Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Ryan
I lay motionless in bed, staring at the crown molding on the ceiling.
In the dim light, I could barely make out the curling patterns.
Everything that happened in the bathroom was still fresh—hot water spilling over the edge of the tub, him leaning into my neck, those large hands gripping my waist. I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow, heart pounding.
It took me forever to pull myself together and get up.
Standing in front of the closet, I hesitated longer than usual.
I pulled out a pale blue silk blouse and cream-colored pants, held them up to the mirror, then switched to a fitted forest green dress.
I let my hair down and ran a brush through it slowly.
I turned sideways, checking my reflection.
The woman in the mirror had a flush still lingering on her cheeks, blue eyes a little too bright.
I took a deep breath and headed downstairs.
The air smelled faintly of coffee and bread. Ronan was already seated at the head of the table, wearing a charcoal shirt with the cuffs buttoned perfectly, hair combed back without a strand out of place. Sunlight cut through from the side, dividing his face into sharp light and shadow.
I steadied myself and walked over quickly, taking the seat across from him. "Good morning."
He glanced up. Just once. Those gray eyes lingered on my face for less than a second before dropping back to his papers.
"Morning." Something about his tone felt distant.
I poured myself coffee and spoke up. "Rose put a little deer in the sandbox yesterday. She also drew a path from the forest to the village. She's never included pathways before. It means she's starting to construct—"
"From now on, coordinate with Declan on anything regarding Rose."
He picked up his coffee cup and stood, walking straight toward the door. I stared at my own cup, the dark liquid reflecting the blurred outline of the chandelier overhead. Steam rose and hit my face, carrying the bitter smell of over-roasted beans.
That afternoon, I took Rose to play in the backyard. She sat on a blanket with Luna in her lap, the kitten rolling contentedly onto her back, belly exposed. The corner of Rose's mouth lifted slightly as she reached for a toy and started waving it gently.
Ronan appeared from the wooded path. Rose sensed movement behind her, looked up at him, a flicker of expectation in her eyes. He crouched down and ruffled her hair. "Did you have a good day?"
Rose nodded, then held the toy out toward him. Since getting Luna, she'd done this occasionally. Usually, Ronan would play along for a few minutes. But today was different.
"Baby, Daddy's busy." There was an apology in his eyes. "Next time, okay?"
Rose lowered her hand, disappointed, watching Ronan walk away. He was just busy. Declan came and went all day. Marco rushed in and out. He'd even passed Rose's care off to Declan. These thoughts circled in my head. I almost believed them.
That day, Ronan didn't leave the house for once. I gathered a stack of photos, planning to ask his permission. I wanted to create a photo wall for Rose, filled with moments of her and Luna together. But I needed his approval first.
At the study door, I knocked softly. No response. I pushed it open. When he saw it was me, his brow furrowed. "What is it?"
I froze. Over these past weeks, coming and going from his study had become routine.
He rarely used that tone with me anymore.
But this was about Rose, so I pushed forward.
"I want to create a photo wall for Rose.
I've picked a spot—that empty wall in the hallway off the living room.
It won't be in guests' faces, but Rose passes it every day. I think if she saw these—"
"Fine." He waved his hand. "From now on, tell Declan about things like this." He added, "You can go."
I bit my lip. I'd thought maybe we could look through the photos together. But with this ice-cold dismissal, I swallowed every thought.
"Yes, sir."
I twisted the doorknob harder than necessary. As the door closed, I caught something like "stop her next time." Great. He was targeting me.
I pushed the heat rising to my eyes back down. Victoria was right. I'd been delusional. But he was the one who'd approached me out of nowhere, then pulled away just as suddenly. Whatever. Ryan. Take care of Rose, help Rose, then leave and get back to your quiet life. That's what matters.
I took two days off for exams. When I finished the last one, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and texted Lulu.
"Done. Usual spot?"
"Twenty minutes."
The "usual spot" was a little café three blocks from campus. Easy to miss—wedged between a laundromat and a pawn shop. But they roasted their own beans, and a black coffee was only a buck fifty, refills half price. Lulu and I had been meeting here since our first year working.
She was already there when I walked in, perched at the window-side high-tops. Her newly dyed purple hair stood out like a tropical bird. She'd nearly finished her latte. When she spotted me, she waved enthusiastically.
"Babe, you look good."
"Of course. No more Line 7 waking me up." Her eyes swept over me, then her brow furrowed.
"Jesus, you've lost weight." She pinched my cheek. "These bones are about to poke through."
I slid onto the stool next to her and ordered a black coffee from the guy behind the counter. "Exam week."
"Bullshit." Lulu propped her elbow on the bar. "Exam week doesn't do this to people. What happened?"
"I'm fine."
"Ronan?"
I didn't answer.
"I knew it! Goddamn men!" Lulu slammed her palm on the table. The little cactus nearly toppled. The owner looked over nervously.
I grabbed her hand. "Okay, okay. He's not worth getting worked up over. That's just how guys like that are. I was overthinking."
"No way. You're telling me everything, start to finish!" Lulu wasn't backing down. She grabbed my hand, nails digging into my skin.
