Secrets Of The Neglected Wife: When Her True Colors Shine
The Unwanted Wife's Unexpected Comeback
Comeback Of The Adored Heiress
Love Unbreakable
Reborn And Remade: Pursued By The Billionaire
His Unwanted Wife, The World's Coveted Genius
Bound By Love: Marrying My Disabled Husband
The Masked Heiress: Don't Mess With Her
My Coldhearted Ex Demands A Remarriage
Celestial Queen: Revenge Is Sweet When You're A Zillionaire Heiress
Ivy's POV
"Are you kidding me right now, Nathan?"
My voice trembled, sharp and unyielding, slicing through the room like a knife. Gasps echoed among the crowd, and all the chatter and laughter ceased as if someone had flipped a switch.
Tonight was supposed to be perfect. My birthday. My moment. The room was alive with golden lights, laughter, and music that vibrated with happiness. I had spent weeks planning every detail, but now, the celebration felt like a mockery.
Nathan Harper, my boyfriend of three years, stood in the center of the room on one knee, holding a ring box in his hand. He wasn't facing me, though.
He was facing her.
Sarah. My best friend-no, my ex-best friend-stood there, her expression caught between shock and self satisfied glee. She covered her mouth with her hands like a damsel in distress, pretending as though she had no idea this was coming.
"You've got to be kidding me," I said again, louder this time, my voice ringing with disbelief.
Nathan glanced over his shoulder, his expression mix of guilt and defensiveness. "Ivy, please," he said, his tone so calm that it made my blood boil.
"Please?" I snapped, taking a step closer. "Please what, Nathan? Please understand why you're proposing to my best friend at my birthday party?" My voice cracked on the last word, but I pushed through. "Make it make sense, Nathan."
"It's not what it looks like," Sarah quickly interrupted, her voice sweet and soothing.
I turned to her, my eyebrows shooting up. "Oh, it's not? Then by all means, Sarah, explain it to me. Did Nathan accidentally fall to his knee in front of you? Did the ring magically appear in his pocket?"
Sarah's cheeks flushed, and she hesitated for a moment before replying. "We didn't mean for it to happen this way."
"Oh, save it," I said with a humorless laugh. "You didn't mean for it to happen this way? When exactly did you plan to tell me? Or were you going to wait until after the honeymoon?"
Nathan stood up then, brushing a hand through his hair. "Ivy, I didn't want you to find out like this."
"Find out? Nathan, you're literally proposing to her in the middle of a party filled with my friends and family. When exactly was I not going to find out?" I pointed a finger at the photographer in the corner. "You hired a photographer, for God's sake. You planned this!"
The room buzzed with murmurs, the guests shifting uncomfortably. One woman near the dessert table whispered, "This is a complete mess."
Sarah stepped forward, her hands raised as if she were the one calming the situation. "Ivy, let's not creating a scene."
"A scene?" I repeated, my voice rising. "Sarah, the scene was made the moment he got down on one his knee. I'm just trying to figure out how you had the guts to show up here, knowing this is my party, and pull this stunt!"
Sarah flinched but quickly recovered. "We didn't want it to happen like this. We were going to tell you. Privately."
"Oh, privately? So, I was supposed to quietly accept your betrayal while you flaunt your shiny new ring?"
Nathan stepped between us, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Alright, that's enough. Ivy, can we please talk about this somewhere else?"
I looked at him, in disbelief. "Somewhere else? Oh no, Nathan. We're doing this right here. You didn't consider privacy when you set up this little show. Don't get shy now."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I noticed the calm facade fade. "You're being unreasonable Ivy."
"Unreasonable? Like seriously?" My laugh was sharp, bitter. "You turned my birthday party into an engagement party for you and my best friend, and I'm being unreasonable? Please, Nathan, tell me how I should be reacting. Should I clap? Should I offer to buy your first baby's crib?"
Sarah stepped forward again, her voice soft and sready. "Ivy, I know you're hurt-"
"Oh, don't," I interrupted, my tone ice cold. "Don't stand there and pretend like you care about my feelings. If you truly did, you wouldn't be standing here in my infront on my friends and family, wearing a ring that my boyfriend bought for you."
Nathan let out a frustrated sigh. "Ivy, you're exaggerating this. It's not like we wanted you to find out this way."