Chapter 64
My heartless voice echoed throughout the birthday party.
The guests fell silent, making my earlier refusal seem all the more abrupt.
Mitchell still held up the large diamond ring, his eyes filled with deep affection.
He tilted his head slightly, his voice trembling. "Seraphine, I know it's presumptuous and tactless of me to appear here now, especially since we're no longer together."
I crossed my arms and said coldly, "As long as you know we're not together, then leave immediately."
Mitchell seemed not to hear, continuing on his own. "In fact, I have no right to ask for your forgiveness, let alone hope that we can go back to how things were."
He paused, taking a deep breath. "But I personally selected this diamond from abroad and had the best master jeweler set it by hand."
"While this ring was being crafted, I was thinking that only you in this entire world are worthy of this unique diamond."
Mitchell took a step forward, holding the ring up to me.
"I brought it here today not to force you, nor to ask for a reconciliation."
He gave a bitter smile. "I just want to tell you that in my, Mitchell's, eyes, the only wife I will ever acknowledge in this lifetime is you, Seraphine."
A wave of gasps erupted from the crowd.
I subconsciously looked at Brielle.
Brielle stood in the crowd, looking over, a strange look of astonishment on her face.
Clearly, she had no idea Mitchell would pull this stunt today.
What was going on?
Before, they had always worked together, with Mitchell playing the devoted lover and Brielle playing along, constantly speaking up for him and highlighting how wonderful he was.
But now, Brielle seemed to be completely in the dark about Mitchell's every move to win me back.
Before I could figure out what was happening, Mitchell's voice suddenly rose.
"From now on, I will not be with any other woman, nor will my heart be moved by anyone else. I will use the rest of my life to repent for the mistakes I've made in the past and to make up for the harm I've caused you!"
"Seraphine, I will wait, wait until you are willing to look back at me. Even if that day never comes, I will never love anyone else."
Mitchell looked at me with deep affection, his long speech full of emotion and pathos.
Just as he finished his performance, Amara suddenly rushed out.
Amara dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, sighing with a choked voice. "Mitchell, I've watched you two fall in love.But he was indeed foolish before, and he deserves to be scolded for that!"
I looked at Amara coldly. "So, Mom, are you saying his actions can be forgiven?"
Amara came forward and took my hand, her eyes red. "Mitchell is so sincere. I think you should give him a chance."
"It's so rare for him to recognize his mistakes and have the determination and attitude to repent in public."
Hearing this, the surrounding guests also began to murmur among themselves.
"Yes, he really seems to know he was wrong this time. What man doesn't make a few mistakes when he's young? The most important thing is to be able to correct them."
"Seraphine is being too heartless. Mitchell looks so pitiful. After all, he's showing his sincerity. It's not good to be so hard-hearted."
"Right, he's also the heir to the Stafford family. Isn't it enough that he's humbling himself like this to win her back?"
Those whispers came from all directions, hitting me.
These seemingly rational statements were just biased towards Mitchell, trying to emotionally blackmail me into nodding and accepting this diamond ring.
What did these people take me for?
The situation hadn't happened to them. They weren't the ones who were betrayed, so it was easy for them to speak of forgiveness on my behalf!
I immediately looked at Heath for help, hoping he would intervene.
Heath's face was extremely gloomy.
His eyes were sharp as he glared at Mitchell, saying angrily, "If you've said enough, then leave immediately! My daughter doesn't want to forgive you right now, so you should go!"
"I am truly repentant. I'm not asking for Seraphine's forgiveness. I only ask that Seraphine accept this diamond ring. As long as she accepts it, I will leave immediately!"Mitchell looked as if he was ready to swear an oath on the spot.
A wave of nausea washed over me, and I interrupted him without a second thought."Impossible. I'll say it again, a diamond ring has a special meaning. I will never forgive you, so naturally, I will not accept anything from you."
"Even if you throw it away, don't give it to me. Get out now!"
I knew exactly what Mitchell was up to.
Today, he wanted me to accept this diamond ring. As long as I accepted it, the news would spread, and everyone would think there was still a chance for us.
Then, I would be completely tied to Mitchell.
So, no matter what, this ring could not remain at my birthday party.
"I don't believe a single word you say. You are the most disappointing thing about this entire birthday party."I lifted my chin and said without mercy, "If you really want to make me happy, then take your things and leave immediately. On this wonderful day, I don't want to see you!"
As soon as I finished speaking, the muscles on Mitchell's face twitched. He was completely embarrassed in front of everyone.
A flash of anxiety and anger crossed his eyes, and he anxiously took a step forward."Seraphine, tell me, what will it take for you to accept this diamond ring? What do I have to say for you to believe me just once!"
Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, Mitchell stared at me intently."Or is it that you won't even give me the slightest chance because you already have someone else?"
The surrounding guests immediately started whispering.
"It can't be Octavius, can it? She's been getting quite close to him lately."
"If Seraphine really broke off the engagement and immediately got with another man, then she's also being fickle."
"Does she really like Octavius? A proud man like Octavius probably wouldn't accept that, would he?"
"Octavius is indeed proud, but he's not proud with Seraphine. He was so humble before and was publicly humiliated by her. Have you all forgotten?"
Hearing them bring up the awful things I had done to Octavius again, I couldn't hold it in any longer.
The reason I didn't want Octavius to come to the birthday party was to prevent these people from saying sharp, unkind words or gossiping about him behind his back.
I didn't want Octavius to be wronged in the slightest.
I never expected that even though he wasn't here, these people would still bring him up.
I no longer cared about decorum or giving these people face. I turned and snapped at them coldly."Mitchell's actions have nothing to do with Octavius! If you dare to randomly associate them again, aren't you afraid I'll tell Octavius?"
As soon as I spoke, the scene fell silent.
Everyone looked at each other, not daring to speak again.
Just then, a soft scoff came from the entrance, sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet scene.
"It's quite lively in here."
Everyone turned to look at the entrance in unison.
Seeing the person who had arrived, my breath caught in my throat.
It was Octavius.
He was standing there, his handsome face showing no obvious emotion, a faint smile playing on his lips as he casually scanned the room.
Octavius had actually come!