Chapter 21 She was across the bar , sitting alone in black slacks and this loose white silk blouse that clung to her like a secret . Her hair was tucked behind her ear , lips red from the wine she sipped like she'd done it a hundred times . But her eyes . Her eyes looked like they didn't belong in that bar . Like she'd wandered in from a quieter , better world . I was about to ignore her like I did everyone else but then she smiled . Just a little curve of her lips , unsure , maybe tipsy . And somehow , that was all it took . I walked over , slow . She looked up and I said , " You look like you don't belong here . " She blinked at me . " Neither do you . " We laughed . Talked . Laughed more . I didn't even realize hours had passed . She wasn't throwing herself at me . She wasn't playing the games I was used to . She asked questions . She listened . She told me she hated crowded places and loved thunderstorms . I asked if she wanted another drink and she said , " Only if you're staying . " Outside , it started to rain . She didn't have an umbrella , and neither did I , but neither of us cared . I kissed her right there , under the awning with traffic lights blinking red and gold behind us . She tasted like wine and rain . Back at my place , she was quiet . She sat on the edge of my bed , fingers brushing the collar of her blouse . " Wait ," she said . I stopped immediately . " I've never done this before . " I frowned . " What do you mean ? " She looked at me , cheeks flushed . " I'm still a virgin . " I blinked . That wasn't what I expected . Not from someone that graceful . That composed . " You serious ? " She nodded . " I want it to be you ." I remember breathing in slowly , letting that settle in my chest . I asked her if she was sure . She just kissed me again . That night , everything was different . No rush . No ego . Just soft breaths and her hands in my hair . She trembled a little and I held her like she was made of something breakable . I didn't know I had that in me until her . The next morning , I cooked breakfast . She was trying to sneak out , shoes in hand , embarrassed . I grabbed her wrist before she could reach the door . " You think I'm just letting you vanish after that ? " for Dead Now He Rear Mo for Marcu 1/3 61.6 % 22:12 Sun , Aug 10 ם . ט 48 % X She tried to pull away . " I didn't mean for that to happen . I just … I don't usually do that . " " Yeah , well , " I said , " me neither . Stay . " She stayed . After that , I kept calling . Flowers , takeout dinners , random coffee in the middle of her day . I'd leave her notes just to see her smile when she found them . I was addicted to her . To the calm she brought . One night , weeks later , she told me something that made my chest tighten . " I used to work at one of your companies ," she said , playing with her spoon . I raised my brow . " You did ? " She nodded . " You walked past me once in the hallway . You didn't even look ." " Well ," I grinned , " I'm looking now . " She blushed . " I liked you even then . But you felt … unreachable . " I leaned over . " Not anymore . You're mine now . " I meant it . I introduced her to my world . She kept her past close to her chest . Said she had no family . Orphaned . No roots . " Good ," I told her . " Then you belong to me . My name is your name . My world is yours now . " Six months later , I proposed . It wasn't some grand gesture . Just me , her , a rooftop , and the city lights behind us . I held out the ring and asked her to stay . Forever . She said yes . My parents were furious . My mother nearly had a heart attack . " She's just another gold - digger , " she spat . " Look at her , Torren . She's too plain for our name . " I looked her dead in the eye . " Good thing you're not the one marrying her . " The wedding was quiet . Garden setting , no crowd . Just us , a few real friends , and the ocean wind . She looked like peace in a white dress , barefoot in the grass . I told her I'd protect her . Always . She gave up her job after that and moved into the house I bought near the sea . Woke up beside me every day . Waited for me every night . The silence we shared wasn't empty … it was comforting . Then Cleo came . The day she told me she was pregnant , I lifted her off the ground and spun her around like a goddamn teenager . I went to every check - up . I painted that nursery with my own hands . Picked names like it was the most important project of my life . When Cleo was born , I broke down . I held her in my arms and knew nothing else mattered . Therese was glowing , even through the pain . She kept humming this lullaby I didn't recognize , said it was something her mother used to sing . Chapter 21 213 62.6 % 22:12 Sun , Aug 10 48 % 田 10 X recognize , said it was something her mother used to sing . We were perfect . Just us three . Until Ruby showed up again . It was storming . I heard the door open and Therese's voice call out , " Torren ? " I walked to the foyer and froze . Ruby was standing there soaked in rain , lip split , bruises on her jaw and shoulder . Her clothes were torn and she clung to a little boy like he was all she had . Therese cradled Cleo and stared at her , stunned . She didn't say anything . I stepped forward , and Ruby fell into my chest . " Please , " she whispered , " don't let him find us . Help me . " I wrapped my arms around her out of reflex . That was the crack . The moment the glass started to splinter . I didn't know then … that by letting Ruby in , I was already letting Therese go . And God , I hate myself for it now . ** I sat in the back of the Rolls with the city lights passing like ghosts outside the tinted window . My head was pounding and my chest felt like it had been cracked open . I didn't care what hour it was . I didn't care what it cost . I told Mico , " Send her everything . I mean everything ." He blinked at me through the rearview mirror . " Everything , boss ? " וי " The necklace . The one from Cartier . She wanted it years ago , remember ? I told her it was too expensive . Said she spent too much . I was a fucking idiot . " I clenched my jaw and looked away , ashamed I remembered her face that night . How she smiled small and said , " It's okay . I don't need diamonds . " Mico cleared his throat . " Alright . Anything else ? " " White orchids . From Thailand . The rare kind she used to show me on Pinterest . " " That's not in season right now , boss ." " Then fly a damn jet . I don't give a shit . I want it by tomorrow . " 22:12 Sun , Aug 10 48 %