Chapter 293: Chapter 293: Wedding Rings Don’t Suit You and Me
Chapter 293: A Wedding Ring Doesn’t Suit Us.
The man raised his hand, his fingers gently stroking the edge of a petal. Water still beaded on his hand, and a drop fell onto the flower. He plucked one out, twirling it between his fingers. His dark eyes were veiled in a hazy mist, a smile playing on his thin lips as he said, "If you don’t get into character, how will you ever know what you really want?" After he spoke, the air fell silent for several seconds.
Rachel Royce asked in a deep voice, "Then what is it you want?" "I want you." His voice was a low, seductive rumble, thick with desire. His tone was so sincere, it was as if he were truly baring his soul to her.
She clutched her phone, silent for a moment after his sudden declaration. "Then I advise you to give up on that idea immediately," she said. "If you have needs, go find another woman." Tristan Sterling’s voice was low and husky. "Right now, you’re the only one I’m interested in." Rachel Royce’s tone was completely devoid of emotion. "A pity. I’m not interested in you." With that, she hung up.
"Is that right? That’s fine. We’ll have plenty of time later." Rachel Royce heard him say, frowning before hanging up the phone.
Tristan Sterling listened to the BEEP-BEEP-BEEP from the other end of the line. He lowered the phone, a soft chuckle escaping him as he glanced at the screen. Setting the device aside, his gaze fell to the rose in his hand, which he then slowly crushed between his fingers.
Rachel Royce sat on the sofa with a somber expression, lost in silent thought.
"Mommy!" Melissa’s cheerful voice called out.
Rachel Royce snapped out of her thoughts and stood, walking toward the entrance. Melissa came in as the door opened.
"Time to change into your pajamas." Rachel Royce led Melissa to the walk-in closet and helped her change. She then got her washed up and ready for bed. After playing together on the bed for a little while and telling her a story, Melissa soon grew drowsy and drifted off to sleep.
Rachel Royce lay beside Melissa, gently patting her back. Her gaze fell upon her daughter’s plump, rosy cheeks, and her expression softened. She couldn’t resist leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her smooth skin.
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ— The sudden vibration of her phone shattered the tranquility of the bedroom.
She rolled onto her side and picked up her phone. Her brow furrowed when she saw the caller ID, but she answered. A man’s voice came through. "Is Melissa asleep?" Rachel lowered her voice, replying coolly, "She just fell asleep." "Good. Then come outside." ’The faint rumble of a car engine she’d heard from outside a moment ago... that was clearly Tristan Sterling. He really does what he says he’ll do.’
"I’m going to bed," she said, her tone laced with impatience.
"Then I can just come in. It’s cold out, this will save you a trip. Just for a few minutes." "..."
「A few minutes later.」
Rachel Royce put on a thick coat and stepped out the front door of the villa.
When Tristan Sterling saw her emerge, he pushed open his car door and strode forward. He was dressed in a black greatcoat, the cold wind ruffling his neat, short hair. Backlit by a dim yellow streetlight that stretched his shadow long, he radiated an aura of cool, aristocratic grace.
Rachel Royce watched him, her expression calm.
Tristan Sterling closed the distance in a few long strides. Before Rachel Royce could react, he pulled her firmly into his arms, holding her tight.
Rachel Royce didn’t react, simply allowing the man to hold her. The lamplight reflected in her eyes revealed no flicker of emotion.
Under the streetlight, their elongated shadows made them look like a pair of lovers, locked in a tight, adoring embrace.
A cold gust of wind swept past.
Tristan Sterling loosened his embrace but kept a long arm wrapped around her. "It’s cold out here. Let’s get in the car for a bit." As he opened the rear door, Rachel Royce saw a bouquet of roses sitting on the seat.
"Get in." Rachel Royce climbed into the car.
Tristan Sterling shut her door before getting in on the other side. The heat was on high. He raised the privacy partition, sealing them in a space completely invisible from the outside as the rich fragrance of roses filled the air.
Tristan Sterling produced a small jewelry box from his greatcoat pocket, opened it, and presented it to Rachel Royce. "Do you like the style?" Rachel looked down. It was a pair of diamond rings. Judging from the craftsmanship and design alone, they were of the absolute highest quality.
But as she looked at the pair of diamond rings, she felt no stir in her heart. She looked up at the man before her. "So, you came all this way just to give me diamond rings?" Tristan Sterling took her by the wrist, pulling her hand toward him. He set the jewelry box aside, took out the smaller of the two rings, and gently slid it onto the long, slender ring finger of her right hand.
The ring was a perfect fit for Rachel Royce’s finger. The band was fully encircled with pavé pink diamonds—a style suitable for everyday wear, understated yet elegant.
Tristan Sterling looked on, a smile curving his lips. "Pink suits you, too." Rachel Royce pulled her hand back, glancing at the ring on her finger. "Tristan Sterling, we don’t have a traditional marriage. A wedding ring doesn’t suit you and me."
As she spoke, she slid the ring off her finger and placed it back inside the jewelry box.
Tristan Sterling watched her, not seeming surprised in the least.
"I admit, that was presumptuous of me. It’s fine. If you don’t want to wear it now, then don’t. We’ll wear them later, when the time is right." Rachel Royce looked at him. "When will the time be right?" Tristan Sterling smiled faintly. "When you’re willing." Rachel averted her gaze, leaning back against the plush car seat. "Willing? Do you think I’ll go back to being the girl who only had eyes for you?" Their tones were so calm, they could have been discussing something completely unimportant.
Tristan Sterling gazed at her with his deep-set eyes. "Looking at the situation now, it seems quite difficult. But no one can predict the future. Just like five years ago, I never expected I would want to win you back this much." ’He couldn’t deny it. When he had first proposed the divorce, he had fully intended to go through with it as soon as Rachel Royce gave birth to their child.’
’But now... no one could have predicted any of this.’
"Perhaps, in the end, you’ll be the one who doesn’t want to divorce me." A cold, mocking smile touched Rachel Royce’s lips. "You always have that look of someone holding all the cards. To be honest, it’s really tiresome." Tristan Sterling reached for her hand. "It’s not that I’m so sure of victory. It’s just that some things are better kept in your heart, with no need to show them off." Rachel Royce turned to look at him.
Tristan Sterling simply smiled and said nothing, changing the subject. "I’ve found out who was behind Julian Jennings getting hurt." Rachel Royce’s expression darkened. ’She couldn’t believe he had actually investigated it.’
"Rowan doesn’t need your investigation." "I told you, I want to repay the favor for you." Rachel Royce’s expression grew even darker, and she snatched her hand back. "If you insist on doing things your own way, don’t expect any gratitude from me."
