Chapter 60
His words hit me like a slap 1 hadn’t braced for. “I can’t do that”
I blinked at him. My mouth opened but nothing came out for a second. My heart was beating way too fast, and I was trying hard to make sense of what he just said.
“Why not?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he ran a hand through his hair and looked away like the wall behind me suddenly had all the answers. “There’s no need to nish into things. Let’s just… figure it out slowly,”
My chest tightened, but I managed a small nod. I felt like someone had unplugged the electricity from the moment. All that warmth from earlier had vanished. I didn’t want to seem too emotional, so I nodded again, backed up a step.
“Okay then,” I said quickly and walked away before I could let my voice crack.
I went downstairs, curled up on the edge of the couch and stared blankly at the TV that wasn’t even on. I needed to clear my head. I stayed there for a while, not thinking, just existing.
Eventually, I got up to go to my room, but as soon as I stepped into the hallway, he was there. Like he’d been waiting.
“Ellen,” he said, reaching out to stop me.
1 paused, his hand wrapped gently around my wrist. He didn’t try to pull me in this time, just held me there.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. I just…I need time to process everything too.”
I looked up at him, trying to smile, but it didn’t come. I know. But I think I need some space. From all of this?
His face tensed. “What do you mean?”
“I need to step away for a bit. Just a few days to figure out what I want without all the noise.
He didn’t like that. I could see it. His jaw clenched slightly. “Where will you go”
“I’ll get an Airbnb or something” I said, pulling gently out of his hold.
“You can stay at one of my apartments,” he offered.
I shook my head. “No. That would still feel like I’m in your space. I just need to be away.
His eyes searched mine, probably for some crack or window to change my mind, but I held firm
“I’ll stay offline too,” I added. Just a break.”
“Right,” he said, nodding, but he clearly wasn’t thrilled. He exhaled slowly, looking like he wanted to say more but didn’t
Back in my room, I grabbed my suitcase and started packing. T–shirts, sweaters, a few jeans, pajamas. I didn’t pack too much. It was only going to be for a week, and yet it felt like a lifetime.
I added my charger, a couple of books I’d been meaning to read, and then zipped the bag shut. My phone buzzed with the Airbnb confirmation. I had booked a small studio apartment across the city. Quiet Cozy. Away
I stood for a moment, staring at the packed suitcase on the bed
“I’m going to be away from Karl for a whole week,” I whispered to myself.
And then I grabbed my keys, picked up my bag, and walked out.
Kent helped me pack without asking a single question. He folded my clothes with quiet precision, laying them into my suitcase while I paced the room, grabbing last–minute things. I appreciated that he didn’t try to comfort me or offer empty words. That wasn’t what I needed.
When we arrived at the Airbnb, I stepped out and scanned the building. It was a modest three–story walk–up tucked on a quiet tree–lined street. The outside was brick with tiny balconies jutting out on the second floor. Inside, the studio apartment was small but tastefully decorated. Pale wood floors, cream–colored walls, a low velvet couch, and a small kitchen that looked unused. There was a framed print of sunflowers above the bed and another of Paris in the hallway.
1044
Chapter 60
The silence hit me hard.
I sat on the couch and stared at the muted TV screen for a long time. I wasn’t used to this kind of quiet. Karl’s house was always filled with footsteps, staff, the low murmur of a TV in the background, the shuffle of paper from his office,
I picked up my phone and tapped on Natasha’s contact.
“Hey,” she said, chipper as always.
“Can you come stay with me for a few days?”
“Wait, what? Where ever
even are you?”
“I booked a place away from the house. I just needed some time.”
She hesitated. “Babe, I have work.”
111 pay you your full week’s income. Just please come. You’re the only person I can be around right now.”
She sighed on the other end. “Text me the address. I’ll grab some stuff and be there soon.”
She arrived less than two hours later, with her overnight bag slung across her shoulder and her hair up in a lazy bun. She dropped her
bag by the door and threw her arms around me.
You look like hell,” she said.
Thanks.”
We
spent most of the afternoon talking on the bed, her legs curled under her as she crunched on chips and sipped wine. I told her everything. She blinked slowly through half of it.
You mean to tell me you fake–married a billionaire and then caught feelings for him!”
“Something like that.”
She tossed a chip in her mouth. “You’re insane.”
“I know”
Later, we decided to take a walk. The air was cooler now, and the sunset was bleeding pink into the sky. We walked quietly for a few.
minutes, the only sound being the occasional chirp of birds or a car passing in the distance.
Then we turned the corner.
Gypsy was standing near the edge of the sidewalk in sky–high heels and a white blazer, sunglasses pushed into her hair.
“Oh look who it is again,” she said, tilting her head
I came to a halt
“What do you want?” I asked, my tone sharp.
Gypsy stepped forward, smiling like she’d won something. “You called me desperate. But Karl got me a new house, face it, he will always
be obsessed with me.”
My vision blurred red for a moment. “I don’t care
“You should,” she retorted, “after that fake bullshit you pulled up, please you made it seem like it was the end of the world but look where you are, face it, you’ll just be a second choice he is only with out of pity and…”
I took one step forward and slapped her, hard.
The sound cracked through the quiet street.
Her hand flew to her cheek. Natasha gasped beside me.
1 stood there, breathing heavily, my hand still hanging midair, and stared at Gypsy with every ounce of anger I had kept bottled up.
