Dalton was about to say something when Vesta''s phone rang. She excused herself to Dalton and answered the call.


    "Hello?"


    It was Leah, her voice electric with excitement. "Vesta! We just heard that Thorne spent an absolute fortune on a diamond a few days ago! Over four hundred million! Do you think... do you think he''s going to propose to you tonight at your birthday dinner?!"


    Vesta froze, her heart skipping a beat.


    Dalton noticed her sudden change in expression. "Is everything alright? Did something happen?" he asked.


    "No, it''s nothing," Vesta replied, her heart still hammering from Leah''s words. "When... when did this happen? How did you find out?"


    "Grandma and I just heard. Someone who was there when Thorne bought it told us," Leah said, still buzzing. "A four-hundred-million-dor diamond! A gem like that is practically priceless! Vesta, he spent that much to propose to you! He must really love you!"


    Before Vesta could respond, Maureen, who had just gotten the news herself, chimed in from the background. "Leah, why did you tell her? You''ve ruined the surprise!"


    Leah suddenly sounded regretful. "Oh, I''m sorry, Vesta! I... I was just so excited, I didn''t think "


    "It''s fine," Maureen cut in. "I was just teasing. And I''m sure Vesta doesn''t mind."


    What was done was done. Maureen


    to scold Leah too


    hadn''t meant t


    l.ne


    harshly. In her opinion, a gesture this grand a proposal on Vesta''s birthday with such an extravagant gift was so thoughtful that knowing about it in advance wouldn''t


    diminish the joy If anything, it would fill Vesta with delightful anticipation for the evening toe.


    "Is that true, Vesta?" Leah asked hopefully.


    "Yes," Vesta confirmed. "I really don''t mind."


    If Thorne had proposed unexpectedly, she would have been utterly shocked and overjoyed, probably to the point of being


    he would propose tonight. l


    speechless. She had never imagined Not when


    he Wad been so focused on Charlene recently, especially after hertest triumph in the Al field. But then again, even with his renewed


    interest, Thorne had been adamant


    about finalizing the divorce. In that


    light, a proposal now seemed like the next logical step.


    So, while Leah had spoiled the element of surprise, it did nothing to dampen her overwhelming happiness and excitement.


    The Hawkins and Spencer families


    were just as thrilled. They hadn''t expected Thorne to propose so


    soon, considering he wasn''t officially divorced yet. But the divorce would be final in a little over two weeks,


    and he


    and Vesta had waited f?r


    vesta


    ayad each other for so long. A proposal on her birthday, even if a little premature, felt perfectly right.