Spencer's POV
My voice was calm—far too calm compared to the way I’d lost control just a week ago. I watched Dahlia’s expression shift, and before she could speak, I reminded her, “Last week, I asked you something, didn’t I?”
“Dahlia,” I said, serious, trying to jog her memory, “didn’t I tell you that the moment you walked out that door, we were done?”
I took a step toward her.
I saw guilt flicker in her eyes, but I went on, “And what was it you said back then? You said, ‘Break up? Sure. Fine. Let’s break up. Whoever takes it back is an asshole.’ Dahl—”
Before I could finish, she cut me off by kicking one of the boxes hard as frustration surged through her. The dull thud echoed through the room.
Gideon jumped and screamed, “Spencer! What’s your problem?!”
Gone was the gentle tone he’d used earlier. His voice sharpened instantly. “Do you even know? This whole week, Dahlia kept telling me how good your temper is, how kind you are. She even said that if you two got back together, she’d marry you! She said she wanted to give you a stable future. She even asked us what she should do to make you happier! How can you treat her like this?!”
His eyes were red with anger, as if he were the one who’d been wronged. “Dahlia’s been planning your future together. And what does she get in return? A breakup text and all her things thrown to the door like you’re tossing her out? Spencer, don’t be so selfish!”
As he ranted, I watched Dahlia. Her earlier anger softened, replaced with something almost tender as her gaze fell on Gideon, as if she was touched by his anger on her behalf.
My stomach twisted painfully.
She gently pinched his cheek and whispered, “I’m fine.”
Then she turned back to me, hesitating for a long moment before speaking.
“I wasn’t planning to tell you this,” she said, almost whispering. “I’ve actually been thinking about marrying you. Spencer, haven’t you always complained that I don’t care enough? That everyone around us is getting married, having kids, and you’re still waiting for me to settle down?”
“Spencer.” She slipped her hand out of Gideon’s grip, reached into her pocket, and pulled out the watch I’d wanted for years.
Then she stepped closer to me. “I can forgive your tantrum. I won’t hold it against you, even though you went too far this time. But you need to promise me, no more acting like this. If Gideon hadn’t been here today, we would’ve been fighting again. Don’t you think so?”
“Spencer,” she said softly.
She opened the box. The diamonds inside caught the light and sparkled.
“I always remember what you like and what you don’t. So, can you stop being angry now?”
She lifted the watch, ready to put it on my wrist.
Behind her, I heard Gideon mutter in a mocking tone, “Only Dahlia would spoil someone like you. A spoiled man who doesn’t know how to behave, who else would tolerate that except her?”
As she leaned closer, her scent brushed against my nose. And suddenly, I remembered our argument that night—how I’d demanded to know why she had to leave, why Gideon was always the one she chose over me.
Why, in her heart, would I never compare myself to him?
That night, she looked at me like I was crazy and snapped, “Spencer, what else do you want from me?! I spend half my time at home with you. Half my life is wasted on you, and you still think it’s not enough? All I wanted was to hang out with my friends for once. What did I do wrong?!”
We fought brutally. And in the end, I said the words that broke everything.
