“Nope.“.

Are you kidding me? I hadn’t even figured out myst marriage yet, and he wanted me to jump into another mess? No way in hell!

But seeing how bummed out Ryan looked after I shot him down, I did feel kind of bad:[]

“I don’t even have my divorce certificate yet. Whether I’ll ever get married again–it’s way too early to even think about that. Plus…”

I dropped the smile and got serious:]]

You’re an only child. If I’d never been married before, maybe we’d have a shot. But the reality is I got married and divorced within six months. Your parents would never be okay with me.“[]

“Who says?! They know I’ve had a thing for you! For years and years!“]]

I don’t know how to respond.[]

If I hadn’t randomly decided to prod Ryan earlier, I never would’ve believed it.]]

The guy–who’d been my sworn enemy since we were kids–actually liked me?!]

room.] My heart was all over the ceb, /bso I made up some excuse and went back to my

I kept thinking about How’d Ryan used to shield me whenever something dangerous happened when we were little.[]

How he’d absolutely trash every actor I ever had a crush on.[]

And how’d he look so miserable bat /bmy weddingb, /bdowning drink after drink while ke and I said our vows.]

I couldn’t sleep.

The next morning, Ryan and I got on the ne home.b] /b

Neither of us brought up what happened the night before. Afternding in Manhattan, we went our separate ways.[]

When Dad got back, he told me about what had happened to the kes while I was away.[]

“That Amber girl got send to the countryside by ke’s mom. I heard she was crying and carrying on outside their gate for ages the day she left, but nobody paid her any mind.“]

Even with ke’s dad and ke working together, theirpany was still going downhill.]

Stock prices kept dropping. Shareholders bwere /bbpissed /band demanding answers from ke.[]

ke stepped down as chairman and started over from the bottom.]

14.99

Chapter b11 /b

He was almost living at the office now, never going home.]

The only time he went back to the family house was the day they kicked Amber out.]

But while she was bawling her eyes out, he just stood inside the doorway, watching with no emotion.[]

me that p

Marcus sent me that photo. He also sent a voice message:]

“Your ex sure is ruthless. Good thing you woke up early and didn’t waste more time on that jerk.“[]

Three and a half years. I’d given ke everything bI /bhad.]]

If I’d known it would end like this, I wish I’d never met him.]

On the day we were picking up our divorce certificate, ke showed up a littlete.]]

After a month apart, that whole ‘stay away from me‘ vibe he had going was even stronger.[]

But when he saw me, his expression did soften a bit.

“Victoria, looks like you’ve been doing pretty well.“||

I looked well–healthy and glowing.

He looked hell–exhausted and hadn’t even bothered shaving properly.[]

The contrast was pretty obvious.

I smiled and walked into city hall first.[]

After we got the papers, I just shoved them in my bag.

ke followed behind bme /band quietly said, “I’m sorry.“]]

I pretended didn’t hear him, waved, and got in Ryan’s car.]]

I have no idea what changed his mind.[]

After we went home separately that day, he disappeared for a few days.[]

Yesterday he suddenly showed up at our ce with a bunch bof /bexpensive supplements, telling Dad he wanted to marry me.[]

After the whole ke disaster, Dad was way more careful about my love life.]

Even though he’d watched Ryan grow up, he wasn’t exactly rolling out the wee mat. Just said it waspletely up to me.[]

It was like Ryan had suddenly found his groove. []

“I’m gonna court you for real this time, and I won’t give up until you marry me!“}

I know how stubborn he can be.[]

1515

Chapter b11 /b

I didn’t say no. Just told him I’d give him a chance.]

Will I actually end up marrying Ryan? Honestly, I’m not sure.[]

But this time, I’m for sure gonna love myself more.[]

Ie first, no matter what.[]

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