The Man I Couldn't Forget

“From where?”

Adrian’s question hung between us.

Nicolas looked at me, waiting to see what I’d say. I forced a smile.

“We met a long time ago.”

“At an event,” Nicolas added quickly.

I looked at him. An event? That was all he had after everything?

“Well, that’s convenient. You already know each other.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Very convenient.”

I took a sip of water to keep my hands busy. The man I’d once loved had come back after five years. This wasn’t the place to fall apart.

“So, Elena,” Adrian said, “have you met the rest of the family?”

“Not everyone.”

“Come on. I’ll introduce you.”

I wanted to grab Nicolas and demand answers, but I couldn’t tell Adrian we’d once planned a life together.

“Sure,” I said.

Adrian took me to a group near the fireplace. I smiled and answered questions, but barely heard them. I could feel Nicolas nearby.

I held my glass and nodded. I wanted a quiet room, but had to act like nothing was wrong in front of everyone.

Five years had passed. So why could one look from him send me back to the worst time of my life?

When Adrian got caught talking to one of his uncles, I’d had enough.

I found Nicolas near the hall, alone with a drink.

“Can we talk?”

He turned. “Elena—”

“Don’t.” I glanced at the main room. “Just come with me.”

I walked to a quiet spot by the library. The music and voices were softer there. Nicolas followed, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He frowned. “I’m here for the family gathering.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

He lowered his glass. “I know.”

“Then answer me. Why are you back in New York? And why am I only finding out you’re Adrian’s stepbrother at a family event?”

“I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Well, neither did I.”

He looked down, and that small move hurt. I used to know when he was hiding something or searching for the right words.

“Elena, I didn’t plan for us to meet like this.”

“Did you plan to see me at all?”

He didn’t answer.

I laughed, but nothing was funny. “Of course you didn’t.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Not fair? You disappeared, Nicolas. You left without telling me why, and I spent months asking what I’d done wrong. I thought something had happened to you. I tried to find you, but you were just.. gone.”

His face tightened. “I know.”

“No, you don’t.” My voice shook. “You weren’t there when my family fell apart. You weren’t there when I lost everything. I didn’t know what would happen to Luca or me, and the one person I thought I could count on wasn’t there.”

“I never wanted you to think it was your fault.”

“Well, you failed.”

He flinched. I almost felt bad, until I remembered all those nights waiting for calls that never came.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?” I asked. “Why didn’t you let me understand?”

His fingers tightened around the glass. “I couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t, or didn’t want to?”

Pain crossed his face.

“I did love you, Elena.”

My throat tightened. I hated hearing those words, not because they meant nothing, but because they still meant something to me.

“That was five years ago.”

“I know.”

“Then stop acting like saying it changes anything.”

He seemed ready to say more, but stayed quiet. That same silence again.

“I’m not asking you to tell me your whole life story,” I said. “I just want to know why you left.”

“I can’t explain it here.”

“Then find another time. But don’t stand in front of me and expect me to act like nothing happened.”

“I don’t expect that.”

“Good. Because I can’t.”

Laughter came from the next room. Adrian’s family was close, and I couldn’t let this become a scene.

“Whatever we had is over, Nicolas. I’m not asking you to come back, and I’m not waiting for you to choose me this time.”

His face changed. “Elena, that’s not—”

“I need you to leave the past alone.”

He stared at me. For a moment, I thought he might finally tell me the truth.

Instead, he said, “I never stopped thinking about you.”

I looked away. “Please don’t.”

“It’s true.”

“Maybe. But you don’t get to leave someone’s life and come back thinking those words will fix everything.”

“I’m not asking them to.”

“Then what do you want from me?”

He opened his mouth, but a voice came from behind us.

“There you are.”

I turned so fast my heel caught the rug.

Adrian stood at the hall entrance, looking from Nicolas to me. “Everything okay?”

I straightened. “Yes. We were just talking.”

“About what?”

“Old times,” Nicolas said.

Old times. Like we’d been classmates, not two people who’d loved each other.

Adrian looked between us. “I hope you’ve caught up. We should get back.”

“Of course,” I said, walking past him before either man could ask more.

I stayed near Adrian and pretended not to notice Nicolas. When it was time to leave, I hurried out.

I didn’t say goodbye to Nicolas. I was scared that if I looked at him again, I’d forget every reason I had to stay away. Outside, the cool air touched my face, but it did nothing to clear my head.

In the car, Adrian loosened his tie and looked at me.

“You’ve been quiet.”

“I’m tired.”

“That all?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

“You were fine until Nicolas showed up.”

My stomach tightened. “Was I?”

“Elena.”

I looked out the window. “What do you want me to say?”

“The truth would be a good start.”

I thought about telling him why Nicolas had upset me, then remembered the contract. Adrian had hired me as his companion, not to hear my past.

“We knew each other years ago,” I said. “That’s all you need to know.”

His jaw moved, but he didn’t argue. “Fine.”

I turned back to the window, glad he let it go.

Adrian watched me. “Is there something I should know about you two?”

My fingers curled around my handbag strap.

“No,” I said, making myself look at him. “There’s nothing you need to worry about.”

He didn’t seem convinced, but turned back to the road.

For a few minutes, neither of us spoke. I th

ought the questions were over, until Adrian said, “There’s something else you should know.”

I turned toward him.

“Nicolas is moving back into the mansion next week.”

I stared at him. “He’s what?”