Chapter 26 #2
“Tell me what speaks to you. And what doesn’t.”
There’s a vintage Art Deco piece with filigree, a modern solitaire with a knife-edge band, a marquise cut with side stones, and a pear-shaped diamond fit for royalty.
I reach for a cushion-cut diamond in platinum. “This one’s beautiful. But maybe a little…too…” I search for the right word. “Perfect?”
“Too cold.” Théo nods. “You need something with soul.”
I slide on a round brilliant stone set in a slim band. It sparkles madly—but it’s not me.
Dorian shakes his head. “She needs something timeless.”
Brennan joins us. “Strong, elegant. A little unexpected.”
I continue to look, and my gaze lands on something unexpected—a square-cut diamond nestled in a rose-gold setting. It’s not as loud as the others, but there’s a warmth to it. A softness that draws me in.
“What about this one?” I ask.
Théo leans in. “Beautiful. And classic. But not quite…singular.”
Brennan joins me, eyes narrowed slightly. “She needs something that pushes boundaries, not something that plays by them. ”
“Agreed,” Dorian says. His voice is firm. “Something rarer. Something that turns heads.”
Théo nods thoughtfully and brings out a small tray of loose stones, each nestled in its own velvet pocket. “Let’s see if the right diamond finds you.”
I lean over the tray, taking in the beautiful array—pear, oval, emerald, square.
Then, almost hidden in a corner, I catch a glimmer of soft rose. Gasping, I reach for it, hesitating. “May I?”
When Théo nods, I lift it gently between two fingers. It’s an oval-cut pink diamond. And it’s stunning beyond words.
“Is that pink?” Dorian asks, brows drawing together.
“It is,” Théo replies. “Natural. Exceptionally rare.”
Dorian’s scowl deepens. “I want my wife to have the finest diamond you have.”
“Then this is it,” Théo says. “The one.”
“As valuable as D-color flawless?” Dorian asks.
“More,” Théo assures him.
I blink, startled. I figured it would be expensive. But I had no idea it would cost more than a flawless diamond. “Wait…” I shake my head. “Let me pick something else.”
Instantly Dorian counters with, “It’s the one you were drawn to.”
“Not true.” My voice lacks conviction. “I can love anything from this store.”
“Little one… Allow me?—”
Brennan clears his throat.
“Us,” Dorian corrects, glancing at Brennan. “Allow us to give this to you.”
I shake my head again. “It’s far too extravagant.” I’m a teacher, after all. And a student. Not someone who would really wear a stone like this.
“It’s my pleasure to give you beautiful things.” Dorian brushes a knuckle along my jaw .
“May I examine it?” Brennan asks.
“Of course.” Théo gestures to his assistant.
Brennan accepts a pair of tweezers and takes the stone from me.
Moments later, Théo hands him a small jeweler’s loupe—an elegant silver one with a monogram etched into the side.
Brennan brings it close to his eye and tilts the diamond under the light, holding it delicately between precision tweezers over a square of dark velvet.
He turns it slowly, examining every facet, every angle.
The moment stretches, silent and reverent. Then he nods at Dorian. “It’s perfect.”
“Wait!” I protest. But no one seems to be listening to me. “It’s too?—”
Dorian cuts me off with a kiss. Deep. Claiming. A promise pressed into my mouth. I gasp softly against him, my knees weak. Under his relentless onslaught, my resistance vanishes.
Finally, when I’m breathless, he pulls back. “The diamond is yours. No more arguing.” Then he feathers my hair back over my ear and leans forward to threaten me with a soft whisper, “Unless you want me to turn you over my lap right here.”
I blink. There’s no way he’s serious.
“And right now.”
His expression is so intense that I can’t look away. “I…” Don’t know what to say.
Théo’s eyes gleam. “The gem always knows.”
Once again, I’ve stepped into a world so surreal that I’m left reeling.
While I’m still in my daze, Théo gestures to his assistant, who brings over a pencil and paper. On top of one of the display cabinets, he begins to sketch on a piece of vellum.
Théo draws a smooth platinum band to hold the gorgeous diamond. Then he adds another two slender bands— each sloping upward on either side, lined with pavé diamonds to frame the stone.
“Set in platinum,” he explains. “It brings out the pink, holds the shape, anchors the brilliance. Framed with pavé diamonds for strength and sparkle. The center band remains plain, sleek for strength, while the two pavé bands add sparkle and fire.”
When he glances at me for approval, I smile, unable to hold in my excitement, even though I didn’t need or want a ring.
But what he has created is exquisite. Beyond anything I ever imagined.
“You have a total of three bands. Not just for fashion, but for significance. The ring represents all of you. The center band is the promise itself, and the two outer bands stand as its guardians—together, a trinity of devotion, strength, and endurance.”
He looks at Dorian and Brennan in turn. “And as you both requested, timeless. Strong. A little unexpected.”
My two men exchange glances.
“Yes.” Brennan nods.
Meanwhile, the assistant asks me to hold out my hand. A little puzzled, I do as she asks, and she takes a picture of it.
When Théo finally steps back, the woman scans the design and transfers it to a tablet.
Within moments, a 3D rendering shimmers to life and rotates slowly.
Then Théo taps the screen, and the image of my ring appears on my hand. The pink diamond glows like a secret kissed by sunlight, the twin bands a cradle of fire and promise, curves catching the light like a whispered vow.
“This,” Théo says, “is a declaration of your relationship.”
I swallow hard, looking between Dorian and Brennan. Then my eyes start to burn. Damn them .
The image is stunning…as if the stone was here, waiting for this moment.
Théo is right. All of us have had a hand in the design. It’s metal and fire and…us.
Dorian and Théo move to one side, probably to take care of the finances. At that idea, I feel a little stab of guilt.
“How long will it take?” I overhear Dorian ask.
“Three to four weeks, depending on how quickly I can source the pavé diamonds. Each stone must match perfectly. The platinum must be hand-poured and shaped. I will not take shortcuts.”
“Understood.”
Brennan moves me back to the small sitting area where a fresh cup of café au lait is waiting. How had I not even noticed that happening?
But from across the room, my stone winks, and I know that I was totally caught up in the moment. “I feel guilty about the price.”
“Don’t. This matters to Dorian.” He lifts a shoulder. “And me. You would have left this place with something bigger than you were comfortable with.”
I glance at my wedding band. “I honestly don’t need anything. This tells the world we’re married.”
“Agreed.” A hint of a smile toys with his mouth. “But it doesn’t make a statement.”
There’s no doubt the pink diamond accented by the two bands of pave diamonds will do exactly that.
Though I’d never admit it aloud, the rendering was everything I could have dreamed of from my very own Prince Charming.
I glance over at Dorian.
The man is no Prince Charming and this relationship has nothing to do with love .
When the transaction is complete, Dorian rejoins me. “Now it’s time to celebrate.”
I blink. “Celebrate?”
“You didn’t think the day was done.” He raises a brow. “Did you?”
He sweeps his gaze over me with such heat that goose bumps chase up my arms, and my nipples harden.
His intent is clear.
But I have no idea what he has in store for me…