Chapter 12

Mia woke up on Saturday morning feeling strangely nervous.

It was only a date.

At least, that was what she kept telling herself.

Ryan had asked her out, and she had agreed.

There was nothing wrong with that.

She was divorced in everything but paperwork, and Ethan had made it clear he wouldn't stop her from moving on.

Still, when Mia stood in front of her mirror, she changed outfits three times.

She finally settled on a simple cream dress that fell just above her knees.

Nothing too dramatic.

Nothing that made it look like she was trying too hard.

She looked at herself and smiled.

“You're allowed to be happy.”

Her phone buzzed.

Ryan: I'm downstairs. Take your time.

Mia grabbed her handbag.

“I'm coming.”

When she stepped outside, Ryan was waiting beside his car.

His eyes immediately brightened.

“You look beautiful.”

Mia smiled.

“Thank you.”

Ryan opened the passenger door for her.

“Ready?”

“As ready as I'll ever be.”

He laughed.

“That's all I need.”

Mia climbed inside.

Neither of them noticed the black car parked farther down the street.

Inside it, Ethan watched them leave.

He had no business being there.

He knew that.

He had promised Mia he wouldn't interfere.

And he intended to keep his promise.

But knowing Ryan was taking her on a date had kept him awake most of the night.

He had almost called her several times.

He hadn't.

For once, Ethan was learning that loving someone meant respecting their choices—even when those choices hurt.

Daniel glanced at him.

“Do you want me to follow them?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

Ethan looked at the empty road.

“No.”

He leaned back against the seat.

“Take me to the office.”

---

Ryan took Mia to a quiet lakeside restaurant outside the city.

It wasn't the sort of place where wealthy businessmen gathered.

There were no photographers.

No reporters.

No people whispering about the Carter family.

Just trees, water, soft music, and enough privacy for two people to breathe.

Mia looked around.

“This is beautiful.”

“I thought you'd like it.”

“How did you find this place?”

“I've been here before.”

“With someone?”

Ryan smiled.

“No.”

Mia raised an eyebrow.

“Then why were you here?”

“To escape.”

“From what?”

“Everything.”

She laughed softly.

“I understand that.”

They sat across from each other.

For the first hour, they didn't talk about Ethan.

They talked about childhood memories.

School.

Business.

Food.

Ryan even told her embarrassing stories about himself until Mia was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.

“You're ridiculous.”

“I prefer entertaining.”

“You're definitely entertaining.”

Ryan smiled.

“I missed that.”

“What?”

“Your laugh.”

Mia's expression softened.

“You've known me for years.”

“And I've wanted to hear it like this for years.”

Her heart skipped.

Ryan reached across the table.

He didn't touch her.

He simply rested his hand near hers.

“I don't want you to choose me because Ethan hurt you.”

Mia looked at him.

“I wouldn't.”

“I know.”

He smiled.

“But I want you to know that I'm not afraid of what you still feel for him.”

Mia lowered her eyes.

“Ryan…”

“You don't have to explain.”

He gently shook his head.

“I know you loved him.”

“I still—”

She stopped.

Ryan waited.

Mia swallowed.

“I don't know what I feel anymore.”

Ryan nodded.

“That's okay.”

“You're not angry?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I'd rather have your confused heart than a perfect lie.”

Mia stared at him.

Ryan smiled.

“And I'm willing to wait while you figure it out.”

Her eyes softened.

“Why are you so patient with me?”

“Because you're worth waiting for.”

Mia's heart fluttered.

This man was dangerous in a completely different way.

He didn't pressure her.

He didn't demand.

He simply made it easy to stay.

---

Across the city, Ethan sat in a board meeting.

He hadn't heard a single word for the last ten minutes.

His phone lay face down beside him.

He had told himself he wouldn't check it.

He checked it anyway.

Nothing.

He put it down.

A few seconds later, he picked it up again.

Daniel noticed.

“Sir.”

Ethan looked up.

“What?”

“You're supposed to be approving the acquisition.”

Ethan glanced at the documents.

“Right.”

Daniel almost smiled.

“Are you thinking about Mia?”

Ethan's expression hardened.

“No.”

Daniel stared at him.

Ethan sighed.

“Yes.”

The board members exchanged confused looks.

Ethan ignored them.

“Continue.”

Daniel did.

