ššš¢š„š¢šš”
The silence that followed was suffocating.
The temperature in the room plummeted. Ice crystals formed on every surface, spreading from Vladimir like a winter storm contained in flesh. My breath came out in visible puffs.
Caesar placed the ring box on the center table between us, leaning back with an expression that made my stomach turn. Not a single ounce of remorse. Not one shred of apology for the pain he'd caused. Just smugness tinged with some sick, righteous frustrationāas if *I* were being unreasonable.
As if he were doing me a favor.
I sat there, flabbergasted by the sheer audacity. The temerity of this man to walk into Vladimir's house, interrupt what was supposed to be my wedding day, call me a rebound-seeking fool, and thenā*and then*āpropose marriage like he was offering me salvation.
But then it hit me.
I caused this.