When he reached me, he slowly opened the box, revealing a set of pigeon blood red diamond necklaces that sparkled in the dim light.
"Lila, do you like it?" he asked, his voice smooth, confident. "I bought this at an auction in Italy. Only you, Lila, can match such a beautiful diamond."
He reached forward and gently draped the necklace around my neck.
Snowflakes began to fall, delicate and slow, landing on our heads as if the world was frozen in time.
He wrapped me in his arms, his face filled with an apologetic softness. "Lila, do you like it? I’ve been so busy with work lately, and I’ve neglected you. I’m sorry."
"If we can stand in the snow together in the future, growing old side by side... I’ll love you forever, Lila. In this life, and the next."
His words should have been comforting, but they felt hollow in my chest.
I took a deep breath, the faint scent of his perfume overwhelming me, and I glanced around.
The crowd around us had gathered, whispering in awe.
"Ahhh, you are so lucky."
"That pigeon blood diamond necklace? It’s worth 600 million! How rich—God, please send me someone like that, I don’t care if he’s old or ugly..."