I realized I couldn't dodge this and told her everything that had happened at the manor.
When I finished, Lulu was quiet for a long time. I braced myself, afraid she'd explode.
"Okay, let me be clear." Lulu set down her cup. "This man, filthy rich, hot and cold with you." She pointed a finger at me. "You know what that's called?"
"What?"
"A power game." She took a big gulp. "He's into you, but he can't accept that he's into you. Guys like this are used to controlling everything. I bet if you actually left, he'd find a way to drag you back. Over and over, until you're completely worn down."
I looked down, silent. Maybe she was right.
"You've fallen for him." Lulu's anger faded into resigned understanding.
"I haven't."
"Ryan."
"I really haven't."
She gently grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet her eyes. They were serious, steady.
I couldn't lie to myself anymore. I closed my eyes slowly. "Fine. But I'm completely clear-headed now."
"Really?"
"Realer than real."
Lulu finally relaxed, patting the back of my head. "That job pays great, but if it means throwing your heart into a mess like this, no amount of money is worth it."
"I know."
"Good." She hopped down from her stool. "We're meeting once a week from now on. I'm your reality check."
I smiled and pinched her cheek. "Thanks, my alarm system."
When we left the café, it was getting dark. While waiting for a cab, my phone rang. Unknown number.
I hesitated, then answered. "Hello?"
"Ryan, it's me."
The familiar, disgusting voice made me freeze—Dustin, my nightmare ex from two years ago, a complete piece of garbage.
"How did you get my number?"
"Don't be so cold, babe." His voice was still that sleazy tone. "Took me forever to track you down."
"We broke up, Dustin." I gripped the phone. "What do you want?"
"I've been having a rough time lately." His tone turned pathetic. "Heard you landed a high-paying gig. Think you could lend me some cash? For old times' sake?"
"In your dreams!" I practically shouted, drawing stares from passersby.
"Don't be so quick to refuse." His voice turned sinister. "Don't you want to know what I've got?"
My heart sank. "What do you mean?"
"Check your messages, babe."
I hung up and opened my texts. What appeared on screen made my blood run cold.
A screenshot. Blurry, but clearly showing two people in an intimate moment. From two years ago, when we were still together...
Another text came through. "Remember now? If you don't want this spreading everywhere, meet me tomorrow at noon."
My legs went weak. I almost collapsed. How was this possible? How did he have these?
All night, I was a wreck. Those images were blurry, but if they got out... I couldn't imagine the consequences. What would Ronan think of me? Would Rose's treatment be affected? Would my career be destroyed?
The next day after class, I texted Dustin through clenched teeth. "I'm out. Starbucks near campus."
I chose this Starbucks deliberately. Only two blocks from school, always packed with students. If anything happened, people would notice.
I arrived ten minutes early, picking a window seat in a crowded area. Soon, Dustin showed up.
Two years had changed him. His once bright, handsome face was gaunt now, eyes sunken, cheekbones sharp. Clearly, things hadn't gone well.
"Hey, Ryan." He sat across from me, eyes greedily taking me in. "You got prettier."
"What do you want? How much?" I wasn't playing games. Straight to the point.
"So direct?" He put on a hurt expression. "We loved each other once..."
"Cut the crap!"
"Fine, fine." He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Five thousand dollars. My fee for keeping quiet. Plus..."
He licked his lips. "Another ten grand. Call it a breakup fee."
"Are you insane?" My eyes went wide. "Where would I get that kind of money?"
"Don't play dumb, Ryan." He leaned forward. "I did my homework. You're working for some super-rich family now, pulling in at least ten grand a month. This is nothing to you."
"That's money I earned!" I was shaking with rage. "Why should I give it to you?"
"Because of this." He waved his phone. More of those images on screen. "If you don't pay, I'll post these online. Or... send them straight to your employer?"
Despair washed over me. I knew Dustin too well. He'd absolutely do it.
"I... I really don't have that much." I bit my lip. "Three thousand, tops."
"Three thousand?" Dustin laughed, a sound that made my skin crawl. "Ryan, are you kidding me?"
He suddenly grabbed my wrist. "Since you can't pay in cash..."
I tried to pull away, but his grip was tight.
"Find another way to make it up to me." His other hand reached for my face.
"Let go!" I yanked hard.
"Don't be like that." He stood and came around to my side, arm snaking around my waist, hand wandering upward. "You dressed up all pretty to seduce that rich boss, didn't you?"
He leaned close to my ear, his breath making me sick. "If you can sleep with him, why not me? Weren't we good together?"
"Get off!" I stomped hard on his foot.
"Ah!" He loosened his grip in pain but quickly grabbed me again. "You bitch! Playing innocent?"
People around us were noticing now, throwing curious, hesitant glances our way. But no one stepped forward to help. They just watched from a distance.
"You'll fuck him but not me?" He snarled. "We've done it before anyway!"
"Dream on!" I was furious, grabbing my bag and swinging it at him.
"Slut!" Dustin lost it completely, raising his hand to hit me.
Then suddenly, someone caught his wrist.
"You'd better back the hell off." A deep male voice cut through, dangerous and warning.