Joanne looked up at him, tears streaking down her cheeks. "What do you mean? I just… I just told you…"
Liam's gaze bore into her, unreadable yet piercing. "Think, Jo."
She hesitated, his intensity making her uncomfortable. But as she searched for an answer, she found herself sinking into old memories. "I… I wasn't interested in marriage back then. I didn't want to stay here for the rest of my life, and…" She hesitated before admitting, "I regret not taking that ring now."
Liam's fists clenched at the word regret. He looked away, jaw tight.
Joanne closed her eyes, letting herself slip back to that night. The night she made the worst mistake of her life.
It had been perfect. A fancy dinner at a restaurant she would have never imagined Liam taking her to. He had just opened his garage, hired his first two employees, and built a steady customer base. He was finally standing on his own feet. And yet, he still splurged on her.
