Roman's POV
I watched as Ruby stepped down from the van and the door slammed shut behind her. She didn’t look back, not even for a second. I couldn’t tear my eyes away—couldn’t stop the knot tightening in my chest as she walked away.
Watching her leave hurt more now than it had seven years ago. It was like reliving that moment, only worse.
Each heartbeat reminded me of my mistakes, guilt pressing relentlessly against my chest. I should not feel this way after what I did, but the guilt had been building up ever since I turned her down in front of everyone those years ago.
A few moments passed before I realized the van was gone, the rumble of its engine fading into the distance. I hadn’t even noticed it leave. My feet felt rooted to the spot, my mind spinning with too many thoughts to make sense of any of them.
I finally forced myself to move, staggering back to where my car was parked. I gasped for air as I leaned against it because the air was too thick to swallow. I pressed the heel
