Chapter 138 Engagement ring
Chapter 138 Engagement ring
Chapter 138: Engagement ring
The soft clack of snooker balls echoed through Brandy’s game room, sharp and rhythmic against the polished quiet of the mansion. The room smelled faintly of polish and old money, the kind that lingered no matter how often the windows were opened. Brandy leaned over the table, cue steady in her hand, eyes narrowed in concentration.
She took the shot.
The white ball glided cleanly across the green felt, struck its target, and sent a red ball spinning neatly into the corner pocket.
“Clean,” Brandy muttered to herself.
She straightened just as Pearl appeared at the doorway.
Pearl stepped in slowly, her posture careful, her expression unusually soft. She wore a small smile. Her hands were clasped in front of her like she was approaching someone fragile.
Brandy noticed immediately.
She straightened fully and rested the cue stick against the table. “Why are you smiling like that?”
Pearl blinked. “Like what?”
“Like you’re auditioning for sainthood,” Brandy said flatly. “What’s wrong with you today?”
Pearl chuckled lightly and walked closer. “Nothing is wrong. I just thought we could spend time together. You know… like sisters.”
Brandy stared at her.
“Sisters?” she repeated slowly.
“Yes,” Pearl said, nodding eagerly. “We don’t really do that anymore. I miss it.”
Brandy scoffed and circled the table, chalking her cue. “You miss it or you need something?”
Pearl frowned. “Why does everything have to be like that with you?”
“Because it usually is,” Brandy replied. “You don’t just wake up nice to me for no reason.”
Pearl sighed and sat on the edge of one of the leather chairs. “I’m allowed to change.”
Brandy shot another ball without looking at her. “Since when?”
Pearl opened her mouth to respond, but footsteps echoed from the hallway before she could. Carey walked in, phone in hand, chewing gum loudly. She paused when she saw Pearl.
“Oh,” Carey said. “Look who decided to come out of hiding.”
Pearl forced a smile. “Hi, twin.”
Carey raised an eyebrow. “Why aren’t you with your detective boyfriend?”
Pearl stiffened slightly. “Flynn isn’t my whole life.”
Carey laughed. “Since when?”
Brandy glanced between them, amused. “Yeah, Pearl. You usually vanish whenever his name comes up.”
Pearl straightened her back, clearly gathering courage. “Actually… that’s why I came.”
Brandy leaned on the table, cue resting under her arm. “Here we go.”
Pearl lifted her left hand. The ring caught the light instantly. A diamond, not huge but unmistakable, glittered proudly on her finger.
Silence fell for half a second.
Carey squinted. “Is that real?”
Pearl’s smile widened. “Flynn proposed last night.”
Carey burst out laughing.
She laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach, bending slightly forward. “You’re joking.”
Pearl’s smile faltered. “I’m not.”
Carey wiped imaginary tears from her eyes. “Engaged? To Flynn? That man that can’t even keep a secret for twenty-four hours?”
Pearl’s voice sharpened. “He loves me.”
Brandy shook her head slowly, lips pressed together. “Pearl…”
Pearl turned to her eagerly. “You don’t think it’s good news?”
Brandy sighed. “I think it’s sad.”
Pearl’s face fell. “Sad?”
“Yes,” Brandy said. “Because you’re celebrating crumbs like they’re a feast.”
Pearl’s eyes flashed. “That’s unfair.”
Carey snorted. “What’s unfair is you thinking a ring means he loves you.”
Pearl stood up. “You’re just bitter.”
Carey tilted her head. “About what? I’m not the one engaged to a walking conflict of interest.”
Pearl clenched her fists. “Flynn is a good man.”
Brandy laughed softly, shaking her head. “Good men don’t blur lines that easily.”
Pearl swallowed. “You don’t know him…like I do…”
“Exactly,” Brandy replied. “We know him better.”
Pearl looked between them, her confidence draining. “Why can’t you just be happy for me?”
Carey smirked. “Because we’ve seen this movie before.”
Pearl’s voice trembled. “This is different.”
Brandy pushed off the table and walked closer to her. “Pearl, listen to me. That man didn’t propose because he woke up madly in love.”
Pearl shook her head. “You’re wrong.”
“He proposed because he needs control,” Brandy continued. “Because he needs access. Because he needs leverage. He needs information from you.”
Pearl’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re just saying that because you don’t like him.”
Carey crossed her arms. “We don’t like him because he’s bad news. He has used you before.”
Pearl laughed shakily. “You both think you’re so smart.”
Brandy tilted her head. “Smarter than you right now, yes.”
That did it.
Pearl’s tears spilled over. “You think I’m stupid.”
Carey shrugged. “If the shoe fits.”
Pearl gasped. “How can you be so cruel?”
Brandy’s voice softened, but her words didn’t. “Because someone needs to be honest with you.”
Pearl wiped her face angrily. “I came here to share good news.”
“And we’re telling you the truth,” Carey replied. “That ring won’t save you.”
Pearl looked down at her hand, the diamond suddenly feeling heavier. “You’re jealous.”
Brandy laughed, genuinely this time. “Of what? A rushed engagement to a man who can’t even choose sides?”
Pearl’s shoulders slumped. “You don’t understand.”
Brandy stepped back. “We understand perfectly. You’re desperate to feel chosen.”
Pearl flinched.
Carey nodded. “And he knows it.”
Pearl looked up, eyes blazing through tears. “You’re horrible people.”
Brandy met her gaze calmly. “And you’re embarrassing yourself.”
That was the final blow.
Pearl turned abruptly, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she headed for the door. “I don’t need your approval.”
Carey waved dismissively. “Clearly.”
Pearl stopped at the doorway, her back to them. “You’ll see. I’ll be happy.”
Brandy picked up her cue again. “Happiness built on lies always collapses.”
Pearl didn’t reply. She walked out, the door closing softly behind her.
The room fell quiet again.
Carey scoffed. “Engaged,” she repeated, shaking her head. “What a joke.”
Brandy lined up another shot, her face unreadable. “She’s in deeper than she knows.”
Carey watched the door Pearl had exited through. “She looked hurt.”
Brandy struck the ball cleanly. “She’ll be fine.”
The ball dropped into the pocket.
Brandy straightened and exhaled slowly. “Or she won’t.”
The game continued.