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Chapter 8

Author: Fifi Flurry
Old photos of Ryan and Avery covered every wall.

The journals, love letters, gifts—everything he thought she'd burned had been carefully kept.

His heart lurched, emotions threatening to swallow him.

'She hates me. Why keep all this?'

He was afraid to guess. What if she still hoped they had a future? He couldn't bear the weight of her love anymore.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked, his voice rough and tired.

Dylan brushed his fingers over the faded photos and laughed softly.

"After everything you've done, she still loves you. But no guy wants his fiancée in love with someone else."

His tone stayed light.

"So, can you make her give up on you for good?"

Ryan gripped his shirt hem, knuckles white. Pale as paper, he stared blankly at the photos.

After a long silence, his voice sounded distant even to him.

"Okay. Tell her to come home three nights from now."

***

Three nights later, rain fell.

A black Maybach glided to a stop outside the mansion. Avery opened her umbrella, climbed the steps, and went inside.

The house was dark, quiet enough to hear her heartbeat.

Since Ryan's lie, she'd avoided coming home. His face reminded her how foolish she'd been to love him.

She'd only returned because Dylan said he needed her.

But no one was around.

Figuring he was asleep, she headed upstairs.

A faint moan drifted down.

Avery froze.

She knew that sound.

Through a half-open door upstairs, two bodies moved together.

The sounds grew louder as she approached.

"That feels so good... Harder... Harder..."

"You tease. Can't get enough, huh?"

Each word hit her like a slap.

She stormed over and kicked the door open.

The pair sprang apart. The woman scrambled out the window and fled.

Ryan yanked the covers over himself, but Avery had already seen the fresh hickeys on his skin.

Avery closed her eyes, holding back anger and grief.

When she spoke, her voice was calm.

"Why?"

'Ryan, why would you do this?'

Ryan huddled under the covers, his trembling fingers barely gripping them.

He forced a smirk. "Why else? You're marrying someone else. I need someone new to pay my bills."

Crash!

Avery snapped. Chairs, vases, picture frames. She smashed everything she could grab.

Before Ryan could react, she hauled him up and dragged him out of the mansion.

Thunder cracked as rain poured down.

Avery stood on the steps, staring coldly at Ryan on the ground. Every word was clear.

"Ryan, get out of my life. I never want to see you again!"

Her words shattered his heart.

Bang!

The front door slammed, cutting her from view.

Ryan closed his eyes and sobbed.

Eventually, he numbly got up and walked away.

His ringing phone broke through his daze.

"Mr. Reed, your euthanasia procedure is in three days. Please be ready."

He opened his mouth, but it took a long moment to answer.

"Okay."

'In three days, Ryan Reed will no longer exist.'

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  • All Their Unspoken Goodbyes   Chapter 23

    After the concert proposal, Ryan and Avery dove into wedding plans.He extended his post-tour break to six months.With their parents handling the details, they spent their free time driving around Crestview.The little North Crestview bakery's shortbread tasted just as they remembered. Ryan was watching his weight, so Avery ate most of it.That night, a cool sea breeze blew as fireworks lit the sky. Avery thought Ryan's face in their glow was the prettiest sight of all.At last, they returned to Brookfield High, hand in hand.Their shadows stretched together in the sunset.The honors board still had a photo of them holding their prize money.Ryan studied it. "Can't believe it's still here after all these years."Still holding Avery's hand, he turned to the nearby photo wall. It took him a while to find a picture of them together."If you hadn't graduated early, we could've had a graduation photo together."She'd rushed off to university without staying for graduation photos

  • All Their Unspoken Goodbyes   Chapter 22

    Ryan and his team spent the next two weeks touring the country.He gained fans at every stop. Avery's flowers always greeted him.For his final added show, he chose his hometown, Crestview.Asked if there was another reason, he smiled into the camera."The person I love most is there."While his team searched for a venue, Crestview Stadium offered to host him. It held a hundred thousand people.The landmark venue was a dream for many stars, but few got approved.In ten years, only twenty-three had performed there.Ryan would be the twenty-fourth, at twenty-four.He was honored.Concert day arrived.Half an hour before showtime, VIPs began filling the front rows.Avery took the center seat in the first row. Nearby fans buzzed with excitement.She and Ryan were both successful, and their high school connection had fans shipping them.They'd dug through old school stories for romance and picked apart every interview for clues.Now she was at his concert, in a seat reserved

