Fifty-Two Cancellations Chapter 2

But she gently pried my fingers loose.

"Shawn." Her voice was gentle, yet every word cut like a blade. "You know that kitten means everything to Damon. I can’t just ignore that."

Then she let Damon pull her away.

She left me behind like a clown, alone in the suffocating silence and whispers filling the room.

Five times, ten times, thirty times… all the way to fifty-two.

It felt as though my heart had been hollowed out, cold wind rushing through the empty space.

Just then, a translucent wall of text suddenly appeared in front of my eyes.

[Here we go again! Shawn, don’t tell me you’re still thinking about getting back together with her!]

I shuddered, nearly losing my balance.

How did it know?

[Blood pressure through the roof! I suggest asking Veronica’s mortal enemy if she wants to get married right now!]

[Yes! Go find Meredith! Make that cheating bitch Veronica furious!]

Her mortal enemy, Meredith Rodgers?

The woman who clashed with Veronica every time they met, yet occasionally let her thoughtful gaze drift over me?

Could I really do that?

Veronica’s parents, Robert and Emmeline Monroe, stood up at that moment and began mocking me. "I knew it. There’s no way my daughter would actually stay with you. Just look at yourself."

The other guests joined in.

"Exactly. Some nightclub guy with no idea where he came from actually thinks he can marry into a wealthy family? What a joke!"

"If you ask me, Miss Monroe did the right thing by leaving!"

I clenched my suit lapel tightly, my heart full of grievance. She was the one who had done something wrong, yet because of the difference between our social positions, I was the one being ridiculed.

The comments continued urging me on.

[What are you waiting for? Go ask her!]

With every guest staring at me in shock, I walked straight toward Meredith, who had been sitting quietly in the corner. She looked up at me, her eyes clear and indifferent, giving nothing away.

I stopped in front of her. My voice was quiet, trembling as though I were throwing everything I had away.

"Meredith, will you… marry me right now?"

The room erupted.

Countless gazes shot toward me like arrows. Someone exclaimed, "Are you insane? This isn’t a nightclub. Don’t tell me you’re trying to use the same tricks you used to hook Miss Monroe to hook Meredith Rodgers too?"

I just stared at Meredith.

She froze for a moment, then set down her wineglass and gave me a faint smile. Her voice wasn’t loud, but everyone in the room heard it clearly.

"Of course I will."

[AAAAH! Shawn finally grew a backbone!]

[Oh my God, if Veronica were here, she’d be absolutely furious!]