Chapter 44

Chapter 44:

From the delicate curve of the setting to the custom clasp detail, I’d bet my sketchbook it was designed from scratch.

And unless Ashton had been carrying it around for fun, it meant he’d pulled this together in the last few hours.

For me.

My chest tightened, as though my lungs had forgotten how to function.

Then he leaned in closer, and suddenly, the side of my ear went warm.

I felt something—light, soft, like lips—but it was gone so fast, I wasn’t sure it had even happened.

He reached forward and gently touched the necklace now hanging around my neck.

“That brooch didn’t suit you,” he said. “This fits better. Do you like it p>

I managed to find my voice, just barely.

“Yeah… I like it p>

I hadn’t even seen what it looked like on me, but I didn’t need a mirror to know it was stunning.

It was the kind of piece that made people stop mid-sentence.

Ashton gave a little satisfied smile, then his eyes flicked to the ring box still sitting on my lap.

“So I gave you a gift,” he said. “Aren’t you meant to give me one too p>

I blinked.

I had no idea gift-exchanging was part of the program.

“But I didn’t prepare anything. Can I get you something in a few days p>

“But you have one ready,” he said, tapping the ring box with a finger. “Give me this p>

“What?” I sat up straight.

C0ntinue r3@ding at

“No, I—” That ring was from my grandmother.

She’d left it to me.

I’d planned to keep it, maybe redesign it one day.

Definitely not give it away.

“Let’s see what it is,” he said.

I opened the box.

The gold band sat quietly inside—old but elegant.

Not pure gold—it had silvery floral etchings around the band that shimmered if you caught them at the right angle. Ashton’s gaze dipped.

“This one’s nice p>

I shrugged.

“It’s an old style. Not worth much. Probably not your thing p>

“But I think it looks good p>

His tone was easy and casual, like he hadn’t just put me on the spot.

He didn’t push again.

Which somehow made it worse.

Now, if I didn’t give it to him, I’d look petty.

I hesitated. Overthought. Stared at his annoyingly handsome face while he sat there pretending to be totally chill.

When the silence stretched too long, he said, “If the ring’s too valuable and you’d rather get something else for me, I understand. It’s fine p>

I turned to look at him.

Too valuable?

He must be kidding, and he knew it.

The necklace he gave me was worth a hundred of this ring.

His face was calm, same as always, but there was this… quiet sort of disappointment in his eyes. Goddammit.

I shoved the box toward him.

“Fine. But don’t regret it p>

“I won’t.” He took the ring, waited, then looked at me expectantly.

When I made no move to put the ring on for him, he slid it onto his ring finger.

It was a little snug, but still looked good on him—because, of course, it did.

I bit down on my lip.

“Might be too small. I can get a new one p>

Ashton held up his hand and turned it, checking it out like he’d just scored something from a private auction.

“Fits fine p>

“Right p>

The engine kicked on.

I told him to drop me at Nyx Collective.

On the way, I said, “You don’t have to keep calling me Miss Vance, by the way. Especially not in front of people. If we’re doing this fake marriage thing, we might as well commit to the bit p>

Ashton glanced at me, the corner of his mouth twitching.

“What should I call you instead? Mrs. Laurent p>

I rolled my eyes.

“Just call me by my name p>

He nodded.

“Mirabelle? Or… Mira p>

I felt that.

Like—actual physical reaction,

Full-body static, tingly as hell.

Just one word and my brain went straight to the gutter—like, zero detours. I could totally picture him saying my name like that in bed, slow and low, all heat and hands and messed-up sheets.

I clamped my legs together on reflex and stared hard out the car window, praying he hadn’t seen my face go up in flames.

“Yeah… Mira’s… Mira’s fine p>

We were about halfway there when he asked,

“Still not doing the wedding p>

“Wedding?” I blinked.

“Yeah. Still a no p>

This whole thing was a contract with a one-year expiration date.

A wedding reception would’ve turned it into front-page fodder for weeks.

He went quiet for a second, then said,

“Alright. Whatever you want p>

The mention of the wedding reminded me of why he’d agreed to go along.

I turned to him.

“When are we visiting your grandfather p>

“What p>

“You said he wanted to see you get married before he… I’d have thought he’d want to meet me p>

“That… Right, he would love to meet you. I’ll talk to his, uh, doctors and see about arranging a visit p>

“Is he staying at a hospital then p>

“A sanatorium. His condition doesn’t permit him to move about much p>

“I should bring something. What kind of presents will he like p>

A smile entered his voice.

“Your presence alone will suffice to make his day. That, and the wedding certificate p>

“Got it p>

I couldn’t tear my eyes off the rearview mirror.

The pendant necklace looked like something I’d have designed in a fever dream—if I had fifty years of experience, a royal jeweler for a mentor, and spent my childhood playing dress-up with the Crown Jewels.

The car slowed as we neared Nyx Collective.

“Give me a sec.” I took out the marriage certificate and snapped a couple of photos.

Ashton glanced over.

I gave a sheepish grin.

“Promised Yvaine I’d text her as soon as we got it done.

Forgot earlier p>

He just hummed.

Once the car stopped, I jumped out.

As I walked away, I caught a glimpse of Ashton still sitting there, holding his own certificate like he was reading between the lines.