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Chapter 10
Dernier chapitre
After I Fled Our Wedding, the Don Begged for One Look Chapter 11
Early the next morning, he gave the key to the place next door back to the landlady.Before he left, he asked me to meet him by the river.It was the first time he didn't bring flowers or a gift or say anything about starting over."Ivy, I used to think that as long as I was willing to turn around, you'd still be standing right where I left you. Then I thought that if I made it up to you enough, you'd forgive me eventually."He gazed out at the water, deep shadows of exhaustion under his eyes."But I finally get it. You're not punishing me. You really don't love me anymore."I didn't deny it.Adrian gave a rueful smile. "For six months, I've been jealous of Julian every single day. You remember what he likes. You save the most special gifts for him. You worry when he gets rained on or hurt. I kept asking myself, why him? I didn't understand until last night. Back then, you had to watch me put Vivian first, just as I watch you do with Julian now. And I never once thought I was being cr
After I Fled Our Wedding, the Don Begged for One Look Chapter 10
Adrian still wouldn't give up.He rented the place next door to the guesthouse and tried to learn how to court me.He stopped using our engagement to make demands, and he stopped saying I was just throwing a fit.He left things in New York to Lucas and the Vitale family's advisor for now. Every few weeks he flew back to deal with business, and as soon as it was handled, he flew right back down.He learned my habits.He came along on my sketching trips and lined up sponsors for the conservation center's charity projects. When we cleared trails or hauled supplies, he took off his suit jacket and worked alongside the volunteers.But the more he did, the more clearly he saw that I favored Julian.When the three of us ate together, I'd naturally pass Julian the dishes he liked.When there was only one window seat left in the car, I'd ask Julian first if he wanted it.When I brought back souvenirs from a sketching trip, everyone else got an ordinary postcard. Julian got a wooden bookmark I
After I Fled Our Wedding, the Don Begged for One Look Chapter 9
Adrian didn't leave Costa Rica.Early the next morning, he was waiting outside the guesthouse with my favorite black coffee and a sea salt bagel."I always used to get your breakfast wrong. Today I stood in line for an hour."I glanced at it and pushed it back. "No, thanks."Just then, Julian rode up on his bike with two chicken sandwiches in a bag hanging from the handlebars."Your usual place was closed today, so I went to another one. No sweet sauce. Try it."I took one and smiled. "You always come through."Adrian stood there holding the coffee that had gone cold, his grip slowly tightening.Back then, all my sister had to do was mention something she wanted to eat, and he'd cross half the city to get it. When she wanted my sandwich, though, he'd assumed I wouldn't mind giving it up.Now he'd finally learned what I liked, and I was giving my easiest smiles to Julian.The day we went into the forest to sketch, it suddenly started raining.Adrian had brought an umbrella and a rainc
After I Fled Our Wedding, the Don Begged for One Look Chapter 8
I'd been living in Costa Rica for over a month.During the day, I went into the forest with the conservation center's field survey team to sketch the animals and document rainforest life. At night, I went back to the guesthouse to sort through my material. Slowly, my new picture book began to take shape. The bougainvillea in the courtyard was in full bloom, and for the first time, I realized how full a life that didn't revolve around anyone else could be.Julian Walker was a field program specialist at the nonprofit conservation center.He'd come from the States to work there, handling wildlife monitoring, habitat patrols, and public education. He was my guide during my stay.He knew I didn't like sweets, so whenever he passed the bakery in town, he'd pick up a sea salt bagel for me. He'd remind me to bring bug spray before we went into the forest, but he never made decisions for me.His care was never too much or too little. It put me at ease.The night the conservation center's
After I Fled Our Wedding, the Don Begged for One Look Chapter 7
Adrian's first stop was the illustration studio where I worked.A former coworker told him I'd finished all the paperwork to quit three days earlier.Only then did he find out I wasn't just an ordinary employee who lived off my family. I was a bestselling author with three picture books out. My royalties were enough to let me live comfortably in any city. I didn't need him, and I wouldn't run out of money and come meekly home, as my parents had predicted.After that, he went to the bridal shop, the jewelry store, the bookstore I liked, the café on the corner by our old school. He even asked every person nearby who knew me.For the first time, he realized everything he knew about me was just bits and pieces.He knew I didn't like sweets, but he didn't know which café made my favorite black coffee. He knew I could draw, but he'd never looked at my books. He knew I was always waiting for him, but he'd never really asked where I wanted to go.Lucas found out I'd flown to Costa Rica.
After I Fled Our Wedding, the Don Begged for One Look Chapter 6
He stood in the emptied-out room, and his phone slipped from his hand and hit the floor."How dare she actually leave?" My mother had followed him in, and her face soured at the sight of the empty closet. "All the major families in New York are there. How are we supposed to show our faces after this?"My father's face was cold. "Cancel her credit card. Don't bother looking for her. She's timid and she's got no real skills. That little bit of money from her drawings won't last her more than a few days. Once it runs out, she'll come crawling back to apologize."Adrian didn't say anything.He'd been hearing them talk like this since he was a kid. He'd even thought it was normal.My sister always deserved the best of everything. I was sensible, ordinary, and never fought for anything, so it was fine to overlook me.Vivian stood in the doorway, watching him for a long time. Then she spoke up. "I've wanted to tell you something for a while. I have regrets too."Adrian, that day when I st
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