A thought too wild to believe flashed through Clara’s mind. She closed the box but was unable to recover from her shock.
Until Ian's sudden panicked voice sounded from the doorway. "Who gave you permission to touch my things?"
He hurriedly rushed in, snatched the box from her hand and, with a face dark with anger, scolded, "Did the Cumberland Family ever teach you to rummage through other people’s belongings?"
Clara jolted and finally came back to her senses. Her throat felt dry and she avoided his gaze and said in a low voice, "I was just looking for a pen to doodle with... I thought it might be in there."
Her explanation didn’t seem to convince him because Ian’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, his voice laced with urgency. "Did you open the box?"
Seeing the tension thickened in the air as time passed, Clara quickly shook her head. "No."
Ian exhaled in relief and his expression softened just a little. However, when his gaze returned to her, it was as cold as ever. "Get out and from now on, stay out of my study unless I say otherwise."
"Alright. I’m sorry." With a lowered head, Clara blinked rapidly and went straight to the attic,
When she was back in her room, she threw herself onto the bed, her mind unable to escape the image of the small box’s contents. She was certain those were the trinkets she had given him over the years.
Then why were they still here? Why had he kept them? They even placed in his most valued space, no less? Was it just a coincidence? Or did Ian feel something for her after all?
Her thoughts swirled into chaos and eventually, exhaustion claimed her.
The next morning, she was awakened by a commotion downstairs. When she peered over the railing, she saw a crowd gathered below. It looked like some sort of celebration.
Then, in front of everyone, Ian knelt on one knee. He was holding up a small velvet box. It was the very same diamond ring she saw last night.
"Rea, will you marry me?" he asked. He gazed up at Rea with a tenderness that nearly overflowed from his eyes.
"So that’s why you didn’t answer my calls last night … you were planning this!" Rea gasped in surprise. She did not hide the happiness in her heart.
Ian smiled and his voice dripped with warmth. It was the same warmth he used to reserve for Clara. "You deserve this and more. Rea, I will take care of you for the rest of my life."
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" the crowd cheered.
Tears shimmered in her eyes, amid the crowd, Rea took the initiative to lean in and kiss him.
Upstairs, Clara stood frozen, her face drained of color. It seemed from start to finish she was nothing but a joke. Just last night, he had foolishly dared to wonder if Ian harbored feelings for her and today, she was watching him propose to another woman in front of the crowd.
A sharp "smack" echoed in the empty attic as she slapped herself.
"Stop being so delusional. He’s engaged now. How pathetic can you be?" With gritted teeth, she threw herself back onto the bed. Her cheek is red and swollen,
Even though the door shut, she could clearly hear Ian’s joyful announcement drift up from below, "We’ll be holding the engagement banquet the day after tomorrow. I hope all of you can come and celebrate our happiness."
Clara was stunned. She covered her face as she silently cried. They had only known each other for a few months and yet he had already decided to marry Rea. He must really love her.
She directed her gaze on the ceiling in a daze and with a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, "This is good. At least… at least you’ll be happy."
At the engagement banquet, Clara waited for the crowd, who wanted to give a congratulatory gift around Ian turned to leave, before stepping forward with a small gift in her hands.
She had rehearsed this moment in her mind countless times. However, now that she was standing before him, her throat felt dry and the words she had prepared to say felt logged in her throat.
She forced herself to meet his eyes, she managed to whisper, "Brother, I wish you both a lifetime of happiness."
