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THE RIVAL
Tanggal publikasi:
2026-07-21 02:45:36
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Too late to want me back. THE RIVAL
Ryan's POVFor the first time in my life I was nervous to meet another man.Not because I thought Lucas Bennett was stronger than me.Not because I thought he was richer.Or more successful.I had already asked someone to investigate him weeks ago.His record was spotless.Successful architect.Respected businessman.He had no scandals, hidden relationships, or criminal history.He funded scholarships for underprivileged students.He donated anonymously to children's hospitals.He volunteered his time to restore old community centers.The report had ended with one sentence that refused to leave my mind."Mr. Bennett is known for helping others without expecting recognition."I folded the report and slipped it back into the drawer.There was nothing to expose. Nothing to use against him.Which made him an even more difficult rival.My phone buzzed.A message from Lucas.‘I'll be at Hawthorne Café at 3:00 p.m. If you still want to talk, I'll be there.’No hesitation.No games.He had ag
Too late to want me back. COFFEE FOR TWO
Ryan's POVThe memory came to me sometime after midnight.I couldn't sleep.That had become normal lately.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw something I wished I could change.An empty hospital chair. Amelia crying alone.The nurse's words."She always defended you... even when she cried."I turned onto my side and stared at the ceiling.That's when I remembered coffee.Not just any coffee.Saturday morning coffee.Back when we were newly married, neither of us had cared about sleeping in.We would wake up before sunrise, still wrapped in the excitement of building a life together.I'd sneak into the kitchen before Amelia woke up.She loved hazelnut coffee with just enough milk to soften the bitterness.Two spoonfuls of brown sugar.One tiny pinch of cinnamon.She claimed the cinnamon made it taste like home.I'd never understood how. But I always remembered. Then I'd make pancakes. Sometimes they'd burn. Sometimes they'd be too thick.Amelia never cared.She always smiled as though
Too late to want me back. THE EMPTY CHAIR
Ryan's POVThe hospital parking lot looked exactly the same.The same white building.The same glass entrance.The same flower beds lining the walkway.I sat in my car with the engine turned off, staring at the doors through the windshield.For several minutes...I couldn't make myself move.I hadn't been back here in almost two years.Not because I couldn't.Because I didn't want to remember.Every time I thought about this place, I buried myself in work instead.Work had become my hiding place.Today, there was nowhere left to hide.I stepped out of the car.The familiar scent of antiseptic greeted me the moment I walked inside.Memories hit me all at once.Amelia squeezing my hand before our first ultrasound.Her excited smile when we first heard our baby's heartbeat.The tiny knitted socks she'd secretly bought before we even knew the baby's gender.The sound of her laughter.Then; the silence.The unbearable silence.I closed my eyes for a moment.Some wounds never truly healed.
Too late to want me back. HOME EARLIER
Ryan's POVThe office used to feel like my second home.Now It felt like a prison.I stared at the wall clock for the fifth time in less than ten minutes.5:12 p.m.Normally, I'd still be busy with my financial reports and contracts.Normally, I'd ignore the ache in my shoulders and tell my assistant to cancel dinner because I had more work to do.Normally I would've stayed until nine, or maybe ten.Today, I closed the file in front of me.My assistant looked up in surprise."Mr. Carter?""I'm leaving."She blinked."You have another meeting in thirty minutes.""Reschedule it.""What about the proposal from—""It can wait until tomorrow."She stared at me as though I'd suddenly started speaking another language."You've never postponed this client's meetings before.""I know."I slipped on my suit jacket."I'm going home."The words felt strange.When had "going home" become something unusual?---The drive back to the mansion was shorter than I remembered.Or maybe I'd simply spent t
Too late to want me back. TOO LATE?
Amelia's POVThe gala ended long after midnight.By the time Lucas and I stepped outside, the cool night air felt like a welcome escape from the crowded ballroom.I slipped off my heels the moment we reached the steps.Lucas laughed."I was wondering how long you'd last.""My feet surrendered an hour ago.""You hid it well.""I've had years of practice pretending everything's fine."The joke left my lips before I realized what I'd said.Lucas looked at me for a moment.Then he smiled gently."I think you're finally learning that you don't have to."We walked toward the parking lot in comfortable silence.Behind us, guests lingered outside the hotel, chatting beneath the warm glow of the entrance lights.Several photographers still waited near the front doors, hoping to capture influential guests leaving.I tried not to pay attention.Tonight wasn't about them.Tonight was about the woman I'd found again.---Lucas unlocked the car but didn't open the door immediately.Instead, he lean
Too late to want me back. THE DANCE
Amelia's POVI had just finished speaking with the owner of a local art gallery when the orchestra changed songs.The lively music faded into a slow, elegant melody.Couples drifted toward the dance floor, smiling as they slipped into each other's arms.I watched them quietly.There was something beautiful about people choosing each other.Not because they had to. Because they wanted to."Enjoying yourself?"Lucas appeared beside me, handing me another glass of sparkling water."I am.""You've barely stopped talking all night."I laughed."I've never talked this much in one evening.""I noticed."He glanced around the ballroom."You've had three commission requests.""Four."I corrected with a grin."And one gallery invitation."He smiled proudly."I told you people would love your work.""I still can't believe this is happening.""You earned it."Those three words warmed my heart.You earned it. Not you got lucky. Not people feel sorry for you.I had worked hard for this.The hours o
Too late to want me back. THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTOGRAPH
I stared at the photograph until the screen blurred. I stared at Ryan and the woman in the restaurant together. The smile on his face—I couldn't remember the last time he smiled like that at me. My fingers trembled so badly that I almost dropped my phone. Beside me, Ryan slept peacefully, a
Too late to want me back. A FACE FROM THE PAST
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The city noise faded into the background. It seemed like people walking past me suddenly disappeared. I can't describe how I felt; I felt ashamed and hopeful at the same time.All I could see was Lucas Bennett standing in front of me. Ten whole years had passed si
Too late to want me back. THE BILL I COULDN'T PAY
Amelia's POVThe number on the paper refused to change no matter how many times I blinked: $48,732. I held the hospital bill tightly. Forty-eight thousand, seven hundred and thirty-two dollars. It didn't seem real to me yet. Maybe it's a mistake, or maybe someone had accidentally added extra
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