He proposed to me twelve times. I said "yes" each time. But every time, he said, "Not yet. Wait until I'm ready." By the thirteenth, I finally understood—he was never going to love me. So I told him, "Let's stop torturing each other." Eight years of waiting. Eight years of being "almost enough". Now he says he's ready—only after I've stopped caring.
Chapter 1
"Coming over tonight?"
"Sure."
I dropped every plan I had and drove straight to Aureum Estates.
When I arrived, Sebastian Prescott was in his study. Wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a Prada suit, he looked as polished and untouchable as ever.
"You're here?"
Failing to sneak up behind him and scare him, I let out a reluctant "mm-hmm" and reached out to wrap my arms around his neck.
"Seb, our anniversary's next week. How about dinner at that fancy restaurant we love? Then we could hike Twin Peaks to watch the sunrise. I heard..."
"Whatever you want. I need to finish this first."
Sebastian's body stiffened. With a slight knit of his brow, he disentangled my arms from his neck and offered that chillingly detached reply.
"Okay." I pulled my hands back, refusing to let the awkwardness settle in.
Sebastian hated distractions at work. But I forced my way in with my thick skin. After countless attempts to cling to him, I finally earned his silent tolerance: I could be there,
