Chapter 2

Blair trailed a step behind him, both of them carrying paper bags from a high-end supermarket filled with new linens, dishes, and scented candles.

They looked like a young couple who had just moved in, about to cook their first meal together.

My aunt, Lucia, had come down to meet me. Her brow furrowed at the sight, and I cut her off before she could speak.

"Zia, the delivery from Mamma is here. Remember to sort through it. And decant that wine beforehand; don't waste the vintage."

I didn't spare Ryder a single glance. For once, he was the one who broke the silence, offering an explanation.

"Olivia, don't get the wrong idea. Blair's old apartment had terrible security, so I helped her rent a suite in this building. It's such a coincidence that Zia lives here too. Why did you bring so much stuff?"

I turned to direct two of my soldati to unload the wooden crates from the truck, answering him without a glance.

"You don't need to report your affairs to me. These are from the family. Who knows when I'll be back, so they sent a little extra."

He was visibly relieved that I wasn't making a scene.

"That's good. Liv, your hometown isn't that far from here. Anytime you want to go back for a visit, just let me know."

He still had no idea I was leaving in three days. I didn't plan on telling him.

My aunt wanted to interject, but seeing the way Ryder was half-turned, carefully shielding Blair behind him, her face went cold.

The four of us stood there awkwardly in the lobby, frozen on the steps by the apartment entrance.

In the end, it was Blair who broke the silence, saying softly that her arms were tired.

Ryder immediately chimed in, asking my two soldati to wait.

He reasoned that Blair wasn't carrying much and should use the elevator first.

I glanced at the two shopping bags, stuffed to the brim, and gave a faint wave of my hand, motioning for my guards to step aside.

A flicker of surprise crossed Ryder's eyes before he quickly pulled Blair into the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors closed, I saw in Blair's demure, smiling face a reflection of myself from years ago.

Back then, when my aunt remarried and moved away, Ryder was just as attentive, running back and forth to carry my boxes into his brownstone, a wide grin on his face as he said he was welcoming home the lady of the house.

My aunt stood beside me and sighed.

"Olivia, are you sure you don't want me to ask? You've known each other for so long. It would be a shame if you broke up over a misunderstanding."

I shook my head.

"There's no need. There's no misunderstanding between us. He never lets something he truly cares about wait. The fact that he doesn't have to explain is the explanation."

In reality, the few things they bought could have been put away in five minutes.

But after I had carried all the gifts upstairs, shared a cup of tea with my aunt, and came back down to leave, he was nowhere in sight.

Out of respect for our seven years together, I still took out my phone and sent him a message, asking when he would be back.

The message had barely gone through when a voice note came back from him.

I pressed play and heard Blair's saccharine voice.

"Olivia, Ryder's helping me in my new kitchen! He just got this place set up for me, and there's so much to arrange. You go on ahead; I don't want to hold you up!"

I was about to call a car when she sent another one.

"Olivia, please don't get the wrong idea. Ryder is just helping me out. He knows how hard it is for a girl trying to make it in Star City all by herself..."

Thinking of my parents far away in Lanze, whom I hadn't seen much of in ten years, I swallowed the words in my throat and closed the chat window.

Not long after the car pulled away, Ryder's call came through.

"Olivia, what was that attitude you had with Blair? She's my subordinate. What's wrong with me helping her find a safe place to live? The company hasn't arranged housing yet, so shouldn't I lend a hand?"

"Olivia, when did you become like this? At the victory dinner, you were sulking the whole time, claiming you felt sick and wanted to leave. I haven't even gotten on your case about that, and now you're pulling this stunt?"

Through the phone, I could hear Blair's perfectly timed, suppressed sobs.

She was a world away from the sharp-tongued woman who had stood before me.

I saw right through their clumsy charade, but I was too tired to offer a word in my own defense.

"You're right, it was my fault. I'm fine. You go on."

Any more words would be a waste of time.

"I'm already on my way home," I said, my voice flat. "I didn't wait."