Harrison dropped to one knee. "Sibyl, from beginning to end, you're the only woman I've ever loved. These years without you have been nothing but agony. When we found each other again, I finally understood that you've loved me all along too."
"Marry me. I know I'm bankrupt, but it's only temporary. I'll give you back the life you had before, every bit of it."
I didn't answer. Instead, I let my gaze drift across the crowd of his friends, one face at a time. A few of them looked away, unable to hold my stare.
Only Brent stepped forward.
"We were out of line last time. We admit that. But Harrison wouldn't take our money. He said if we were truly sorry, we should help him set up a proposal instead." Brent gestured at the rooftop around us. "Look at him. He's lost everything, and the first thing on his mind is still you. You should appreciate how hard these years have been for him. Take the win and let it go."
Harrison seemed to steel himself, then pointed at the civil affairs bureau visible in the distance. "Sibyl, I mean it this time. If you don't believe me, we'll go get our marriage license right now. I know all you've ever wanted is a real home."
"You're saying you want to give me a home?" I looked him dead in the eye.
"Yes." His gaze was unwavering.
I couldn't help but laugh.
A home from Harrison Gilbert. Who in their right mind would want that?
He seemed to have forgotten the night I left, when he brought Gloria into our marital home under the guise of "work." The home I'd decorated with my own hands, down to every last detail.
I screamed at him, told her to get out.
Gloria didn't flinch. She just stood behind Harrison, smiling that smug, satisfied smile.
Because Harrison said, "Who gave you the right to throw out someone of mine? This house is a Gilbert family asset. It's in my name."
He shoved me out the door. "A man of my status was never going to have just one woman. If you still haven't figured out how to be Mrs. Gilbert, go stand outside and think about it."
I dug my nails into my palms, hauled myself up off the ground, and walked out under the watchful eyes of the household staff.
The night was freezing. The sky was pitch black.
I had no luggage, no phone. Forget money; I didn't even have a tissue on me.
Just as I was wiping my tears with the back of my hand, a car pulled up in front of me.
The window rolled down, revealing a face that was both familiar and ice-cold. "Get in. We need to talk."
The memory of that face made me smile out loud.
"Sibyl, you're smiling! That means yes, doesn't it?"
Harrison's delighted voice cut through my memories.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out a ring, and slid it onto the ring finger of my right hand.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Gilbert. I'm already married."
At that exact moment, Harrison's assistant burst through the rooftop door in a panic.
