Chapter 15

Mia barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Ryan's face when he kissed her.

Then Ethan's face appeared.

His jealousy.

His restraint.

The way he had looked at her as if he were trying to memorize someone he had once taken for granted.

Mia turned onto her side and stared at the ceiling.

She hated that Ethan still had the power to confuse her.

She hated even more that a part of her still cared.

Her phone vibrated.

A message from Ryan.

Ryan: Good morning. No pressure today. Just wanted to know you got home safely.

Mia smiled faintly.

Ryan never demanded anything from her.

He never made her feel guilty for being confused.

He simply stayed.

She typed a reply.

Mia: Good morning. I got home safely. Thank you.

Before she could put her phone down, another message appeared.

This time, it was from Ethan.

Ethan: I hope you slept well.

Mia stared at it.

That was all.

No questions.

No accusations.

No mention of Ryan.

Six months ago, Ethan would have demanded to know where she had been.

Now he was asking if she had slept well.

She didn't know what to make of the change.

She left the message unanswered.

By ten o'clock, Mia was at her office.

Her business was finally beginning to grow.

There were still problems, but for the first time in years, she was building something that belonged entirely to her.

Ryan arrived carrying two cups of coffee.

“One for you,” he said.

Mia accepted it. “You remembered my order.”

“I remember everything about you.”

She laughed softly.

Ryan's expression became serious.

“Mia.”

She looked at him.

“I meant what I said last night. I want to court you properly.”

Her smile disappeared.

“Ryan…”

“I know you're still dealing with Ethan.”

“I don't want to hurt you.”

“You won't.” He paused. “Not if you're honest with me.”

Mia lowered her eyes.

“I still have feelings for him.”

Ryan was silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

“I know.”

She looked up.

“You know?”

“I've known from the beginning.”

“Then why are you still here?”

Ryan stepped closer.

“Because feelings aren't the same as a decision.”

His words settled heavily inside her.

“I don't want to be your escape from Ethan,” he continued. “I want to be the man you choose when you no longer feel like you need to escape anyone.”

Mia's eyes softened.

“Ryan…”

He smiled.

“Take your time.”

Before she could answer, her assistant knocked.

“Ms. Bennett, there's someone here to see you.”

“Who?”

The assistant hesitated.

“Mr. Carter.”

Mia's heart skipped.

Ryan's expression changed, but he didn't move.

“Should I leave?” he asked.

Mia looked toward the door.

Then back at Ryan.

“No.”

The door opened.

Ethan walked inside.

He stopped when he saw Ryan standing beside Mia.

For a second, jealousy flashed across his face.

But he controlled it.

“I came to return something.”

He placed a small box on Mia's desk.

Mia frowned.

“What is that?”

“Your bracelet.”

She opened the box.

Her old bracelet rested inside.

It was the one Ethan had given her on their first anniversary.

She remembered that night.

She had spent hours choosing his gift.

He had arrived three hours late.

She had smiled anyway.

Now the memory hurt.

“You kept this?”

Ethan looked at her.

“You left it in the mansion.”

Mia closed the box.

“You could have sent it.”

“I could have.”

“Then why didn't you?”

His eyes met hers.

“Because I wanted to give it back myself.”

Ryan folded his arms.

Ethan noticed.

“I won't stay long,” he said.

Mia looked at him.

“Why are you really here?”

Ethan took a breath.

“To apologize.”

Mia almost laughed.

“You've apologized before.”

“I know.”

“And?”

“This time I don't want anything from you.”

She studied him.

Ethan continued.

“I know you kissed Ryan.”

Mia's face stiffened.

Ryan's jaw tightened.

Ethan lifted a hand.

“I'm not here to complain.”

He looked at Mia.

“I was jealous. I hated seeing another man touch you. But that jealousy doesn't give me any right to control you.”

Mia said nothing.

“I spent two years acting like your love was guaranteed,” Ethan continued. “I thought you would always be waiting for me.”

His voice became quieter.

“I was wrong.”

Mia's fingers tightened around the bracelet box.

“You hurt me.”

“I know.”

“You embarrassed me.”

“I know.”

“You believed another woman over your wife.”

Ethan swallowed.

“I know.”

“You made me feel like I wasn't enough.”

His eyes became glassy.

“You were always enough.”

Mia's breath caught.

“Then why didn't you treat me like I was?”

Ethan had no answer.

And somehow, that silence hurt more than an excuse would have.

Finally, he said, “Because I was selfish.”

Mia looked away.

“I don't want your apology to become another reason for me to feel guilty.”

“It won't.”

“I don't want you waiting for me forever either.”

“I'll decide when I'm done waiting.”

She looked at him.

“Ethan…”

“I won't interfere with Ryan.”

Ryan glanced at him.

Ethan continued.

“If he makes you happy, I'll accept that.”

Those words surprised Mia.

The old Ethan would have fought.

He would have used money, power, or influence.

But this Ethan simply stood there.

Broken.

Proud.

And willing to lose.

He turned toward the door.

Then stopped.

“Mia.”

She looked at him.

“I loved you badly.”

His voice cracked.

“But I loved you.”

He gave her a painful smile.

“I wish I had learned how to love you before I lost you.”

Then he walked out.

The door closed behind him.

Mia stood completely still.

Ryan didn't speak immediately.

After a moment, he said quietly, “He's changing.”

Mia nodded.

“I know.”

Ryan looked at her.

“And that's what scares you.”

Mia's eyes filled with tears.

“Yes.”

Because for the first time, Ethan wasn't chasing her with money.

He wasn't demanding her forgiveness.

He wasn't trying to take her away from Ryan.

He was simply becoming the man she had once begged him to be.

And Mia didn't know what was more dangerous—

falling in love with Ethan again…

or realizing she had already started to.

Her phone suddenly rang.

It was Ethan.

Mia stared at the screen.

She almost ignored it.

Then she answered.

“Hello?”

Ethan's voice came quietly.

“Mia, there's something you need to know.”

Her heart tightened.

“What?”

“I just found out that someone has been paying Ryan's company to get close to you.”

Mia froze.

Ryan's face changed.

Ethan continued.

“And the money is coming from someone inside my family.”

The call went silent.

Mia slowly looked at Ryan.

Ryan looked just as shocked.

Then Ethan said the words that made her blood run cold.

“I'm afraid this isn't just about our marriage anymore.”