Chapter 17

Mia barely slept.

The two messages remained on her phone.

Ryan's simple goodnight.

Ethan's quiet wish that tomorrow would be easier.

And beside them sat the anonymous card.

Choose the one who has never lied to you.

She hated the card.

Not because the words were completely wrong, but because they made her question everything.

By morning, Mia had made a decision.

She wasn't going to choose either man yet.

She needed answers first.

She called Ryan.

“Can we meet?”

There was no hesitation.

“Of course.”

“Somewhere private.”

“I know a place.”

An hour later, they sat in a quiet café away from the business district.

Ryan looked concerned.

“You didn't sleep.”

“Neither did you?”

He smiled faintly.

“I was worried about you.”

Mia placed her phone on the table.

“I need to ask you something.”

“Ask.”

“Have you ever hidden anything from me?”

Ryan stared at her.

“No.”

“Not even something you thought would hurt me?”

He paused.

Then he said, “There is one thing.”

Mia's heart sank.

“What?”

Ryan leaned back.

“I knew Ethan was married to you before I ever told you how I felt.”

“I know.”

“But I never told you how long I've loved you.”

Mia frowned.

“How long?”

“Before you married him.”

She stared at him.

Ryan gave a small, sad smile.

“I was going to tell you.”

“Why didn't you?”

“Because you were happy.”

Mia almost laughed.

“I wasn't.”

“I didn't know that.”

He looked down at his hands.

“When you married Ethan, I thought I had lost my chance. So I stayed away.”

Mia's heart softened.

“And when did that change?”

“When I saw what he was doing to you.”

She looked at him.

“I didn't approach you because someone paid me.”

“I know.”

“I approached you because I couldn't keep watching you believe you deserved so little.”

Mia's eyes filled with tears.

Ryan reached across the table.

“You don't have to choose me today.”

She looked at his hand.

Then placed hers in it.

“I don't know what I feel anymore.”

“You don't have to know.”

“But I don't want to hurt you.”

“You're not responsible for protecting me from your feelings.”

Mia looked at him.

“Ryan…”

He squeezed her hand gently.

“Just be honest with me.”

She nodded.

For the first time since the divorce, Mia felt like she could breathe.

Then her phone rang.

Ethan.

She answered.

“Hello?”

“Mia.”

His voice sounded tense.

“I found something.”

Her expression changed.

“What?”

“The payment to Ryan's company wasn't made by Ryan.”

She looked at Ryan.

“Then who made it?”

“I don't know yet.”

Ryan immediately leaned closer.

“But I found the account that received the money.”

“Whose account?”

Ethan was silent.

“Ethan?”

“It's connected to someone who works for you.”

Mia's heart dropped.

“My company?”

“Yes.”

Ryan frowned.

“Who?”

Ethan continued.

“Your financial manager.”

Mia froze.

“That can't be true.”

“I checked twice.”

“Maybe there's another explanation.”

“There could be.”

Ethan's voice softened.

“That's why I'm telling you to investigate before you accuse anyone.”

Mia looked at Ryan.

He nodded.

“He's right.”

She frowned.

“You're agreeing with him?”

Ryan shrugged.

“I don't care if it's Ethan or anyone else. We need the truth.”

Mia's chest tightened.

The two men who were fighting for her heart were standing on opposite sides of her life.

Yet both were telling her to protect herself.

She ended the call.

Ryan stood.

“Come on.”

“Where?”

“To your office.”

“You're coming with me?”

“If you want me to.”

Mia smiled faintly.

“I do.”

They returned to her office.

Her financial manager, Lucas, was already there.

He stood when they entered.

“Ms. Bennett.”

Mia placed her bag on the desk.

“Lucas, I need you to explain something.”

His smile disappeared.

“What?”

“A payment was made to Anderson Holdings.”

Lucas went pale.

Ryan noticed.

Mia noticed too.

“Lucas?”

“I don't know anything about that.”

Ryan stepped forward.

“You look like you do.”

“I don't!”

Mia raised her hand.

“Ryan.”

He stopped.

Mia looked at Lucas.

“Did you authorize a transfer?”

“No.”

“Did you have access to the company account?”

“Yes, but only for normal expenses.”

“Then show me the records.”

Lucas hesitated.

That hesitation was enough.

Mia's heart sank.

“Lucas.”

“I can explain.”

Ryan's expression hardened.

“Then explain.”

Lucas looked between them.

Finally, he whispered,

“I didn't make the payment.”

“Then who did?”

Lucas swallowed.

“Someone used my credentials.”

Mia stared at him.

“Who?”

“I don't know.”

Ryan shook his head.

“That sounds convenient.”

Lucas suddenly pulled out his phone.

“I have proof.”

He opened an email.

Mia took the phone.

The message was short.

Keep Mia close. Don't let her trust Ethan again.

Her blood ran cold.

“Who sent this?”

Lucas shook his head.

“It came from an encrypted address.”

Ryan leaned over her shoulder.

“What did they want?”

Lucas looked terrified.

“They said if I refused, they'd destroy my family.”

Mia's face went pale.

She slowly handed the phone back.

This was no longer about Ryan.

Someone had been manipulating people around her.

Someone wanted her to distrust Ethan.

Someone wanted her to trust Ryan.

Or perhaps wanted her to distrust both of them.

Mia turned toward Ryan.

“I'm sorry.”

“For what?”

“For doubting you.”

Ryan stepped closer.

“You had every reason to doubt everyone.”

She looked into his eyes.

“And you still want me?”

His expression softened.

“More than ever.”

Mia's eyes filled with tears.

Ryan gently wiped one away.

“I won't ask you to choose me today.”

She whispered, “Why are you so patient?”

“Because when you finally choose me, I want to know you chose me because you love me.”

Mia's heart skipped.

She leaned closer.

Their faces were inches apart.

Then she stopped.

“I can't.”

Ryan nodded.

“It's okay.”

“I want to.”

“I know.”

“But Ethan…”

Ryan's jaw tightened briefly.

Then he smiled sadly.

“You still love him.”

Mia closed her eyes.

“Yes.”

The admission hurt.

But it was honest.

Ryan stepped back.

“Then don't lie to yourself for me.”

Mia looked at him.

He picked up his jacket.

“I'll wait.”

He walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he turned around.

“But Mia?”

“Yes?”

“Don't choose Ethan because you feel sorry for him.”

She stared at him.

“And don't choose me because I'm easier.”

Then he left.

Mia stood alone.

Her heart felt torn in two.

That evening, she received another message.

This time there was no anonymous card.

Only one sentence.

“Ask Ethan what happened the night your mother died.”

Mia's blood ran cold.

She stared at the screen.

She had promised herself she wouldn't let the past control her future.

But now the past was standing directly between her and the two men she loved.

And she knew exactly who she needed to confront.

Ethan.