Chapter 242

Chapter 242
Elsa

The distinctive purr of a high-performance engine caught my attention. A sleek black Aston Martin appeared around the corner, sunlight glinting off its polished surface. The car pulled to a smooth stop at the curb, and my breath caught in my throat. My heart hammered so hard I was sure everyone within a ten-foot radius could hear it.

Drake stepped out, and I almost didn't recognize him. Instead of his typical black suit, he wore a crisp white custom-tailored ensemble that made his tanned skin and dark features stand in stark contrast. It was the outfit I'd once casually mentioned looked good on him, years ago. My knees actually went weak. Goddamn it, I was such a cliché.

He spotted me immediately, his eyes locking onto mine with such intensity that everything else seemed to fade away. His stride was purposeful, powerful—every inch the Alpha he was born to be. Yet there was something different in his expression, a vulnerability I'd rarely seen.

My mind flashed back to high school—passing him in hallways, stealing glances, never dreaming he would notice someone like me. And that letter, hidden among the others, proof that he had seen me all along. My fingers tingled with the memory of holding that photograph, that secret piece of him I never knew existed.

Before I could second-guess myself, my feet were moving. I ran toward him, not caring who saw, my heart in my throat. The surprise on his face lasted only a second before his arms opened to receive me. I crashed into his chest with enough force to make him take a half-step back, inhaling his familiar scent—sandalwood and something uniquely Drake, primal and comforting at the same time.

"Drake," I whispered against the expensive fabric of his jacket, my voice cracking with emotion. "Let's try again. Please?" My fingers clutched at his back, probably wrinkling the perfect suit, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

He took a deep breath, his chest expanding against my cheek. One word, spoken with such certainty it sent shivers down my spine: "Yes."

His lips pressed against my forehead, lingering there as if sealing a promise. We stood like that for what felt like forever, his arms wrapped protectively around me, my fingers clutching at his jacket. People passing by smiled at us—the picture-perfect couple embracing in the sunshine.

If only they knew the complexity beneath the surface.

Drake's hand moved to the small of my back, guiding me toward a more private spot beneath a flowering tree. From his pocket, he produced a small black velvet box, his movements almost hesitant—so unlike his usual confidence.

"What's that?" I asked, my voice suddenly hoarse, heart pounding so hard I felt dizzy.

"Something I've wanted to give you for a long time." He opened the box to reveal a stunning silver ring with a moonstone that seemed to capture light from within, reflecting blues and silvers in its depths.

Before I could process what was happening, he was sliding it onto the ring finger of my left hand. The perfect fit sent a chill up my arm.

"We should make this official," he said, his voice low and authoritative. "Marriage. Soon."

I pulled back, startled, nearly stumbling over my own feet. "What? Holy shit, no! I said let's try again, not get married!" My voice rose higher than intended, causing a couple nearby to glance our way.

I tried to remove the ring, twisting it frantically, but it clung to my finger as if reluctant to leave. "What the—" I twisted harder, my movements becoming desperate. "Drake, what kind of ring is this?"

His lips curved into a half-smile. "We can discuss the details later. For now, let's talk about your job. I want you back at Stone Enterprises."

"That's not happening," I said firmly, still distracted by the stubborn ring, yanking at it with increasing frustration. "I signed a contract with Joseph. The mountain resort project is at a critical stage."

Drake's jaw tightened, a muscle twitching visibly. "Contracts can be broken."

"Not by me," I countered, crossing my arms defensively. "I gave my word."

An uncomfortable silence stretched between us before Drake sighed. "We'll revisit this later. Let's go shopping. Your mother's birthday is coming up, isn't it?"

I nodded, suddenly anxious about being seen in public together. I pulled a cap from my bag and tucked my hair beneath it with jerky, nervous movements.

"Hiding?" Drake asked, amused.

"I don't want my coworkers to see us together," I admitted, eyes darting around nervously. "It would complicate things. Shit would hit the fan at work."

"I want to meet your mother properly," he said as we walked toward the shopping district, his hand possessively claiming mine. "As your future husband."

My protest died on my lips as I watched people instinctively move out of our path, some with wide eyes of recognition. Drake's Alpha presence was magnetic, parting the crowd like a hot knife through butter. I felt simultaneously proud and terrified to be by his side.

At the luxury boutique, I selected a delicate protective amulet necklace for my mother, one that might help with her symptoms. My fingers kept brushing against the ring, still in disbelief that it was there. While the saleswoman wrapped the necklace, I asked casually, trying to keep my voice steady, "This ring seems stuck. Any suggestions for removing it?"

She glanced down and gasped. "That's—that's an Eternal Heart ring! They're incredibly rare." She lowered her voice. "It's worth about two hundred million dollars."

I nearly choked, coughing violently. "Two hundred fucking million?" I hissed, immediately regretting my language when I saw her shocked expression.

"Yes," she continued, clearly impressed. "They're specially designed with a unique mechanism. Once placed on the finger, they adjust to the wearer's body heat and... well, they're quite difficult to remove without special tools."

My eyes found Drake across the store, examining watches with casual interest as if he hadn't just trapped me with a fortune on my finger. My blood boiled, a mix of rage and something else I couldn't quite name.

When we left the store, I confronted him, stepping directly in his path. "You knew this ring couldn't be removed easily, didn't you?" My finger jabbed at his chest.

"Yes," he admitted without a hint of remorse. "It was a deliberate choice."

"Drake—" I began, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

"You'll be my wife eventually anyway," he said softly, his fingers brushing my cheek, making my skin tingle traitorously. "Why fight the inevitable?"

I should have been furious. I should have demanded he find a way to remove it immediately. Instead, I found myself studying the way the sunlight played across the surface of the stone, my anger deflating like a punctured balloon. Drake had changed in recent weeks—showing me glimpses of vulnerability, publicly hinting at my future role as "Mrs. Stone," and now this grand gesture.

I looked up at him, this powerful Alpha who could have anyone, and for the first time, I allowed myself to believe that maybe—just maybe—he had chosen me not out of convenience, but out of something deeper. My eyes stung with unexpected tears that I blinked away quickly.

The ring caught the light again, sending prisms dancing across my skin. For once, I felt truly valued, not just useful. Damn it all, I was actually starting to like the way it looked on my finger.