Page 38 of Surrendering to the Obsession

She shook her head quickly, trying to steady herself. ‘No… it must be the stress. I must be tired. All those sleepless nights because of Alexander’s mess… that must be it.’

Janet forced a smile — brittle and lifeless — as Victor’s hopeful eyes met hers.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible but enough to ignite cheers around the room.

Victor didn’t notice the change in Janet’s expression as he continued to smile, his eyes glowing with excitement. He carefully took her hand, sliding the ring toward her finger.

It was then that Janet finally noticed the ring properly — a thin silver band with a tiny diamond no bigger than a drop of water. Her lips parted slightly, disappointment flickering in her eyes.

‘So small…’

Her thoughts drifted away without meaning to. She remembered the countless auctions she had attended with Alexander — the glittering chandeliers, the luxurious atmosphere, the envious gazes from women around the room.

‘Every time we went together to those events, he would buy so many rings, sets, even anklets. Those diamonds were so large and brilliant that people could see them from across the hall. Those nights always caused whispers. So many people used to stare at me, green with envy, thinking those jewels were for me because I was the one who always attended those parties with him.’

She remembered one particular evening vividly. Allen had questioned Alexander, asking whom he was buying the jewelry for.

Without any hesitation, Alexander had replied, “For my wife. Who else would I buy them for?”

There had been no embarrassment in his tone, no hesitation. His eyes had been calm, steady, even warm. And that shocked her because he was never kind to anyone. Yet, when he mentioned his wife—who didn’t even exist then—there was a strange, devoted warmth in his tone that Janet could never forget.

Now, as she looked at Victor’s ring, so small, dull, ordinary, something inside her twisted in discomfort. Her face stiffened. The moment she had dreamt of for years—being proposed to by the man she loved—was finally here, yet there was no happiness in her heart. Her face twisted slightly in discomfort, her fingers stiff.

Victor, still unaware, grinned from ear to ear, his heart full of joy. “It’s perfect, isn’t it?” he murmured.

He held her hand tenderly, about to slide the ring onto her finger when suddenly—

Her phone rang.

The sharp sound cut through the cheers and music. At once, Janet snatched her hand back from Victor’s grasp. The ring nearly slipped from Victor’s fingers. Everyone around them went quiet, their smiles fading into confusion.

Gasps rippled around the room. Christie’s eyes widened in disbelief, watching as Janet turned away from Victor mid-proposal. But Janet didn’t care. She answered the call without even glancing at the caller ID.

“Hello? Who is this?” she asked quickly.

A man’s urgent voice came through the line.

“Miss Janet Goodwin, this is Hardy from the AIDT hospital. You need to come to the hospital immediately. Your mother’s condition has worsened. We're taking her into emergency surgery right now.”

Janet’s breath caught in her throat. Her entire body went still.

“What?” she whispered, her voice trembling. The blood drained from her face, and panic flashed in her eyes.

Without another word, she spun around and bolted for the door.

“Janet!” Victor called after her, alarmed. Christie quickly followed, exchanging a worried glance with him before the two of them rushed out after her.

***

Mia walked into Max Mall with Hazel beside her, shopping bags swinging lightly from her hands. Hazel’s eyes darted around inwonder, taking in the gleaming floors, the polished storefronts, and the luxury brands surrounding them.

Even though she came from an affluent family, she had never dared to step inside Max Mall before. This place was on an entirely different level—one that even millionaires like her family couldn’t touch. Here, wealth wasn’t just displayed—it was lived. And Hazel knew she probably couldn’t afford even a single item inside.

“I still can’t believe you actually married Alexander Graves,” Hazel said, her tone a mix of disbelief and shock. “When you told me you’d remarried just days after divorcing James, you never mentioned it washim!”

Mia glanced at her, calm and unbothered. “Does it matter? I didn’t think it was important.”

Hazel stopped in her tracks, throwing her arms up dramatically. “Didn’t think it was important?! Mia, you married one of the richest men in the country! The man literally owns half of it!” She placed her hands on her hips, exasperated. “How could you possibly think that wasn’t worth mentioning?”