Finnigan had recently purchased Brielle's engagement ring. Despite her strong objections to the arranged marriage, her parents had advised Finnigan to be patient with her. They reassured him that she would eventually come around. Finnigan was uncertain about the future but was determined to do everything he could to make Brielle happy. Their engagement was scheduled for the following day at her house. Brielle hadn't been answering her phone despite his attempts to reach her. Finnigan suspected she was still upset about the marriage situation but was resolute in his commitment.

Finnigan meticulously prepared to visit Brielle at home as the sun set on a warm summer evening. Not long ago, his parents visited her. With anticipation, he retrieved the delicate blue velvet box from its hiding spot and gingerly opened it. He vividly remembered the photograph Brielle had posted on Facebook, showcasing the engagement ring she had admired for so long. The thought of her dream ring brought a warm smile to his face. Finnigan was determined to win her heart, armed with his deep knowledge of her preferences. After carefully securing the small box in his pocket, he left his room, eager and prepared to go to her place.

As he arrived at the venue, he noticed many guests had gathered. He glanced at his watch and breathed a sigh of relief when he realized it wasn't 8:30 pm. After parking his car, he felt his heart quicken with anticipation and nerves. As he made his way to the entrance, he saw his parents and her parents warmly welcoming the guests. "Here comes our hero," his father exclaimed joyfully. Finnigan respectfully nodded and greeted both parents before entering, his eyes searching for Brielle.

Brielle stood near the tall, ornate window, gazing at the sprawling grounds of her family's estate. As the guests arrived for her engagement day, she was deeply reluctant to engage with them. She longed to escape the formalities, but her respect for her parents held her in place. The weight of her family's esteemed reputation and Finnigan's family's standing added to her sense of obligation. Across the room, Finnigan watched her with a mix of concern and indecision. He, too, felt the weight of their families' expectations bearing down on him. As he observed the sadness in Brielle's eyes, he questioned the wisdom of their arranged marriage. His heart ached at the thought of her unhappiness, yet the constraints of tradition left him feeling powerless.

Finnigan was lost in thought when he suddenly jolted in surprise as Brielle's father gently patted his shoulder. "Why are you standing here? Why not talk to her?" he suggested, and Finnigan responded with a warm smile. "Let her take her time," he said, exchanging smiles with her father. Her dad patted his shoulder again and grinned. " Brielle! Come over here. We're about to begin." Brielle snapped out of her reverie when she heard her father's voice. She turned to see him and was surprised to find Finnigan looking dashing in his tuxedo. "You don't love him," a voice inside her head challenged her initial impression of Finnigan. As she walked over to them, Finnigan greeted her, "Hello, Brielle." Without responding to his greeting, she headed towards her mother. Finnigan offered her father a faint smile, and her father could sense that his daughter's aloofness had affected Steve. "Let's go," her father said to Finnigan, walking with him to join the others.

As the evening began, there was an air of excitement and gratitude as her father took the stage to make a special announcement. "Tonight, I am overjoyed to share the wonderful news of my daughter's engagement to the extraordinary Finnigan," he said, beaming with pride. "James and I are honoured to see our bond grow into something truly precious." The room filled with applause as the guests celebrated the moment.

"Finn, thank you for embracing our daughter," her father continued. "I know she can be headstrong at times, but she has a heart of gold." Finnigan nodded in response. His eyes met Brielle's, and he sensed the underlying tension in her demeanour. He longed to comfort her, yet he wondered if she would allow him to bridge their emotional distance.

The crowd cheered as Finnigan and Brielle stood before the gathering, exchanging their rings. Encouraged by the onlookers, they were asked to share a kiss. While Finnigan was aware that Brielle wouldn't comply, he tenderly held her face in his hand and kissed her forehead deeply. His unexpected display of affection left her pleasantly surprised, and she could not resist. Strangely, his kiss on her forehead seemed to ease the ache in her heart, although she couldn't quite comprehend why. "You don't love him," she silently acknowledged, gently pulling away from him. Sensing her withdrawal, Finnigan receded and thanked the well-wishers for supporting their engagement. Brielle felt an overwhelming urge to voice her inner turmoil to the crowd, longing for them to understand her genuine emotions.

After most guests departed, Finnigan scanned the room for Brielle, eager to speak with her. He inquired with her parents about her whereabouts, but they were clueless. As he ventured into the garden, he spotted her standing alone. Approaching her cautiously, he softly uttered, "Hey..." Her response was icy as she turned slightly before gazing back at the garden. When he inquired about the possibility of a conversation, she replied brusquely, "What else is there to talk about?" Standing beside her, he broached the topic of "us," to which she retorted, "Us? There is no 'us.'" She insisted that their marriage was forced upon her and that she had no desire to be a part of it. Despite his request for her to at least pretend everything was okay in front of their parents, she made it clear that she would not be complying. She then reminded him of the inappropriateness of his actions, warning him never to touch her without consent before striding away. As he watched her leave, he couldn't help but feel the pain of the hatred in her eyes.