Marrying

Chapter 67 

Julian’s expression shified from confusion to shock as he examined the diamond ring. This is fake!” : 

Valerie was 

was caught off guard by Ashley’s sharp eye. She tried to laugh it off shaking her head. “You must be joking, Ashley. Its definately real 

Ashley wasn’t about to let Valerie off the hook still remembering an earlier embarrassment involving a crab incident, she saw an opportunity to assert herself “Valerie, just stop. You might not know this, but I used to work at a jewelry store before I got married. I’ve seen more diamond rings: than I can count, and I can tell yours is a fake. Did Matthew trick you into thinking it was real? If so, that’s on him. A real gold ring costs no more than 300 dollars, so why the deception! 

As Ashley vented. Valerie’s expression grew more troubled. She cut in. “It’s not about Matthew. I bought the ring myself“. 

“You bought it” Ashley’s tone was incredulous. “Valerie, Lean’t believe you’d go to such lengths. We all know money’s tight. Why humiliate yourself with a fake ring? If you end up looking foolish, that’s on you.” 

Valerie squirmed under Ashley’s scrutiny, regretting her decision. She hadn’t bought the ring our of vanity; she was trying to deflect any doubts about her relationship with Matthew. Now, the fake ring only made things worse. 

“Valerie, why on earth would you buy a fake ring? Come clean to me? Julian looked at Valerie seriously, then at Matthew, feeling uneasy. He liked Matthew, but he didn’t know him well enough yet, and his main concern was for Valerie’s well–being. 

Why do 

Why do we even need the truth? Baying a fake ring is just plain vanity. We need to be more down–to–earth Valerie,” Ashley persisted. 

“Enough Matthew deep voice suddenly cut through the tension. He had been silent until now but felt compelled to intervene. fake ring because she was afraid of losing a real one. She wears it every day to avoid losing something more valuable.” 

“Valerie bought the 

Ashley bristled at being interrupted. She thought to herself with a scowl. Who does this guy think he is, telling me to shut up just because he’s good–looking” 

“I’ve never heard of anyone buying a fake to avoid losing the real one. Mr. Grant, even if you’re trying to cover for Valerie, there’s no need for such tall tales. If you want me to believe you, you’ll have to show me the real ring!” Ashley declared. 

grown even more complicated. After all, they didn’t have a real 

Valerie was taken aback by Matthew’s unexpected defense. Now, the situation had gn ring to present 

“Alright” Matthew said, rising from his seat and heading toward another room Moments later, he returned with the ring box that Valerie had given him before and placed it on the table. “Here’s the ring” 

Valerie moved to retrieve it quickly, bui Ashley was quicker. Seizing the opportunity to catch Valerie off guard, she grabbed the box and opened it 

Valerie’s heart sank She couldn’t understand why Matthew had decided to bring out the ring box again. ‘Did he forget that I told him the rings were fake the last time I gave them to hum she thought to herself anxiously 

Ashley, who had already doubted the authenticity of the ring earlier, now saw another chance to mock Valerie. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

But Valerie was more worried about how she would explain this to her brother than the immediate embarrassment 

What Valerar hadn’t anticipated was Ashley’s reaction upon examining the ring. After a long, hard look, Ashley mattered in disbelief. 

“Its actually