Rose sat down and chewed on the cap of her pen, wondering what she was going to write to Jack. For some reason, she felt rather shy. This was going to be her reply...her promise. Her promise that she didn't know if she could keep But she'll make it anyway. She'd promise him anything as long as it got her the man of her dreams!

Dear Jack,

I promise. Even though I am positive that such a promise is unnecessary. Why would .the universe give you to me, just to take you away? But despite my confidence, I promise...

"Rose! Cal is here to see you!" her mother voice disturbed her thoughts, causing her to wince with displeasure.

Closing her eyes, Rose let out a weary sigh. She was in no mood to deal with that man. She had been in a good mood with thoughts of Jack swimming in her head and now that was ruined! Now she'll have to deal with the headache of Cal and her soon to be disappointed mother. Oh well, it was best to get all of this over with. She wouldn't put it off any longer. The sooner that she ended things with Cal, the better. Placing her unfinished letter into her desk drawer, Rose got up from her chair and pulled off the engagement ring that circled her slender finger. She made a face, eyeing the large stone. It was such a guady thing, she was happy to be giving it back.

Cal was busy talking with her mother at the bottom of the stairs. Rose couldn't help but notice how her mother hung off of his every word. Really, why didn't her mother just marry the man herself, since she was so fond of him? Rose cleared her throat, announcing her presence.

Unaware of Rose's plans, Cal turned around with a wide, entitled smile. "Sweetpea!"

"Cal is here to ask you for a walk,Rose," Ruth's smile was wide with elation. "Isn't that an excellent surprise? And on such a lovely day!"

"I certainly wasn't expecting him," Rose replied, keeping her voice on a polite, neutral level. She did not want to be rude, but she didn't want to give the impression that she desired his company either.

Ruth simply nodded and clasped her hands together. "Well, I'll just be leaving you young people to it. I know that you don't want an old woman like me hanging about.

Cal gave her an incredulous look, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard. "An old woman? Surely you cannot be serious! You can pass for Rose's sister!"

Ruth's cheeks gave a pink glow as she laughed and waved off the compliment. "Oh you are a charmer, Mr. Hockley! You best save that charm for my daughter, it is a waste on me."

Rose wanted to roll her eyes. No, she was the one that it was a waste on. She watched her mother leave the room, wishing once again that it was the older woman engaged instead of her. It would save her a whole lot of trouble.

"Shall we?" Cal held out his hand, stepping to the side, as if he was going to bow.

Rose sighed and accepted the gesture. "Sure. Can we talk somewhere private? I have something that I want to discuss with you."

"Certainly, sweetpea. We can walk to that quaint little eatery that you like to work at," Cal laughed indulgently, as if doing this was spoiling her or as if he was giving her some great gift.

Rose resisted a tired sigh and took his hand and allowed him to lead her out of the house. She didn't bother to look back as she felt her mother's eyes on her as they left the house. Once this outing was done, there was going to be her livid mother to deal with. She couldn't wait.

They walked in silence. She knew that he was probably waiting for her to start the conversation, since she was the one that wanted a private conversation, but she didn't know how to start. How did one call off an engagement that they had never wanted in the first place?

Maybe by just doing it. Rip off the bandage. No kid gloves. Sighing, she stopped in midstride, right in middle of the sidewalk. There was no point waiting until they reached the diner. After all, this was supposed to be private. The diner would be streaming with people right about now.

"Sweet pea?" Cal frowned, coming to a stop as well, his dark gaze boring into her, wondering why she had stopped here. His frown deepened as Rose held out the expensive engagement ring that she had removed just before his arrival. He had brought it for her weeks ago, her mother had even helped him pick it out! What was the meaning of this? Did she not like it? He supposed that he could purchase her another one, but what would Ruth think?

Rose looked at the diamond that sparkled in the sun. It was big and awkwardly shaped and just...well it was too much. Just like Cal was. She was glad to be getting rid of them both. Looking the man in the eye, she held the ring out to him. "I must return this to you."

"May I ask why? Do you not like it? Your mother picked it out. She said it was just your taste..."

Rose's eyes widened at this bit of news. "My mother chose this ring? You didn't even pick it out yourself? I almost feel insulted. Men usually choose the ring themselves, not the girl's mother."

"She was just trying to help, sweetpea."

Rose sighed, any guilt she felt draining away. "And please, stop calling me that awful nickname. I hate it when you call me that."

Cal nervously chuckled. "What shall I call you, darling?"

"Miss. Dewitt Bukater for one. Don't even call me Rose."

Cal blinked, taken aback. "Pardon me?"

"We are getting off the subject, Mr. Hockley," Rose cleared her throat, deciding to use his last name as well. It was only fair. "This is not about the ring or what you are to call me. I wanted to talk to you privately, mainly without my mother present, to call off this wedding. You are handsome and...I am sure some girl out there would find you very interesting and would love to marry you...but that girl is not me. I never wanted...this...or you."