  • All Their Unspoken Goodbyes   Chapter 21

    Before his first show, Ryan held a press conference.After the concert questions, entertainment reporters turned to his love life."Mr. Reed, rumor has it you dated Avery Carter in high school. She's now Carter Group's CEO. Are you still in touch?"Her name made him pause.After their promise, she'd kept her distance. Without her holiday calls and texts, he might've wondered if she still existed.While he built his future, she'd built hers.She'd graduated early as a sophomore and gone straight to university.On her eighteenth birthday, she'd taken over Carter Group from Gerard.Within three years, she'd made it one of Crestview's biggest companies.A heartthrob pianist and a powerful CEO made quite a pair.No wonder reporters were digging for a scoop.Ryan smiled. "We keep in touch. Just friends checking in."The reporters looked disappointed.After the press conference, he headed to his dressing room.His assistant, Morgan Herrin, set a huge bouquet of red roses on the

  • All Their Unspoken Goodbyes   Chapter 20

    A knock came. Melinda eased the door open."Avery."Avery pushed herself off the floor. "Mom."She swayed, and Melinda hurried to steady her."Sweetheart, we need to talk."***Ryan was studying at his desk when someone knocked.His parents were out, so he went to answer.Avery stood outside.He tried to shut the door, but she slipped her hand into the gap. He quickly pulled it open."What are you doing here?"His voice was cold, still rough from crying.Her heart softened. She almost stroked his hair, then clenched her hand instead."Ryan, we need to talk. Really talk."They talked for most of the afternoon. Still foggy from being sick, Ryan remembered her last words best."I want to show you love matters more than anything."After talking to Melinda, Avery had finally understood.Ryan loved her, but he didn't trust love to get them through everything.He'd forgotten how much they could get through together.She wanted to help him see that again.First, they had to

  • All Their Unspoken Goodbyes   Chapter 19

    Ryan grabbed his backpack and left before anyone could react."Ryan!"Avery chased him, finally catching his hand."Let go."He'd stopped pretending not to know her. It was an order.He'd used that tone in their first life when she got too clingy at home. She'd retreat to a corner like a wounded kitten, then rush back into his arms when he beckoned.Now her grip only tightened, leaving his wrist red and sore.She wrapped her other arm around his waist, her eyes red."How long are you going to keep being selfish, Ryan?"You loved me our whole first life, but you hid why you left because you thought it was best for me."You got your way. Did you ever think how much it hurt? You could've told me. We could've faced it together."Now you're doing it again. You still love me. Why keep pushing me away? Do I have to die from the pain before you're satisfied?"Her words broke into sobs.Ryan closed his eyes, fighting the tears in his voice."Avery, what does it matter how much I l

  • All Their Unspoken Goodbyes   Chapter 18

    The moment Ryan realized Avery had come back too, he'd wanted to give in.She rarely cried in front of him. Even when building their business was hardest, she'd always greeted him with a smile.Her tears used to break his heart. He'd hold her and cry with her.But he couldn't do that now.He forced himself to push her away."Sorry, do I know you?"He looked like he meant it.Avery froze.She'd imagined so many ways they might meet again, both remembering everything.She could've taken him yelling at her. Even hitting her.But pretending not to know her?His distant stare sent a sharp pain through her chest.Ryan acted like he didn't notice. He turned to the class rep."Andy, she's not in our class. Could you ask her to leave?"Only after Andy politely walked her out did Ryan let his tears fall.He still loved her. He wanted to tell her he remembered, hold her, and cry with her.But Avery was smart and had every advantage. She deserved the chances and connections her wor

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