Brandon Stevens' Pauper Princess | Book I |

Chapter 37

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Hannah's POV

When I stepped into the kitchen everyone were huddled as they ate breakfast. Jeremy had pulled a seat for me by the counter beside James. Jenny and Brandon sat across us. I tried to be casual as I could, filling my plate with eggs and bacon. James refused to engage in our conversation, still brooding.

"Coffee?" Jenny asked. I nodded and continued to avoid meeting Brandon's gaze. Jenny poured me a cup of black coffee from the pot. When I reached out to accept it, she gave a surprised gasp, the pot she was holding suspended in mid-air. She was staring at my finger where I wore James' engagement ring.

Gina's attention was caught and she too clamped a hand against her mouth, her eyes dilated I didn't know whether from joy or disappointment.

"You're engaged?" Brandon said in hard tone, his jaw flexed in suppressed anger.

"Yeah, I think so," I breathed, finally I met his eyes, and there I saw a glint of jealousy and hatred.

James didn't look surprised from my answer, he knew too well the real deal between us. But I must give him a chance. Besides, I must cut ties with Brandon, we had different lives now, and establishing an affair with him was a sin.

"It's better that we head back to New York now, we'll be planning the wedding." I said, meant to hurt him further. Although I doubted if he was in pain now. He had a beautiful wife beside him who's fingers came to touch his arm in the most gentle way. I tore my eyes away from the sight of Jenny's fingers around his waist and steeled myself.

"I thought the proposal will be by the end of the week, we're suppose to stay longer," Jeremy intoned, his eyes searching Brandon's.

"Are you serious?!" Brandon questioned spitefully. He was mad because he couldn't have his way anymore. He was used to getting his way with everything. And he said I was his. He couldn't just let anyone bruise his pride that's why he's acting like this. I persuaded myself to believe that.

"Do you think she's not sure about our engagement?" James scowled at Brandon. I put a hand over his shoulder, a message of plea not to lose his temper. James had always been kind, but this time he seemed very upset about our earlier argument.

"Why don't you ask her? In front of us. Go ahead ask her again if she wanted to marry you!" Brandon challenged. I didn't know why he was doing this. Acting like a jealous guy in front of his wife!

"Stop taunting him Brandon!" I stood up.

"Let him." James expression was dark.

God, this wasn't happening. He left his seat, stood in front of me and looked into my eyes. No. You can't. What was I supposed to say? I couldn't turn him down in front of everyone, in front of Brandon.

But during my melancholic days, he was there. He loved me. Brandon never did. James stayed with me. Brandon left me. If I said yes, would I be happy? Maybe. If a man loved his woman, I was quite sure the woman could learn to love him back.

James held my hands with his. I met his gaze and suddenly my eyes started to water. I felt sorry for him that for all these months I never gave him any importance. I was too calm because I knew he loved me, but I though it's about time to give back now.

"I love you with all my heart Hannah. When I first saw you my world stopped, everything disappeared in my vision and there's only you, you're sad eyes were the ones that I fell for, because I knew just by looking that when you give love, you give your all, you leave nothing for yourself and continue to be faithful. I wish to be that man you'll cherish for ever and in exchange I promise to devote you with my life, heart, and soul."