CHAPTER 105: THE MOMENT HIS WORLD STOPPED

"Happy birthday, Rome!"

Rome forced a smile at one of the company directors who greeted him.

The day of his and Daniel’s birthday had finally come. But unlike the excitement he once felt counting down to this day, he now only wished it would end quickly.

This was supposed to be the day he would propose to Sylvia, the day he had imagined kneeling before her, offering his love and a future together. Instead, that dream had crumbled before his eyes, replaced by the cold reality forced on him.

It had become the very day he despised most. Because instead of Sylvia standing by his side as his fiancée, it would be Ingrid.

Every time he thought about how his plan to marry Sylvia had turned out so differently, it felt like the world was mocking him on what should have been the most special day of his life.

Rome clinked glasses with another guest, his lips curling into a practiced smile. But inside, he felt hollow.

Every time someone said, "Congratulations, and happy birthday," his stomach twisted tighter.

Across the venue, he caught Daniel smirking at him, as if he knew exactly what was happening. His jaw tensed, his hand gripping the glass until it nearly cracked.

Then his mother’s voice rang out gently, addressing the crowd.

"Tonight, not only do we celebrate my twin sons’ birthday... but we also happily announce a union that will strengthen our family ties for the future."

His heart sank.

Why does his mom sound so happy at this moment?

Tch... why do he keep on doubting her?

"I know some of you might already know about this, but I still want to announce it today... my son’s engagement to the Monteverde family’s only daughter."

He didn’t even need to hear the next name, he already knew what she would say next.

"Ingrid Monteverde!"

As everyone turned to applaud, his eyes instinctively scanned the crowd for Sylvia.

Even though he hadn’t invited her, he wanted to make sure she wasn’t there. He didn’t want her to hear the congratulatory messages about his engagement to Ingrid.

But then he froze. From a corner of the crowd, a familiar gaze met his. In those eyes, he saw pain, pain that mirrored his own.

It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. His heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, he was rooted to the spot.

He wanted to take a step forward, to reach her and explain everything but a few guests stepped between them, blocking his path.

"Rome, congratulations on your engagement with Ingrid Monteverde! I know you two will make a perfect couple!" one of the guests exclaimed warmly.

"They’re just too perfect for each other! It’s no surprise they ended up together!"

"Haha, we should’ve expected this already. No one suits a Hariston except a family of equal influence like the Monteverdes!" Ingrid’s father added proudly.

"Yes, yes, it is truly a union of power and prestige," an older lady from his mom’s circle of friends remarked. "The Haristons and the Monteverdes, who could possibly rival that?"

The group of guests then burst into cheerful laughter.

Damn it...

"Hello, everyone! Are you enjoying the evening?" Ingrid’s voice rang out sweetly as she reached him, looping her arm around his. "I’m Ingrid Monteverde, Rome’s fiancée."

He tried to pull away, but Ingrid only smirked, pressing herself even closer to him like a leech unwilling to let go.

"Oh, what a beautiful young lady indeed!" Alfonso’s mom, who had been personally invited by his parents, said with admiration. "You and Rome Hariston are such a perfect pair, no other couple could compare!"

Rome’s eyes swept over the crowd. Practically all of his parents’ closest friends were here. And yet, standing among them all, he couldn’t feel a shred of joy.

Not when he knew this engagement party was nothing more than a façade built on lies to strengthen their families’ connection.

"Haha, you flatter me too much, Auntie," Ingrid replied, flashing a grin that didn’t even reach her eyes.

"I’m not that beautiful compared to Rome’s ex girlfriend... right, honey?"

The guests fell silent. A few even raised their brows in surprise, whispering to one another about the hidden meaning beneath Ingrid’s playful tone.

His parents’ friends even exchanged curious looks, while others shifted uncomfortably.

Rome glared at Ingrid. Does she really have to bring Sylvia up here, in front of everyone?

"Haha, what are you saying, my daughter, Ingrid?" Ingrid’s father interjected. "No one here is more beautiful than you. You and Rome are perfect for each other, and I believe the past is past. You are his present now, and his soon-to-be wife. Isn’t that right, Rome?"

