anyone again . " Chapter 2 The sky was gray , and rain could start at any moment . [ ] Sophia's husband came to pick her up on his own . [ ] " Didn't I tell you not to come ? " " Are you kidding me , babe ? I'm not letting you get soaked out here . " ] " Hey , Lydia , want a ride ? I can drop you off first . " I shook my head , smiling faintly . " You two go ahead . I'll sit here a bit longer . " I used to envy the case between them , the effortless care . Jason and I shared the same years , yet it always felt like I was looking at him through glass . The answer had always been simple : he never loved me enough . ] I'd convinced myself for years that he just didn't know how to show affection . When the rain lightened , I finally got up to leave . A familiar Maybach pulled up slowly at the curb . The woman in the passenger seat wore an ivory dress , her hair in soft waves , radiating that effortless elegance . Jason stepped out from the driver's side and headed toward the coffee shop , probably just stopping by for a drink . When he saw me , his expression didn't change - just a slight raise of his eyebrows . He probably expected me to greet him first , but I kept my eyes on my phone , checking my Uber . [ ] Lost in thought , I misstepped on the curb , twisting my ankle . Jason glanced , frown flickering for a moment , then walked inside . As always , indifferent . [ ] I waited by the street , trying to ignore the throbbing pain in my ankle . Minutes later , Jason emerged carrying two takeaway cups . " Let's go . " [ ] ive you a ride ? " " Isn't this what you wanted - for me to give you a His tone carried that familiar cold impatience . ] " I didn't ask you to . " Jason didn't bother with more words . He simply pulled me toward the car and handed me one of the coffees . When I didn't take it , he set it aside . ] We drove in complete silence , the tension thick in the air . Yvonne suddenly pressed her hand to her forehead . " Jason , I think my blood sugar's dropping . Do you have anything sweet ? " || Jason reached into the glove compartment without hesitation and handed her a piece of chocolate- Chapter 1 " I've told you a thousand times , make sure you eat properly . You never listen . " Yvonne accepted it with a soft laugh . " I forget when I get busy . Good thing you're here . " [ ] They slipped into conversation about shared memories , mutual friends , experiences they'd lived through together . Their words carried an unspoken understanding that needed no explanation . ] I sat in the backseat like an unwelcome observer to their intimacy . The scenery blurred past the window . We passed Central Park , where the giant Ferris wheel turned slowly against the gray sky . [ Jason and I had our first date there . Legend said couples who kissed at the top would have a lifetime of happiness together . I had stolen a kiss from him that day . He stared at me for the longest time afterward . ] I thought it was one of our few shared sweet memories . Later , I discovered Jason's greatest regret was never taking Yvonne on that Ferris wheel Fragments of our past flashed through my mind - mostly my one sided hopes met with his indifference . I closed my eyes and dozed off . When I opened them again , we were parked outside my building . Yvonne had already gotten aut . ] ] Jason unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to look at my swollen ankle , his brow furrowed . " Lydia , " his voice was low , " does it really have to be like this ? " I looked up , confused . ] " If you wanted me to pick you up , you could have just asked . Did you really have to hurt yourself for my attention ? " His tone remained steady , but I caught the underlying irritation I wasn't sure what was bothering him . Perhaps he resented me for interrupting his precious alone time with his first love . [ ] " Jason , you're overthinking this . " ] " I never asked you to drive me . "] He probably thought I was being stubborn . He let out a bitter laugh . " Oh ? So you were planning to crawl home in that condition ? " " I can call a cab . " I met his gaze steadily . " Jason , I don't need you . " " Tused to cling to you and chase after you because I loved you . That doesn't make me helpless without you . " " Leave ? Lydia , go ahead and try leaving . Let's see if I come crawling back . " [ ] His eyes darkened . I didn't answer . When those divorce papers hit his desk , he would finally understand - I was done playing . Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. He is everything her wild heart rebels against: proper, predictable, and painfully kind. But love has a way of devel...