But Ethan's mind remained elsewhere.

He wondered if Mia was smiling.

If Ryan had made her laugh.

If she was happy.

Then the thought struck him.

Maybe she was happier without him.

And perhaps that was what he deserved.

---

Mia and Ryan took a walk beside the lake after lunch.

The breeze lifted her hair.

Ryan noticed and smiled.

“You look happier.”

“I feel happier.”

“Good.”

They continued walking.

Then Ryan stopped.

Mia turned.

“What?”

He looked at her seriously.

“I want to ask you something.”

She waited.

“Would you let me court you?”

Mia blinked.

“Court me?”

“Yes.”

“Ryan, we're already on a date.”

“I know.”

He smiled.

“But I don't want to assume anything.”

He took a small step closer.

“I want to do this properly.”

Mia looked into his eyes.

“What if I'm not ready?”

“I'll wait.”

“What if I never choose you?”

His expression softened.

“Then I'll accept it.”

Mia's heart tightened.

“What if I choose Ethan?”

Ryan was silent for a moment.

Then he said,

“It will hurt.”

He smiled sadly.

“But I won't hate you for it.”

Mia looked down.

Nobody had ever given her that kind of freedom.

Not even Ethan.

“Ryan…”

“You don't have to answer today.”

He gently touched her hand.

“Just let me show you what being loved properly feels like.”

Mia looked at their joined hands.

She didn't pull away.

---

That evening, when Mia returned home, she found Ethan standing outside her apartment.

She stopped immediately.

“What are you doing here?”

He looked at her.

“Waiting.”

“For what?”

“To make sure you got home safely.”

Mia frowned.

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you here?”

Ethan looked at her for a long moment.

“Because I missed you.”

Her heart skipped.

He continued before she could respond.

“But I'm not here to ask you about the date.”

Mia's shoulders relaxed slightly.

“Good.”

“I hope you had a good time.”

She looked at him suspiciously.

“I did.”

“I'm glad.”

His voice was sincere.

No anger.

No accusation.

No jealousy.

At least, none that he showed.

Mia studied him.

“That's all?”

“Yes.”

She couldn't help asking.

“You're not angry?”

Ethan gave a faint smile.

“I'm jealous.”

She almost smiled.

“But I'm trying to learn the difference between being jealous and having the right to interfere.”

Mia stared at him.

“And?”

“And I have no right.”

Something inside her softened.

Ethan reached into his pocket.

He pulled out a small velvet box.

Mia immediately stiffened.

“What is that?”

“Don't worry.”

He opened it.

Inside was her wedding ring.

The ring she had left behind when she walked out of the Carter mansion.

Mia's breath caught.

“I thought you kept it.”

“I did.”

“Why are you giving it to me?”

Ethan looked down at it.

“Because it belongs to you.”

He held out the box.

“But I'm not asking you to wear it.”

Mia looked at him.

“Then why?”

“Because I don't want you to think I'm keeping a piece of you locked away somewhere.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“I loved you so much.”

Ethan's face tightened.

“I know.”

“No.”

She shook her head.

“You didn't.”

He looked at her.

“I loved you enough to keep trying even when you didn't love me back.”

His eyes became glassy.

“And I didn't understand how much that cost you.”

Mia wiped away a tear.

“I can't forget what happened.”

“I don't want you to.”

She looked at him in surprise.

Ethan continued.

“If you forget, you might trust me too easily.”

He closed the box.

“I want you to remember everything I did wrong.”

“Why?”

“So if you ever give me another chance, I'll spend the rest of my life making sure I never become that man again.”

Mia couldn't speak.

Ethan placed the box on the small table beside the door.

Then he turned to leave.

“Ethan.”

He stopped.

She hesitated.

“Thank you.”

He looked back.

A small smile appeared on his face.

“You're welcome.”

He walked away.

Mia watched him until he disappeared.

Then she picked up the velvet box.

Her fingers trembled as she opened it.

The ring was exactly where she had left it.

But this time, there was something different.

A small note had been placed beneath it.

She unfolded it.

Only four words were written.

I choose you. Always.

Mia's eyes filled with tears.

She closed the box against her chest.

Because she knew something she hadn't wanted to admit.

Ryan was making her feel safe.

But Ethan was still making her heart hurt.

And she didn't know which feeling would win.