99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 170

CLAIRE POV

Before I could form a response, Liyah and Ethan, who were seated beside me, exchanged a look of shared horror.

Ethan cleared his throat and made a show of checking his wristwatch. “Claire, Liyah, I have just remembered some urgent business back at the hotel. I will take my leave now. You two should stay and enjoy the evening.”

Before he had even finished his sentence, he was already on his feet and striding away without a backward glance.

Watching Ethan walk away rather than stay for support only confirmed that there was nothing romantic. I would never choose a man who abandoned me during an uncomfortable situation. Ethan may not see it, but we were nothing but friends. We’d never be anything more.

Liyah blinked pointedly at me before picking up her glass of orange juice. She took a few delicate sips while staring intently at the terrace’s nightscape as if the dark sky held some marvellous view.

The terrace fell into a dead silence, the air itself seeming to freeze solid.

My gaze remained locked onto Liam’s face.

The man standing before me had completely lost his grip on reality when it came to reclaiming. That warped certainty of his, coming from who-knows-where, told me that the words I was about to speak would need to be brutal. Liam has officially left me no other choice.

Love that came too late was worthless.

As I carefully weighed my words to ensure that my rejection was absolute, Liam mistook my silence for hesitation.

“Claire, I can see that you are finally giving in. You know what is right, and that is returning to your true mate.”

With a dramatic flourish, he produced the massive diamond ring and dropped to one knee with a heavy thud. “Claire! I am making this proposal with all my heart!”

He cradled the diamond ring with trembling hands, his burning gaze locked onto mine. “Let me make you my bride, my mate, my Luna with all the splendour you deserve! Just say yes, and I will give you whatever ceremonies you dream of. I will commission a top couturier to create your dream ceremony gown! Please, Claire, say yes!”

It felt as if in this moment, he saw himself as a valiant knight storming the gates of love’s fortress. It was ridiculous.

I gave only a cursory glance at the impressively flawless diamond.

It was true that this attempt was unlike his previous half-hearted ones; he had clearly spared no expense. But my heart had already sailed to distant shores.

To me, even the grandest ring was now just a cold, lifeless stone.

“And what if I say no?” My lips formed a thin line as I spoke with glacial composure.

“Is this setting not grand enough? Fine, reject me tonight, and I will keep proposing! I will ask again and again until you are satisfied!”

“Liam, my refusal has nothing to do with the location it is done at.”

Undeterred, he doubled down with increasing desperation. “Then why? Is the ring too small? Not enough spectators? Next time, I will invite all your friends to watch-”

I massaged my throbbing temples, fighting back the irritation bubbling inside me.

I turned to Liyah, my voice firm. “Liyah, let us go!”

With all joy drained from the evening, I grabbed Liyah’s hand and turned away decisively.

“Claire! Wait, please, just listen…” Liam stumbled after us, reaching out repeatedly, only for me to snatch my arm away without even looking back.

“Wait,” Liyah suddenly shouted before we hit the exit.

My brows furrowed as I watched her rush over to the manager; they spoke low and made a few gestures to the terrace where Liam still stood, looking broken and dejected.

He slumped down hard on one of the chairs and took the still full bottle of beer that Ethan ordered, but never got to finishing before he rushed away.

I watched the manager walk over to Liam as he drank the beer.

“What’s going on?” I asked Liam, confused, when she returned smiling like that cat that stole the canary.

Liyah looped her arm through mine, pulling me out the door.

“Well, as you know, Lucien booked the rooftop for us. Well, since Liam ruined our outing, I thought it was only right that he now covers the bill for it all instead of Lucien.”

The devious smile on Liyah took me back a bit, right before we both broke out in full laughter as we walked away. Neither of us cares to look back.