Rome clenched his jaw so tightly his teeth ached. He forced himself to nod and curl his lips into a faint smile, though it looked more like a grimace.

"There, you see, Ingrid?" Ingrid’s father continued, deliberately raising his voice so that all the surrounding guests could hear him. "Rome is completely head over heels for you. He wouldn’t dare say his ex is more beautiful than you, not when it’s you he begged for and chose to marry."

The crowd chuckled approvingly, some nodding as if what had just been said was the most reasonable truth.

Ingrid lifted her hand to her lips in mock surprise, her eyes glistening as though she were genuinely touched by the remark.

"Oh, honey, I’m so sorry for doubting you," she cooed sweetly, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I just can’t help it... maybe it’s natural for me to feel insecure, especially with your ex here tonight. Seeing her makes me feel uneasy, that’s all."

Behind her sweet voice was the satisfied grin tugging at her lips. She was enjoying every second of this, watching him swallow his anger and stand still while she painted herself as the pitiful but loyal fiancée.

Rome could feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on him, as if waiting for him to comfort Ingrid, to play along, to act like the perfect partner they all believed him to be.

"Ingrid..." he managed through clenched teeth, his tone calm but his eyes burning as he looked at her.

"You don’t have to doubt me."

Ingrid’s grin widened. She pressed closer, her voice soft yet deliberately aimed at satisfying the guests.

"I know, darling. That’s what I love about you. You always reassure me that I’m the only one for you."

The surrounding guests clapped lightly, some even sighing at what they thought was a touching exchange between lovers.

But Rome felt suffocated, as if invisible chains were tightening around his throat.

In the corner of his eye, he thought just for a fleeting second that he saw Sylvia watching them.

*********

"Where are you going, Rome?"

Ingrid’s voice trailed after him as she quickly matched his steps.

He had just broken away from the guests who refused to leave him alone. And now, Ingrid was right behind him, clinging to him like a shadow.

His annoyance only grew. She wouldn’t let him breathe, wouldn’t give him even a moment of peace, while his eyes had been restlessly scanning the crowd since earlier, desperate to find Sylvia.

"Are you perhaps looking for your girlfriend?" Ingrid asked mockingly.

She stepped in front of him, blocking his path with a sly smile. "I mean... your cheating ex-girlfriend now?"

He froze mid-step. His jaw tightened as the memory of Ingrid cornering him in front of the guests flashed back, forcing him to play along with her little drama. She really did enjoy putting him on the spot just to keep all eyes on herself.

"We never broke up. She’s still my girlfriend." He said coldly.

He moved to push past her, but Ingrid only let out a mocking laugh.

"Oh, Rome," she said, shaking her head with a taunting smile. "Do you even hear yourself? You’re standing here at our engagement party while your so-called girlfriend is sulking in some corner, watching everything. Do you honestly think anyone will believe the fantasy you’re clinging to that you can keep her by your side while marrying me?"

Her smirk deepened as she leaned closer, lowering her voice so only he could hear.

"No matter how much you deny it... the world already sees you as mine. And there’s nothing you can do about it but accept it."

His chest tightened, fury clawing at his restraint. He wanted to shout, to wipe that smug grin off her face, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Losing control now would only hand Ingrid exactly what she wanted.

"Shut up, Ingrid..."

Instead of wasting his energy on her, he brushed past without another glance.

He didn’t care if she followed, the only thing that mattered now was finding Sylvia.

She must be devastated after witnessing the announcement of his engagement to Ingrid.

He strode out of the venue with urgency, but the moment he stepped outside, his feet froze.

There she was.

Not at all how he expected. He thought he’d find Sylvia weeping in some corner, broken and crying her heart out. Instead, the sight before him knocked the air out of his lungs.

From a distance, he could clearly see her wrapped tightly around a familiar figure.

A man who looked exactly like him. A man who could only be Daniel.

In that instant, his world seemed to stop. Every sound fading into silence as his eyes locked on the scene before him. His fists curled at his sides, trembling as the storm inside him threatened to break free.

And then he saw it..Sylvia’s lips, inching closer to Daniel’s face.