"Excuse me?" Cal blinked, his mind reeling. What did she mean she was calling off the wedding? That she did not want the engagement or him? This was absurd!

"I am sorry, but...my mother pushed this, wanting your millions. I thought...I thought that I could go through with her plans but...I just can't. I believe that marriage is for people that love one another and I just do not love you. At this point, I don't even like or respect you really, so it is for the best that I release you from this sordid, ill advised deal. This way, you can find the woman that does love and respect you. This isthe best for both of us."

"I see. And do you think that you can find a better man than me? That anyone with means will want you after this?"

Rose wanted to say that she already had found someone far better than him, but she resisted the urge. It was best to keep Jack out of this for as long as possible. "That does not matter. I have to do what's best and this is what's best. I suppose you'll agree later on down the road."

"I highly doubt that. This is not for the best, sweetpea. This is ill advised and you will regret it if you go through with it. I insist that you give this more thought. Talk it over with Ruth..."

"I will not be talking anything over with my mother! And you have no choice but to accept it!" She took his hand and firmly placed the ring in his palm. "This engagement is off! My mind is made up!"

Cal's eyes bored into her, trying to read her, but she only allowed one emotion to show on her face. Resolution. He sighed and slippd the ring into his pocket. "This is not over."

"It most definitely is, Mr. Hockley. This is good bye. I do not expect to see you again."

"You mother will hear about this!"

"I expect she will. I will handle her when the time comes. Good day."

Cal opened his mouth to say something else, but closed it again. He just gave a curt nod and turned on his heel to head back to where his car awaited him. But before he left, he had one thing left to say. "You will regret this. I will give you two days to come back to me, with an apology."

"I will not regret this and you will be waiting for nothing. But it is your time to waste..."

Cal did not answer to that, he just walked away, leaving Rose in the middle of the sidewalk, feeling relieved. Finally. It was over! Now she only had her mother to deal with.

...

Rose waited two hours before returning home. She had a feeling that Cal cried on her mother's shoulder about Rose breaking off the engagement and that there was going to be hell to pay once she got home. So she had spent some time at the diner, helping Molly and washing some dishes. Finally, Molly had sent her home, stating that she really didn't need the help and that Rose should get the confrontation with her mother over with.

When Rose finally did return home, it was exactly how she expected it. Ruth was in the foyer, waiting for her. Her mouth was a thin line of anger and her eyes...they were bright and furious as she held up the ring that Rose had returned to Cal.

"It is about time you came back, Rose! Cal came back here, devastated and he told me what you did!" Ruth glared at her daughter. She had never been so angry with her daughter in her entire life! A full year of hard work getting Caledon Hockley to notice Rose, and it had all just about been destroyed! Thank goodness that Cal was willing to let her smooth things over. Iron out some of Rose's stubborn wrinkles. "Explain yourself young lady!"

Rose crossed her arms, her own eyes flashing with defiance. She was not going to let her mother bully her! Not this time!

"There is nothing to explain, mother. I do not love Cal, I do not respect him. I find him appalling and a coward. It is for the best that we go our separate ways."

Ruth blinked, unable to believe what she was hearing! "For the best? You think throwinig away the future of this family is for the best? Need I remind you of our situation, Rose? We have no money. We will lose everything dear to us if you do not marry rich! If you do not marry Cal, who has agreed to pay off our debt so generously!"

Rose scoffed. "You mean your debts! And this is not generous! It's you selling me off like chattle! I won't do it, mother! You cannot make me! Find another way to pay off the debtors! A way that does not include me!"

"You ungrateful little brat! After all that I've done for you..."

Rose closed her eyes, taking the force of her mother's angry words. She had expected this. She knew that things were just going to get worse between her mother and herself. It had been expected. But she did it anyway, not letting the fear of her mother's reaction dictate her decisions.

"I am done with this topic, mother. I will be upstairs."

"We are far from done discussing this, Rose! Do you hear me?!" Ruth called after Rose as she turned and walked up to her room, refusing to listen to anymore.

Rose closed the door once she was safely back in her room. That had gone better than she had thought. Of course, she knew that it wasn't over. Her mother will probably keep on nagging Rose about Cal until she was on her deathbed. But that was okay. Nothing she said was going to change Rose's mind. It was finally over. She was free!

Feeling giddy with relief, Rose sat down at her desk once again and withdrew the letter that she had been writing to Jack.

Jack, I couldn't end this letter without sharing the good news. Just as I was signing off, Cal dropped by. We took a walk and I gave him back his ring and broke off the engagement. Both he and mother are furious of course, but what's done is done and I will not be backing down. I feel like I've been infused with a strength that I did not have before. Did it come from you,Jack? If so, thank you. I needed it desperately today. Just like my need to see you again continues to increase. I miss you and I...I love you Jack. Stay safe. I'll be waiting...

Love Rose