Chapter 16

Mia stared at the phone in her hand.

“Ethan, what exactly are you saying?”

There was silence on the other end.

“I’m saying someone transferred money to a company connected to Ryan,” Ethan replied. “The payment was made months ago.”

Ryan's expression hardened.

“Put him on speaker.”

Mia hesitated before doing it.

“Ryan is here.”

“I know,” Ethan said.

Ryan stepped closer to the phone.

“What payment?”

“A transfer was made to Anderson Holdings through a private investment account.”

Ryan frowned.

“That means nothing. Anderson Holdings has hundreds of investors.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you calling Mia?”

“Because the investor specifically requested information about Mia.”

Ryan's face changed.

“What information?”

“Her business. Her schedule. Her meetings. Her relationship with me.”

Mia's stomach twisted.

Ryan immediately shook his head.

“I didn't know anything about that.”

Ethan's voice remained calm.

“I didn't say you did.”

Ryan looked at Mia.

“You believe him?”

Mia didn't answer.

That silence hurt Ryan.

He stepped back.

“Mia.”

She looked at him.

“I don't know what to believe right now.”

Ryan's expression fell.

“After everything I've done for you?”

“I know.”

“Then why are you looking at me like I'm a stranger?”

“Because I don't understand what's happening.”

Ryan ran a hand through his hair.

“Neither do I.”

Mia ended the call.

For several seconds, neither she nor Ryan spoke.

Finally, Ryan said, “Ask me anything.”

Mia swallowed.

“Did you approach me because you were paid?”

His face immediately tightened.

“No.”

“Did anyone ask you to get close to me?”

“No.”

“Have you ever accepted money from anyone connected to the Carter family?”

Ryan shook his head.

“Not for you.”

The way he emphasized the last two words made Mia's heart ache.

Ryan took a breath.

“I knew you before Ethan ever noticed me. I cared about you before your marriage fell apart.”

Mia looked away.

“I know.”

“I didn't need anyone to pay me to care about you.”

His voice broke slightly.

“I stayed because I wanted you.”

Mia's eyes filled with tears.

Ryan moved closer but stopped before touching her.

“I know you're scared.”

“I am.”

“You've been betrayed enough.”

“Yes.”

“And now you're wondering whether I'm another person who has been lying to you.”

Mia nodded.

Ryan looked devastated.

“I won't ask you to trust me blindly.”

He reached into his pocket and placed his phone on her desk.

“Go through it.”

Mia looked at him.

“What?”

“Messages. Emails. Accounts. Everything.”

“Ryan…”

“If you find anything that proves I lied to you, I'll walk away.”

She stared at the phone.

“You don't have to do this.”

“I do.”

He pushed the phone closer.

“Because I don't want to win you by asking you to ignore your doubts.”

Mia's eyes filled with tears.

She didn't touch the phone.

Instead, she whispered, “I'm sorry.”

Ryan smiled sadly.

“You don't have to apologize for being afraid.”

He picked up his jacket.

“I'll give you space.”

He turned toward the door.

“Ryan.”

He stopped.

Mia stood.

“I believe you.”

He slowly turned around.

“But I need time.”

“I'll give you time.”

“And I don't want you to leave.”

His eyes softened.

“I wasn't planning to.”

He walked back to her.

For a moment, neither moved.

Then Ryan gently took her hand.

“I meant what I said yesterday.”

“What?”

“I don't want to be the man you use to forget Ethan.”

Mia looked into his eyes.

“I don't want that either.”

“Then let me be the man you choose when you're ready.”

She nodded.

Ryan kissed her forehead and left.

The moment the door closed, Mia sat down.

She stared at the phone Ryan had left behind.

For the first time, she understood something.

Love wasn't simple anymore.

Ethan had once been the only man she could imagine loving.

Now Ryan had become the man who made her feel safe.

And Ethan was becoming the man who was finally learning how badly he had hurt her.

Her phone rang again.

Ethan.

She answered.

“Did you find anything?”

“No.”

“Did Ryan admit anything?”

“He didn't need to.”

Ethan went silent.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I believe him.”

Another silence.

Then Ethan said, “Good.”

Mia frowned.

“You're not angry?”

“I have no right to be.”

“Ethan…”

“I told you I wouldn't interfere.”

His voice was quiet.

“But that doesn't mean this doesn't hurt.”

Mia closed her eyes.

“I'm sorry.”

“Don't be.”

“I don't want to hurt you.”

“You already did.”

She winced.

Then Ethan quickly added, “And I deserved it.”

Mia didn't know what to say.

Ethan continued.

“I spent years making you feel like you had to compete for my attention.”

He took a slow breath.

“Now I'm the one watching another man give you everything I should have given you.”

Her heart tightened.

“Ethan…”

“I won't ask you to choose me today.”

“Why?”

“Because you deserve to choose without being pressured.”

Mia's eyes filled with tears.

“Then what are you going to do?”

“I'll keep proving that I'm different.”

“How?”

“By staying.”

She frowned.

“Even if I choose Ryan?”

“Yes.”

“That will hurt.”

“I know.”

“You might lose me.”

“I know.”

His voice became almost a whisper.

“But loving you now means accepting that you are free to choose someone else.”

Mia covered her mouth.

The old Ethan would never have said those words.

The old Ethan would have demanded.

This Ethan was letting her go.

And somehow, that made her heart ache more.

That evening, Mia left the office alone.

She didn't notice the black car parked across the street.

Ethan sat inside.

Daniel glanced at him.

“Are you going to follow her?”

“No.”

“You're sure?”

Ethan looked through the window as Mia entered her car.

“She doesn't need another man controlling where she goes.”

Daniel nodded.

Ethan watched until her car disappeared.

Then he leaned back.

“Find out who made that payment.”

Daniel hesitated.

“You really think Ryan is innocent?”

“I don't know.”

“Then why are you protecting him?”

Ethan's jaw tightened.

“I'm not protecting Ryan.”

He looked toward the empty road.

“I'm protecting Mia from making a decision based on another lie.”

Daniel said nothing.

Ethan closed his eyes.

For the first time, he understood something painful.

Winning Mia back wasn't about defeating Ryan.

It wasn't about proving he was richer, more powerful, or more deserving.

It was about becoming someone Mia could trust again.

Even if she eventually chose another man.

Meanwhile, Mia arrived home.

She opened her door and froze.

A bouquet of white roses sat on the table.

There was no name.

Only a small card.

She picked it up.

Her heart stopped when she read the message.

“I know you're trying to decide between two men. Don't choose the one who loves you the most. Choose the one who has never lied to you.”

Mia's hands began to tremble.

She looked around her empty apartment.

Then her phone buzzed.

A message from Ryan appeared.

Ryan: I'm home. Goodnight, Mia.

A second message followed.

From Ethan.

Ethan: Goodnight. I hope tomorrow is easier for you.

Mia stared at both messages.

Two men.

Two kinds of love.

And one impossible choice.

She slowly placed the card on the table.

For the first time, she wondered if she was ready to decide who truly deserved her heart.