Chapter18 Lydia Rivers stopped . Her gaze was icy ; there wasn't a trace of warmth left . A faint , cutting smile touched her lips . "Chase Rylan , " she said evenly , " you never truly understood me . You never once treated me like I mattered . " " You always assumed I'd wait . That I'd forgive you , no matter what . But you forgot that feelings can fade . Everything I did for you back then ? It doesn't mean anything anymore . " " No ... no , that's not true ! " Chase's voice cracked . He grabbed her arm , desperation raw in his eyes . " Lydia , please - I was wrong . I shouldn't have ignored you . I shouldn't have let you suffer . Just give me one more chance . We can go back , we can be like before . Please . " His grip tightened , too forceful , making Lydia wince . That was when Noah Sterling finally stepped forward . His hand shoved Chase's arm away , pulling Lydia behind him . " Show some respect , " Noah said , his voice low , gaze sharp as steel . " She told you already - she wants nothing more to do with you . " Chase stumbled from the shove , but the sight of Noah shielding Lydia only stoked his jealousy into fury . " You think you matter here ? " Chase lunged , reaching to shove Noah back . " This isn't your business ! " Noah's expression hardened . Before Chase's hand even touched him , his fist connected with Chase's jaw . Crack ! Chase staggered , clutching his face , staring at Noah in disbelief . His gaze darted instinctively toward Lydia , waiting - hoping - for her to rush to him like before . To fuss over whether he was hurt . To grab his hand and tell him to calm down . But she didn't . She didn't even spare him a glance . Instead , Lydia caught Noah's hand , eyes brimming with concern . " Noah , are you okay ? Does it hurt ? " Her voice trembled with worry . She even rubbed his knuckles gently , as if they mattered more than anything else . Her tenderness , her warmth - once his - now belonged wholly to someone else . And it wasn't an act . Chase's chest caved in , agony searing sharper than Noah's punch . Could it be true ? Had she really stopped loving him ? Yes . Her smile , her care , her love - they were no longer his . And it was his own stupidity , his selfishness , that had driven her away and into someone else's arms . Noah gave a small shake of his head and offered Lydia a reassuring smile . " I'm fine . " Then he turned back to Chase , his gaze warning and unyielding . " Don't come near her again . " With that , he laced his fingers with Lydia's and led her away . She didn't look back . Her steps were steady , resolute , her silhouette vanishing under the glow of the streetlamps until there was nothing left , Chase stood frozen , staring after them . The throbbing in his jaw was nothing compared to the hollow ache splitting his chest . When the night wind hit , he realized his cheeks were wet . He had been crying without noticing . All along , he had believed Lydia would never leave him . That no matter how far he strayed , if he turned back , she ' there . I still be waiting right Chapter18 " BELOWARE CLO'S Dreame - Read Romance Stories 44 FREE Installed Open Book Title Cheers to Comeuppance 81.82 % But he was wrong . No one waits forever . His hand tightened around the velvet box buried in his pocket- the necklace he'd bought before flying to London , meant to be his apology gift . But now ... there might never be a reason to give it . The cinema marquee glowed brightly above , crowds laughing and chatting as they passed . And in the middle of it all , Chase Rylan stood alone , sobbing until he could barely breathe . Chapter18