Still, he exuded indifference, which made the next statement all the easier. His gaze was fixed on something over her shoulder, and she turned to see what had garnered his attention: a pretty blonde wearing yoga pants.
Maybe Charlotte was right. Cheater? At any rate, any other fiancé would be overjoyed and proud of her. William sure would be. “You’re right. Ihaveworked hard. In fact, La Tempera is a dream come true. My very own achievement was made possible by Guy and my dogged determination to succeed. I also think ... it’s a good sign of things to come for my future in Manhattan’s art circle.”
George nodded, eyes still glued over her shoulder as he sipped.
“If you can stop staring at the woman behind me and give me your attention for a sec, I want to make something very clear to you.”
He did as bid.
“It’s time to part ways. I’m not in love with you, and honestly, I don’t think you’re in love with me. You and I have different aspirations for our lives and the future of my gallery. I can’t marry you.”
He snapped to attention. “What?”
“You heard me. I called all the wedding vendors on Friday and canceled the wedding.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I can and did. It had to be this way.” She reached her hand out across the table, but he didn’t take it.
“Ha. I thought we had an understanding,” he challenged with a furrowed brow before sardonically laughing. “You dounderstand that ...I’mthe prize, here. You get me, and I get half of La Tempera. That’s what we agreed on.”
Indignant, she laughed, reaching deep down into her reserve. “You have that wrong. I didn’t agree on anything other than marrying you, which I’m changing my mind on. Frankly ... you’re wrong.” She pulled her shoulders back and raised her chin. “I’mthe prize, not my art gallery. And based on how you treat me like a doormat and look at other women, coupled with your disgusting behavior, I don’t know how I didn’t see this before ... but,you’rea friggin’boobyprize.” She stood, staring down at his dumbfounded expression.
“I did more than look at other chicks,” he said smugly.
The contempt in his eyes took her aback. Staring at him, she searched her mind for a smart-ass reply but came up short. “I always knew your so-called work wasn’t AI-generated?all the more reason for me to break it off. Guy is right. You are a shifty pervert and sure as hell don’t deserve me.”
“And Darcy does?”
“Idon’t deservehim, but he’s found his prize in Caroline. Besides, William Darcy has nothing to do with my breaking it off with you. You did that all on your own.”
He snorted. “Caroline! I know Carolineintimately, but you don’t know anything about the true Darcy,” he scoffed.
“Oh, you’re so wrong, George. I know that William iseverythingyou are not and will never be, no matter how hard you try to emerge from his shadow. He’ll always be a better man than you.”
She slid off the engagement ring and placed it on the table.
George laughed. “Keep it. It’s a fake anyway.”
That hurt, but she laughed it off. “Like I said,nothinglike William. Goodbye.”
Turning on her heel, she stuck her ex-fiancé with the check for the first time in their entire relationship and didn’t feel a modicum of regret for her decision to break up.
The sun beat down upon her retreating body, and it felt soooo good. Her light and confidence were returning.
“Well?” Guy said, storming into the gallery on a mission.
Pencil in hand, she looked up from the design sketch on her desk. “Good morning!”
Crossing his arms, he tapped his foot. “Yes, yes! What is going on, chica?”
“Nothing. I’m working on a design plan for the Gleason exhibit setup.”
“Stop it now, Lizzy. What happened this morning withel hijo del diablo?” He made devil horns with his fingers, raising and rocking them side to side.
Removing her fashionable eyeglasses, she settled back into the chair, tossing them onto the schematic. “It’s done, and I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders.”
“I am so proud of you, my little dove. What did he say?”
