedding ring was still in his possession. It had been recovered after the crash and his grandmother had kept it safe, all those years, until he met Jamie and was ready to propose.

She’d worn the ring then and had always imagined that their daughter might wear it, too.

Now, that ring was in a safe—cursed, in Dante’s opinion. But he knew it was not an insignificant thing to give a woman an engagement ring, even when the marriage was just for show.

‘That one,’ he said, pointing to the large emerald solitaire, surrounded by a circlet of white diamonds and set in a petite platinum band. ‘It’s perfect.’ It was elegant, petite and sparkling, just like Charlotte, and the colour of the gem was just exactly the same as her eyes. ‘It’s made for her.’

‘Very good, sir. Would you care to see the matching necklace?’