He Proposed… Three Years Too Late

I reached the hotel entrance, about to call my family for a ride, when I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

"Alexa!"

Grayson came rushing out, Tanya trailing after him, her face pale and drawn.

"What exactly are you trying to do?" I frowned.

"You've gone too far today," Grayson snapped, taking the offensive. "Again and again, you've rejected me. I know you're angry, but if you keep this up, I'll start taking it seriously."

I rolled my eyes, took a deep breath, and said firmly, "I am serious. Grayson, I'm not accepting your proposal. I stopped loving you three years ago. Besides, I'm already married."

Unexpectedly, Grayson let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You don't have to play the married act in front of me. I'm really getting angry."

"Yes, Alexa," Tanya chimed in, moving closer. "Everyone knows you love Grayson. How could you possibly marry someone else? Grayson loves you too. So, I'm willing to let you two be…"

She said this while putting on the same tearful, pitiful expression she always did.

Grayson opened his mouth, muttering, "Impossible… how could you be married? You're wearing the red dress I love most, wearing the perfume I adore—it's obvious you knew I would propose today."

For some reason, trying to reason with them felt utterly futile.

"I am married," I said evenly. "Grayson, we ended things three years ago. Stop harassing me—if anyone sees this, it'll reflect badly.

"My husband loves me. We're happy. And as for the red dress and perfume? Sorry, I don't even remember what you like anymore."

Tanya interrupted, her voice cracking, "Alexa, why do you keep lying to us and hurting Grayson? If you have a husband, why did you come back alone today?"

Grayson's eyes lit up instantly. He looked at me with a spark of hope, as if believing I must still be madly in love with him.

Back then, Grayson and I were childhood sweethearts, our families well-matched. Being together had seemed natural. I, a pampered heiress, had once been willing to cook and tend to him.

Even after his so-called "sister" Tanya appeared, I forgave him over and over, defending him in front of both families.

And what did he give me in return? Repeated betrayals.

He said he only saw Tanya as a sister, but what kind of brother cares for a sister in bed?

Looking back, I must have been completely blind.

But now, facing Grayson, all I felt was annoyance. Not a flicker of anything else.

"Say whatever you want," I said, walking forward without looking back, ignoring the hurt in his eyes. "Just stop bothering me. I don't want to see either of you again."

I had thought I had made it perfectly clear to Grayson: there was no longer any possibility between us.