Chapter 43

I walked over, gently took her arm, and helped her down. ‘Aunt Louisa, I came today because… It’s about the engagement.’ Her face didn’t change much, but I watched it like a hawk anyway, ready to call an ambulance if her blood pressure spiked again. Louisa sighed. ‘Just say what you need to say. Don’t worry, I won’t overreact this time.’ We sat. I slid the box across the coffee table. ‘This is the brooch you gave me back then. Now that Rhys and I are no longer engaged, it doesn’t feel right for me to keep it. I’d also like the gold ring my parents gave your family returned. Let’s just make a clean break.’ Louisa ran her fingers over the brooch. Next to her, Willow sat like she’d been sculpted from pure snobbery—chin up, shoulders back, eyes full of suspicion. She still didn’t buy it. She thought I was playing some long con. Maybe forcing a breakup to win Rhys back. Louisa grabbed my hand. ‘Are you absolutely sure about this? Rhys isn’t perfect, I know. But once you break off the engage