But just as her fingertips brushed the pavement, a foot shot out and kicked her down.
She hit the ground hard.
Laughter erupted.
It was one of Howard’s so-called friends.
"Hahaha! Look at her!"
"Howard, I invited her for drinks tonight, but she acted all high and mighty, pretending she was too good for us! And now? She comes crawling back, diamond rings in her hand, trying to force a marriage?"
He sneered, shaking his head.
"Didn’t expect this bootlicker to be so desperate!"
Nikki’s forehead slammed into the ground, and a blinding white light flashed in her vision. Pain shot through her skull as she slowly opened her eyes, the sound of laughter around her fading into a distant hum.
At that moment, only one thought consumed her.
Thank God... the wedding ring wasn’t lost.
She lay sprawled on the pavement, reaching out with trembling fingers, just inches away from the ring—when a pair of spotless leather shoes suddenly appeared in front of her.
Brad bent down, plucking the ring from between the bricks, and stared down at her with a smug expression.
"Nikki, what kind of pathetic show are you putting on? You scared Lora to tears."
"My ring..."