Chapter 33
STEPHANIE
‘I can’t wrap my head around the fact that you’re breaking up with me,” I murmured softly, the words more for my own understanding than for his ears. “You simply can’t just decide to break up with me!” I exclaimed, the tone of my voice rising with each word, accompanied by an incredulous shake of my head. “Who exactly do you think you are, initiating this relationship and then abruptly terminating it?”
His response was swift, cutting through the tense air of the room. “The very same way you once believed you held the authority to end it years ago,” he retorted sharply, casually depositing his shirt into the laundry hamper. With purposeful strides, he made his way out of the closer toward the bathroom, his movements deliberate, and I found myself trailing in his wake, my steps echoing his. “Let’s not escalate this situation unnecessarily, Stephanie,” he urged. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”
Ryan attempted to enter the bathroom, but I intercepted him, positioning myself to block his path. “This is already a big deal, Ryan!” I yelled directly into his face, the frustration evident in my voice. “We’ve been together for six years, and I’ve proudly announced to everyone, including the internet, that we were destined for marriage. So yes, it’s a huge deal!” I asserted firmly, determined not him make a spectacle of me.
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With a weary sigh. Ryan ran his hand down his face, his expression betraying a hint of exasperation. I understand your feelings, and I apologize for any false hopes I may have given you about marriage, but we simply can’t continue like this,” he explained, attempting once more to bypass me.
Refusing to yield, I blocked his path again, adamant that he provide a satisfactory explanation for his decision. “For the sake of
any less appearances, you can always claim that you ended things with me. I’ll take the blame,” He offered, thinking it will make this harder and painful.
I let out a scoff, unable to contain my disbelief. “You’re absolutely insane, Ryan.” I bit down hard on my lips, desperately trying to stifle the tears that threatened to spill over, the taste of blood mingling with the bitter emotions. “Do you honestly believe that fabricating a narrative where I’m the one ending things will magically fix everything?” I spat out, frustration and hurt evident in my words. “What about my time? What about my emotions?”
Ryan’s response came in a yell, a volatile mix of anger and apology. Tve said I’m sorry! What more do you w
want from me?”
My lips trembled, and the tears flowed freely down my cheeks. And what about the company?” I questioned, desperately trying to come up with an excuse to make him change his mind. “Are you giving up on that too?”
“Don’t concern yourself with that,” he rasped, his voice strained with resolve. “I’ll find a solution, but for now, I need you to gather every trace of your presence in this house and depart. You have a week to comply. After that, I’ll be changing the locks and instructing security to bar your entry to my property.”
The audacity of his words fueled my indignation. Did he truly believe he could treat me like a disposable object? “This is about Lily, isn’t it?” I challenged, the truth slowly making sense to me. Ryan hadn’t entertained the idea of ending things before our trip to Canada. “Has she agreed to be the mother of your children? Is that why you’re pushing me away?”
Ryan remained silent for a fleeting moment, his cold, grey eyes scrutinizing my expression as if seeking answers from the question I asked. This has nothing to do with Lily, he finally asserted, his tone devoid of emotion. “It’s more about the realization that I didn’t take you back out of love, nor did I end my marriage because of love,” he confessed, his tongue darting out to moisten his lips, a familiar gesture when he grappled with finding the right words. “It was more like I was captivated by the notion of you, and now, that allure has faded.
“So you’re not doing this because you suddenly believe you love Lily just because you’ve crossed paths with her again?” I inquired skeptically, not because it would alter the current predicament, but because it might make me feel less like a fool.
“I’m not making this decision based on a newfound belief that I love Lily,” he asserted, “It’s rooted in the undeniable fact that I still harbor feelings for her. I love Lily, but the choice to end this wasn’t solely driven by my resurfaced emotions for her.”
A pause lingered, as if he expected the weight of his words to settle in. “Regardless of encountering Lily or not, this breakup was inevitable. With those words, he gently pulled me aside by placing his hands on my forearm, leaving me standing there as he walked into the bathroom and closed the door.
I stood in silence, staring at the closed door, the sound of the shower a distant echo. How did today turn into such heartbreak? Coming to Ryan’s house, I never expected being on the receiving end of a breakup.
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11:40 AM
Chapter 33
Contrary to his expectations, I didn’t leave. I waited on his bed until he emerged from the shower, having changed into more. presentable attire.
He came to an abrupt halt upon seeing me, clearly taken aback by my unexpected presence. “I have a favor to ask,” I stated, my eyes fixed on a spot on the floor, unable to meet his gaze.
Wrapped in a towel, his muscular frame accentuated, he folded his arms, causing his muscles to ripple. I stole a quick glance before redirecting my eyes elsewhere. “Let me be the one to break the news of our breakup to the press or paparazzi,” I requested, my voice steady despite the turmoil within.
He shrugged nonchalantly. “You know I couldn’t care less about them.”
But recent events suggested otherwise, especially when it came to Lily. “I won’t make the announcement right away,” I continued, meeting his gaze as he turned his attention back to me. “Let the rumors about you and Lily fade away. I don’t want people thinking our issues stem from them. Besides, I want to wait until you’ve figured out how to handle the board at your company.”
His gaze remained indifferent as he stated, “I told you not to worry about the company or the board.”
Angrily, I poked my tongue into my cheek, frustration bubbling within. “Well, my motive to keep this breakup between us isn’t solely for your benefit. I needed a plan to bring him back to me, so I’d rather the people not know what’s going on.
Once again, he shrugged dismissively. “Do whatever you want.”
Feeling a surge of anger, I stormed off the bed, grabbed my purse, and made my exit, purposefully slamming the door to make sure he felt the weight of my frustration.
In a desperate attempt to gain insight, I had someone investigate Lily. Upon discovering her engagement, I took matters into my own hands and paid one of the most influential bloggers to expose the story. Now, the news of Lily’s engagement was spreading like wildfire, a calculated move in the game to reclaim what was lost.
Now that Ryan would be perceived as a cheater if he pursued Lily, I strategized my next move. I arranged a meeting with my father, who had been disappointed in my inability to get Ryan to propose or become pregnant.
As I approached him in the restaurant, I could feel his disappointment piercing through his gaze. Sitting down, I braced myself for his disapproval. “This better be important; I have important matters to attend to, he grumbled.
*Ryan ended our relationship, I confessed, feeling the weight of his scrutiny intensify.
His glare sharpened. “So, you find it acceptable to inform me of your failure to accomplish the one thing I’ve asked of you after investing so much money in grooming you to be every man’s ideal woman?” he rebuked, his disappointment apparent.
“Isn’t it every father’s responsibility?” I retorted, challenging his notion of my worth. “I am going to win him back, but I’ll need your
assistance.
Intrigued, he tilted his head. “What do you need my help with?”
“I want you to speak to his board members,” I explained, laying out my strategy. “Urge them to exert more pressure on him to get married. Have them threaten his position. Without a plan to counter that, he’ll be left with no choice but to come back to me.”