Chapter 53: A Ring Too Late
by SlivvoTyler had just proposed to Jordan’s ex-wife, right in front of him.
Victoria clenched her fists.
How dare he?
She had the urge to slap Tyler across the face again, just like last time.
But she didn’t.
If Hailey marries Tyler, it’ll be easier for me to be with Jordan.
For women like Victoria, logic always outweighed emotions.
If Hailey was off the table, Jordan would have no reason to look back.
Jordan didn’t stop them either.
Earlier, he had interfered—turning off the microphone, having the staff destroy the balloons.
But that wasn’t because of jealousy.
It was because Tyler’s extravagant display was disturbing the restaurant’s atmosphere.
Now, with all the distractions removed, Tyler was just another customer making a personal proposal.
More importantly…
Jordan wanted to know Hailey’s answer.
Would she really say yes so soon after their divorce?
He stared at her, waiting.
Hailey’s Dilemma
Hailey’s heart pounded.
She hadn’t expected this.
Sure, she had planned for this moment—Rachel had even helped her strategize.
But… it was too soon.
She wasn’t ready.
“Tyler,” she began hesitantly, “um… can you give me some time to think about this?”
A polite rejection.
But not a firm no.
Tyler nodded, expecting as much.
A woman like Hailey Camden wasn’t one to accept a proposal on the first try.
“Of course.” He smiled. “Take your time. But please, accept the ring.”
He stood up and placed the Tiffany box in her hands.
Hailey stared at it, mesmerized by the sparkling diamond inside.
A three-carat dream sitting in her palm.
She should have been happy.
But instead, a wave of bitterness washed over her.
She turned to Jordan, her eyes dark with resentment.
“You keep saying that you’re rich,” she snapped. “That you own a corporation, that you even own this restaurant—”
Her voice shook with frustration.
“—but if you were so loaded, then why didn’t you ever buy me a diamond ring?”
The room fell silent.
Tyler smirked, but he didn’t interrupt.
Hailey stepped closer, eyes burning.
“Back then, you just… moved in. You didn’t even propose properly. No engagement ring, no wedding ring—nothing.”
Jordan exhaled quietly.
He knew.
He knew he had never given Hailey what she wanted.
What every girl dreamed of.
A grand proposal, a glistening diamond on her finger.
But it wasn’t because he didn’t want to.
He was a live-in husband, under orders.
He had no choice.
“If you hadn’t betrayed me,” he said calmly, “I would have made it up to you… with a 21-carat diamond ring.”
A Promise Forgotten
Hailey froze.
A 21-carat ring.
The words triggered a memory—
A year ago.
They had watched a movie together, 21 Carats.
Afterward, she had teased him.
“You never even got me a ring. What kind of husband doesn’t buy his wife a diamond?”
That day, Jordan had promised her—
“Just wait. A year from now, I’ll buy you a 21-carat diamond ring.”
Back then, she had laughed, scoffing at his bold words.
She hadn’t believed him.
Because she never thought he’d be capable of keeping that promise.
Now…
It turned out, he could have.
A Quiet Exit
Jordan said nothing more.
He had nothing left to say.
Turning on his heel, he left without looking back.
Victoria followed, glancing at Hailey one last time before heading upstairs.
As soon as they reached the third floor, Victoria crossed her arms.
“Hailey might not have accepted Tyler’s proposal today,” she noted, “but she didn’t reject him either.”
She watched Jordan’s expression carefully.
“I bet if he proposes a few more times, she’ll say yes.”
Jordan remained silent, sipping his water.
Victoria leaned in, her gaze sharp.
She had seen how he handled Zack Smith.
Jordan wasn’t the type of man to let a betrayal go unanswered.
“Jordan,” she said slowly, “you’re not just going to sit back and let Hailey and Tyler have their happy ending, are you?”
Jordan stared down at his glass, his fingers tightening slightly around it.
A quiet smirk played at the corner of his lips.
Victoria’s eyes gleamed.
She knew it.
He had a plan.
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