All Chapters of Ruin me, Gently : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

ISABELLE. Before I could process what was happening, Matteo was beside me, his hand gripping the back of my chair and spinning it to face him. I barely had time to set down my fork before he braced both hands on the armrests, caging me in.My breath caught.Matt leaned down until we were eye level, his face was inches from mine. This close, I could see the muscle ticking in his jaw, the way his pupils had blown wide, the barely controlled tension in his shoulders.“Last chance, Isabelle.” His voice was low and dangerous. “Stop playing games, or I’m going to show you exactly what happens when you push me too far.”My heart was hammering against my ribs. “I’m not—”“You are.” He cut me off, his gaze dropping to my mouth before snapping back up. “You’re sitting there in my shirt, eating the dinner I arranged for you, deliberately making those sounds, knowing exactly what it does to me.”“Maybe I just liked the food,” I said, but my voice came out breathier than I intended.“Liar!” One h

ISABELLE. Reality came crashing back in waves.We’d just done it again. Unprotected. Fully aware of the risk this time. No excuses about being caught up in the moment or not thinking clearly.I looked down at myself—shirt bunched around my waist, legs still spread, sitting on his dining table with evidence of what we’d just done already starting to leak out of me. The picture of debauchery.“I should—” I gestured vaguely at myself.“Bathroom is through there.” Matt pointed to a door off the kitchen, already tucking himself back into his joggers. His hair was a mess, his chest still heaving, but otherwise he looked remarkably composed.How did he do that?I slid off the table on shaky legs and limped my way to the bathroom, acutely aware of his eyes following me. Once inside, I cleaned myself up as best I could, trying not to think about what we’d just done, and whether we had just potentially made things worse.When I emerged, Matt was crouched near the table, sweeping broken dishes

ISABELLE It was difficult to tell who commanded more attention during my presentation at the meeting. Me or my blazer.There were about ten of us seated around the round table. Some looks were ones of admiration. Enrico threw me a knowing smile at intervals, which Rachel caught, causing her to shoot subtle glares in my direction.Despite my presentation being the shortest, I couldn’t wait to get back to my seat — and even then, the stares just wouldn’t stop. If only I could get my hands on Matt right now. Then again, could I really blame him? I was the one who’d grabbed the blazer without so much as a second glance this morning.After what felt like forever, the meeting finally came to an end. I grabbed my iPad and was the first to slip out of the room. I had no idea when my colleagues had all become fashion connoisseurs, sharp enough to spot what was real and what wasn’t.I heaved a deep sigh the moment I stepped into my office and shut the door behind me. I rushed to my desk, snatc

ISABELLEI stared at Dave for a long moment, letting the question hang in the air between us.Bastard?“Everything you never could,” I said finally, my voice flat. “He made me feel things I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling.”Dave’s face crumpled, but I wasn’t done.“You want to know what he’s done to me? He made me realize that what we had” I gestured between us with my eyes, “wasn’t even close to what I deserved. That I had been settling for someone who couldn’t even stay faithful.”I pulled my hand free from Dave’s grip and took a step back.For years, I’d built my life around this man. Planned a future. Believed in promises that turned out to be worthless. And now, standing here in this parking lot, I realized I didn’t feel anything for him anymore. Not love. Not even hate or rage for what he’d done.Just… nothing.“You asked what he has done to me?” I met his eyes one last time. “He helped me forget you ever mattered.”I turned toward my car.“Isabelle, wait—”“Go home to

MATTEO“She’s not my girlfriend,” I said, forcing my voice to stay level. “She’s just someone I’m seeing casually.”Sammie’s grin widened. “Casually? Matt, you never bring casual hookups to your house. What’s different about her?”Everything, my mind supplied immediately. Everything about her is different.But I couldn’t say that. Wouldn’t.“Nothing,” I said instead. “There’s nothing different. And I’m not bringing anyone to the wedding.”Sammie opened her mouth, clearly ready to argue, but I cut her off.“Don’t you have a dress fitting or some wedding planning to get to? Why are you here, interrogating me instead of helping Lisa?”“Everything is all set for the wedding — except you.” She softened slightly. “We want you there. I can see how much Lisa wants it, and that’s why I stopped by this morning. To convince you.”She paused, tilting her head. “But then I saw her drive out. She looked mad. Mad, but cute.” A small smile played at the corner of her lips. “No one ever gets mad at Ma