13 A Ring
Sienna’s phone lit up as she sat in her living room.
‘I’m waiting for you at Blue Orchid.’
Her fingers tightened around her phone, her eyes scanning the message before she froze, biting her lip in thought. A nervous flutter of anticipation coursed through her, but she pushed it down quickly.
‘It’s New Year’s… would he remember I always loved celebrating it?’
But then she quickly shook the thought away. ‘It can’t be. And even if he remembers, he’s never been big on celebrating New Year’s. There’s nothing special to expect. I need to stop thinking like this.’
Still, her heart raced. A quiet hope she didn’t want to admit.
She stood up. ‘I should wear something nice,’ she thought.
Grabbing her bag, she moved toward the door, only to hear Theo’s voice from the couch.
“Where are you going? Work?”
Theo and Rosie were looking up at her from the couch, surprised.
“No,” she answered without thinking. “I’m going to the Blue Orchid bar.”
“I wanted to celebrate with you!” Rosie pouted. She stood up and walked over to Sienna, with Theo right behind her. “Let’s all go together! Why are you going alone?”
Sienna hesitated, her thoughts a tangled mess. She couldn’t tell them she’d be with Adrian, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to refuse them.
“Please, please, please,” Rosie begged, her face full of expectation. “I really wanted to celebrate with you. Can we go together?”
Sienna gave in, unable to resist their insistent faces. “Alright,” she sighed with a smile. “Let’s go.”
They got into the car with Theo driving. It didn’t take long to reach the bar.
As they stepped inside, Rosie suddenly stopped. “Wait! I forgot something important I had brought for Theo,” she said, bouncing on her feet.
“You two go ahead. I’ll be back in about an hour!”
“I’ll go with you. What do you need?” Theo asked, concern in his voice.
“No need.” Rosie waved her hand, flagging down a cab. “Really, I’ll be quick. You both go inside and start the New Year’s celebration. Don’t miss it.”
With that, Rosie hurried off, leaving Theo and Sienna.
Theo sighed and turned to Sienna. “Let’s go.”
The Blue Orchid bar looked like something out of a dream. Soft golden lights from the chandeliers made everything glow. Thick velvet curtains hung by the tall windows, and the air smelled of fresh orchids, expensive wine, and something warm like sandalwood.
Each table had a white silk cloth, a lit candle, and crystal glasses filled with champagne. In one corner, a small string band played soft music that filled the quiet room.
Sienna walked in with Theo beside her. Her heels made a gentle sound against the shiny marble floor. She had expected a crowd, loud laughter, and clinking glasses—it was New Year’s Eve, after all.
But the place was empty.
She blinked in surprise. Not a single guest in sight.
Then, her eyes shifted to a side table—and there he was.
Adrian.
Sitting alone, dressed in black, a glass of untouched champagne in front of him.
Her heart stopped.
For a moment, it felt like time stood still. The soft music faded in the background as her eyes locked on his.
He stood up the moment he saw her. His tall, broad frame straightened as he pushed back his chair and started walking toward her. There was a soft smile on his lips, the kind that tugged at her chest, but his eyes, those sharp eyes, burned with something far deeper.
But before she could take another step forward, Theo walked in right behind her, casually wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
“Let’s go. What are you standing here for?” he asked lightly, tugging her along as he walked deeper into the hall.
Adrian froze mid-step. His eyes locked on Theo’s arm around her, and within seconds, a storm surged inside him. Rage built fast and hard in his chest, burning through every inch of restraint. Theo had his arm around her — his woman.
As they entered, Theo’s eyes slid to Adrian. A flash of surprise crossed his face.
‘What is he doing here?’ Theo thought, his eyes narrowing on him.
His jaw tightened in annoyance, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he pulled Sienna closer to his side and slipped his other hand into his pocket, his body relaxed but alert as he walked her inside.
He guided Sienna to sit on the plush couch and then sat down close beside her—too close. His arm rested around her shoulder with ease. Then he leaned in, his lips brushing near her ear.
Sienna stiffened slightly, not used to being this close to Theo.
“We have to keep acting,” he whispered softly. “We’ve got a very interested audience.”
At his words, Sienna kept her gaze fixed on the table. She didn’t need to look to know who he meant. Adrian was the only other person in the restaurant, and she could feel his stare—piercing, possessive, and intense. And ever since Theo had touched her, that stare had turned blistering.
Keeping her composure, she smiled at Theo, playing along. She had to.
‘I can’t let him know that my marriage with Theo is just for show,’ a surge of panic was rising in her chest.
Turning toward Theo, she leaned in just a little more. “This is messy. Sorry. I didn’t want to ruin your night.”
Theo shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I wanted you to enjoy tonight. You’ve been working nonstop.” He glanced toward Adrian and added under his breath, “If I’d known that bastard ex of yours was here, we’d have gone elsewhere.”
His words were laced with frustration.
Theo peeked again at Adrian. The man hadn’t looked away once. His glare burned holes into them both. Even when Theo met his eyes directly, Adrian didn’t blink. He just glared.
“He’s still staring at us without even blinking,” Theo mumbled close to her ear, his face dipped in her neck.
Sienna let out a soft, airy laugh, pretending to enjoy her time with Theo, as if nothing else existed. She didn’t look back, didn’t flinch, but inside, she was twisting. She could feel Adrian’s eyes on her, furious and burning through her skin.
“It’ll be okay,” Theo murmured again. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and let his fingers trail gently along her cheek. “Actually, I’m glad he’s here. That bastard deserves to see how happy you are without him."
He paused, his voice lower. “I still remember how he treated you back then. Honestly, I think I hate him more than you do.”
Sienna bit her lower lip. Despite herself, her gaze lifted, and met Adrian’s.
