Chapter 4 (Eleanor's POV)

"Eleanor, the custom engagement ring I commissioned from Chaumet just arrived at their boutique. Want to see it?"

Chaumet. The name alone was enough to make anyone pause. The jeweler of choice for European aristocrats, known for pieces that outshone even the finest diamonds.

I'd agreed to the marriage just days ago, but already the ring was here? Had Jasper planned this all along?

A thought nagged at me as I typed back a simple, "Sure."

The Chaumet boutique smelled like polished wood and luxury. A sleek specialist, all grace and poise, led me to a display case where the ring awaited. He looked at me with a smile that felt rehearsed.

"Miss Winters, this is the ring Mr. Blackwood specially commissioned for you."

My breath caught in my throat. I stared at the piece: a five-carat blue diamond, surrounded by a halo of pink and white diamonds. The stones caught the light like stars trapped in glass. I reached for it without thinking.

The specialist added with a quiet pride, "We’ve engraved your initials inside, as requested."

I turned the band, my finger tracing the delicate engraving. "JB EW" — my initials, my name intertwined with his. A quiet hum of emotion stirred in my chest.

It fit perfectly. As if it had always been meant for me.

The specialist leaned in, his voice sincere. "It’s stunning."

Before I could respond, a voice cut through the moment like a blade.

"Eleanor? What are you doing here?"

I turned, instinctively stiffening.

Henry.

His eyes locked on the ring, then shot back to me with a sudden flash of anger.

Beside him, Vivienne stood, her hand casually draped in his, as though she hadn’t just been caught in a moment of betrayal. The smile on Vivienne’s face was too sweet to be genuine.

I forced myself to relax. "Just trying on a ring," I said, a smile pulling at the corner of my lips.

Henry's eyes darkened as he stormed forward, his gaze flicking between me and the ring. "What do you think? Beautiful, isn’t it?" I wiggled my fingers, letting the diamonds catch the light.

Henry’s jaw tightened. His voice was sharp. "No. It’s not."

The words stung, but I didn’t flinch. We both knew what a ring like this meant.

He didn’t want me. He had made that clear. And the ring, no matter how stunning, was nothing more than a reminder of what I would never have.

Vivienne, sensing an opportunity, flashed a smile at me. "What a coincidence," she said. "Henry and I are here to look at rings, too."

I bit back a laugh.

So that’s what Henry’s ‘important business’ call had been about. Shopping for rings with Vivienne?

Henry didn’t deny it.

Vivienne’s eyes flicked over to the ring on my finger. Her gaze narrowed. That center stone had to be at least five carats, with those rare pink diamonds in the halo... I could see the jealousy burning in Vivienne’s eyes.

"Quite the ring," Vivienne said, her voice syrupy sweet.

I met her gaze. "Isn’t it? I think so too."

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken tension.

Henry’s face was red now, his hand clenching into a fist. "Take it off, Eleanor," he growled.

"Why?" I didn’t back down, though my heart skipped.

"Are you trying to pressure me into marriage?" He exploded, his voice rising. "I will never marry you!"

Vivienne’s lips curled into a smug smile.

"Actually, we’re here at Angelina’s request," she added, her words dripping with superiority. "She’s particular about the family ring." Her eyes bored into mine. "Henry and I are the future of the Ashcroft family. You don’t belong here."

My amusement flickered.

They were both acting like I was the one who had something to prove.

I hadn’t come here to win anyone’s approval. But watching them squirm made it hard to keep my composure.

"I see," I said evenly. "Noted."

Henry and Vivienne exchanged confused looks. They couldn’t understand why I wasn’t reacting the way they’d expected.

Vivienne studied me, trying to gauge whether I was hiding jealousy or simply too indifferent to care. But my expression remained neutral, as unreadable as stone.

Jasper’s text buzzed in my pocket, breaking the tension.

[Beautiful. Do you like it?]

I smiled, my fingers moving quickly across the screen.

[I do.]

[I'm glad.]

[Jasper, this ring must have cost a fortune.]

[You're worth every penny.]

I couldn’t help but grin. My heart fluttered in a way I hadn’t expected.

Later, I wandered into the watch boutique next door. I wanted to buy Jasper a gift—something that would suit him when I arrived in London.

My father had shown me recent photos of Jasper: cool, composed, his sharp features matching the coolness in his eyes. Just as I remembered.

I picked out a sleek black timepiece, the kind Jasper would appreciate—simple, elegant, and understated.

As I handed over the payment, a familiar voice called out.

"Eleanor, what are you…"

I froze mid-step. My heart skipped. I recognized that voice instantly.