Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 142

The moon was high, and stars barely scattered across the night sky. Way out on the horizon, the last bit of sunset still glowed—deep blue fading into gold, giving the city a soft, dreamy look.

Music played low in the car. Dawn sat in the passenger seat, twisting the ring on her finger while staring out the window, lost in her own head.

Everything felt unreal.

In just two months, she was actually going to be married.

She wasn't sure if this was the right move or a disaster waiting to happen. Still, she knew one thing, if she didn't make her own choice, Austin would end up picking a "perfect match" for her—someone good for her image, and even better for the company.

So what's the real difference?

There isn't one.

Might as well take her own chances. No matter what, at least she'd be moving forward.

From the driver's side, Ethan kept sneaking looks at her. In the dim light, her face looked almost sculpted, with soft lines and a few loose strands of hair blowing across her forehead.

The light flipped green.

He jerked his eyes back to the road, expression impossible to read.

They pulled up to the house not long after. Dawn unbuckled, about to get out, when his voice stopped her. "Wait a sec."

"Huh?" She turned, confused, thinking she'd left something in the car. "What is it?"

Ethan leaned in, all sharp posture and steady confidence, his dark eyes locked on hers. "Ms. Porter, you must've spent forever planning tonight's proposal. So, what'd you think of my reaction?"

His voice was low and smooth, almost like a singer's whisper.

Dawn froze, afraid the moment would break if she moved.

She dropped her gaze, trying to avoid his eyes, only to end up staring at the open collar of his shirt—at the hint of collarbone and muscle showing underneath. Yeah, unfairly perfect.

"I'm happy with it."

He looked every inch like a model.

Ethan's tone stayed calm. "So, nothing else you want to say?"

"It's so whi—wait, no." She caught herself, mortified. What was she even saying?!

Biting her lip, squeezing her eyes shut, she blurted out another idea. "I mean, I saw this white cake online earlier. When it gets here, we can blow out candles again at midnight."

Ethan gave her a look—obviously, cake wasn't what he thought she meant.

"I ... yeah. Of course I do."

Almost like she was convincing herself, she repeated softly, "I do."

Relief crossed his face. He pulled a small cream-colored box from his pocket, popped it open, and the light caught the pink diamond inside, making it shine like crazy.

Dawn, as a jewelry designer, recognized quality instantly. That stone was no joke.

She stared, quiet, while Ethan started to look a little uneasy.

"The second I saw it, I thought it suited you. But if you don't like it, we can trade it for something else, okay?"

She didn't look away, only shook her head slowly. "It feels familiar, like I've seen it before." Then it hit her. She grabbed his arm, eyes lighting up. "The ten-carat pink diamond from the Gredos Auction—this is the one!"

She remembered some mystery bidder had bought it.

So that was Ethan?

He relaxed, gently took her hand, and slid the ring onto her finger. "A friend of mine bought it. You wear it for now. If something catches your eye later, we'll switch it."

Dawn wet her lips, completely at loss for words.