He sat rigidly still at his table. His jaw clenched so tight it looked like it might crack. His knuckles were white as his hands balled into fists on the table, muscles tense and straining. His eyes, dark with pain, fury, and something else, never left her face. They were burning through her.
And when she met them—really met them—they turned lethal.
She quickly dropped her gaze and turned back to Theo, forcing herself to smile and speak to him. But from Adrian’s view, it looked like she and Theo were locked in an intimate moment, whispering and smiling like a couple deeply in love.
Adrian’s heart thudded wildly in his chest, and his hands shook on the table. Every inch of him screamed to get up, storm over there, flip the table, and drag her out of there. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t .
She made him promise not to tell anyone about them. Not yet.
And the fear of losing her again, of watching her walk out of his life for good, was the only reason he stayed in place.
His hand tightened around the table knife until it dug into his skin. The blade sliced through his palm, and blood quickly seeped out, but he didn’t stop. Didn’t move. Didn’t even flinch.
‘If I hadn’t made that goddamn mistake of letting you walk away, I’d be the one sitting next to you right now. You’d be looking at me with those eyes. Not him.’ Adrian’s chest was burning.
Adrian’s chest burned with that thought, twisting with helplessness, his heart a furnace of rage. His grip on the knife tightened even more, his face contorting with fury.
Suddenly, a few waiters approached Sienna and Theo, carrying a large cake and decorative candles. The soft yellow glow lit up the table as they set it down.
Sienna blinked in surprise.
The cake was huge, layered with white chocolate and twinkling lights. She turned to Theo, confused. “Did you get this for me? When did you even have time to plan this?”
Theo looked just as surprised, shaking his head. "I didn’t do it. I don’t know."
One of the waiters smiled. “Happy New Year, Miss Donovan. This is a special gift from our hotel. Since you’re one of our regular guests, we prepared this for you.”
Sienna smiled, her brows knitting slightly. She wasn’t exactly a regular here. She’d only been a few times.
Still, she nodded politely. “Thank you. It’s Mrs. Montgomery now.”
The waiters simply nodded and walked away, leaving them with the cake.
Theo picked up the knife and handed it to her. She cut the cake while he sang "Happy New Year" softly beside her.
As she sliced into the thick layer of cream, something shiny peeked through—hidden behind the cake, wrapped in a white, glossy package.
She picked up the small parcel and carefully opened it. Inside was a little velvet box. As she flipped it open, a soft blue light glowed from within, illuminating a ring nestled inside.
Her lips parted slightly in awe.
It was an emerald ring, deep green and brilliant, set in a delicate mix of silver and gold, with an elegant design that stole her breath.
Her gaze drifted to Adrian without meaning to, just as a memory flashed through her mind.
Four years ago, back when they were still together, she’d seen this exact ring in a magazine. The moment she spotted it, she had lit up like a child.
“Adrian, look at this ring!” she had said, beaming. “I love emeralds. I love this ring. It’s the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen.”
She had eagerly moved closer to show it to him, eyes gleaming with excitement.
But he was buried in work, eyes on his laptop, barely acknowledging her. Without even glancing up, he pulled out his black card and tossed it to her.
“Here. Get whatever you want,” he mumbled, already getting up to leave.
Flustered, she had rushed after him, saying, “But Adrian, it doesn’t have to be this ring—or any jewelry at all. Really! I just want something from you . That’s all that matters…”
But he didn’t stop.
He walked out of the room without once looking back, her voice trailing off behind him like an echo, unheard.
“…you don’t even have the patience to listen to me,” she whispered then, watching his back disappear.
Now, years later, here it was— that ring.
“Wow, that’s your New Year’s gift?” Theo said, startled as he eyed the ring. “I might have to start coming here more often. What kind of restaurant gives out gifts like this ? Did you even eat enough to match this price tag?”
Sienna gave a distracted little laugh. “I don’t know... but I really love this ring. It’s beautiful.”
A passing waiter approached, and Theo flagged him down.
“Tell whoever arranged this for Sienna, the cake and the ring, that we loved it. Thank you.”
The waiter smiled. “Of course, sir,” and walked away.
Theo gently took the box from her hands, pulling the ring out and sliding it onto her finger.
He held her hand for a moment, staring at it closely. “Perfect fit,” he said, then looked into her eyes with a playful smile. “Looks like this ring was made just for you. Look at your hand. It looks beautiful.”
Sienna grinned happily, her fingers wiggling in his hand.
Adrian’s gaze never left her.
He sat in silence, his eyes burning as he watched her laugh, so bright, so carefree, with someone else. Her smile used to belong to him. Now she didn’t even glance his way.
She had completely forgotten.
“She doesn’t even remember telling me about that ring,” Adrian muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening. His hand clenched into a fist on the table, a scoff leaving his lips. “Why would she? I’m not in her heart anymore. Those memories mean nothing to her now.”
The way Sienna looked at Theo, and the way Theo looked at her—it was clear. They were close. Very close. That radiant smile on her face, he hadn’t seen it directed at him in years.
He dropped the bloodstained knife on the table with a loud clatter and pushed back his chair. He pushed his chair back, his muscles taut with fury, and stormed out of the restaurant.
Sienna didn’t even notice when he left.
It was only much later, during dinner, that she glanced around and realized he was gone. By then, Rosie had already arrived, and Sienna felt a strange sense of relief that Adrian wasn’t there anymore.
A few hours later, her phone rang.
Seeing an unknown caller ID, she answered, bringing it to her ear.
“Hello? Is this Sienna?” a man’s voice questioned from the other end.
“Yes?”
“I’m calling from the Blue Orchid bar. Mr. Vaughn is here, and he’s heavily drunk. He kept calling your name again and again, so I checked his phone and found your number. Could you come pick him up?”
There was a pause.
Then the line went dead.