AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I slip the rings off of my finger and with an odd sense of calm I place them on his desk.
My chin is high as I walk away from him. There’s no outward sign that the man I love with all of my heart has just dug a dagger deep into my heart and twisted it for maximum effect.
I promise myself I won’t break until I get home.
The cab ride is thankfully quick, and I fumble with the lock as I let myself into my apartment. Tears blur my vision as I stumble through the space but the gut wrenching sobs don’t come until I’m buried under the covers of my bed, still fully clothed.
Curled up in the fetal position, I hold onto my body, sobs wracking through me as I cry myself to sleep. Telling myself that Sebastian Worthington can’t hurt me any more than he already has.
THIRTY-TWO
Sebastian
Ithink I fucked up.
When I’m certain she’s gone, I sit down behind my desk, her ring’s glinting under the overhead light. Taunting me. Instinctively, I reach out and pick up the engagement ring. It’s heavy in my palm, the weight of my mistake in this single piece of jewelry.
Fuck. There’s no use in denying it, IknowI fucked up.
The worst thing is that I don’t think she’ll forgive me for the way I treated her and the things I said. I wouldn’t fucking blame her.
Shaking my head, I put my glasses back on, and shuffle through the papers I was working through before she came in. I spend the next thirty minutes trying to get the look of disbelief mixed that marred her beautiful face, out of my mind. It doesn’t work, the conversation just plays on repeat in my mind.
I slam my laptop closed, pushing away from my desk, swiping up my phone, wallet and keys. When I reach the door, I glance over my shoulder, taking one last look at the room. I need to get out of here. Too many things have happened with her here.
My driver meets me out back and sensing my mood, keeps himself near invisible to me. I use the drive to make arrangements for a last minute trip. Every aspect of the city reminds me of her. From the partygoers, down to the lights that shine just like her.
I’m too wired by the time I get back to my place and although it’s late I shoot a text off to Cooper.
Sebastian
Can you get Meghan to check in with Alex?
I expect him to pick up the text in the morning seeing as it’s gone midnight, but my phone buzzes in my hand, signaling a new text.
Cooper
What happened?
How do I answer that? I don’t reply, instead I switch off my phone, leaning back on the couch as I stare at the view of Midtown Manhattan. In the hours when the night turns to day, I come to the realization that she’s better off without me.
Although I knew that already, didn’t I?
I’m a broken man that can’t love her the way she deserves to be loved, not when I’ve never experienced it myself.
Like a coward, I leave for Chicago that morning.
* * *
I left New York four days ago. I’ve not heard anything from Alex since she left my office. Not that I expected to, especially after the words I’d said to her. I’ve reflected on everything that has happened, not just in the last few months, but the last time I saw her.
The need to make things right with her has consumed me.
Stepping onto the sidewalk outside of Sanctuary after finishing up a meeting with the architect I’m hiring, my feet stall as I see George waiting. He seems unsure when I step out onto the sidewalk.
I watch him as he finds the courage to approach me, and he straightens his spine as he steps forward. His voice is clear and sure when he says, “I heard you were in town. I hope you don’t mind that I showed up, but I didn’t like how we’d left things. Do you have time to talk?”
Reminding myself that everything I thought about this man isn’t true. I’m man enough to admit that I’d jumped to conclusions and ended up being wrong.Am I man enough to admit I was wrong with Alex?I push the thought away.
