All Chapters of After My Groom Betrayed Me, I Took His Best Man: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

RYANI woke up slow, the morning light cutting through the curtains in our bedroom. For a few seconds, everything was fine, the heavy sheets and the quiet peace of the house. Then it all rushed back.The dinner. The necklace. The kiss that didn't happen.I remembered standing behind Elowen, the heat between us, the silent tension that was so much better, so much realer, than any kiss. The memory of my stupid attempt at landing a kiss and how I just walked away from her, leaving her because my stupid heart couldn't bear to see her push me further away.Idiot. I felt a deep, slow burn of shame spread through my chest. I had been so close. I had finally broken through the fortress she kept around herself. I saw the look in her eyes, the need, the fear, the desire to let go and I ruined it. I chose a stupid physical desire over the genuine feelings the woman I was trying to build a real life with had finally let out. I pushed the heavy sheets off and swung my legs out of bed. I co

ELOWEN"Congratulations Mrs Sylvarn!" Sandra's voice filled the rented out restaurant, I and my players were occupying.The congratulations were loud, the wine was flowing, and the mood was perfect. We had closed the deal, the big one that cemented my mother company's place in the market. I should have been thrilled, I was thrilled but through the noise of the celebratory dinner with my team, all I could hear was a constant thought on my mind.I kept thinking about Ryan.I had replayed the scene in the kitchen over and over. The way he had stood so close, the quiet power in his eyes and the almost-kiss that felt more dangerous than any hug. Then the rush, the quick excuse I gave and the even quicker goodbye."I’m tied up all day, and tonight I’ll be out with the legal team to celebrate the closing."That’s what I’d told him. I had thrown him cold, professional words right back in the face. I had been perfect, I had been in control and I had shown him I didn't need him, that my d

ELOWENAs I woke up, a sharp pain in my neck and the sudden, awful loudness of the television, made my head ache. I blinked my eyes vigorously to keep out the bright, dramatic faces of the soap opera that was still on from last night, I shut them back.The colors were too bright, the loud acting was obviously too fake.Instinctively, I moved my hand around the area.I wasn’t in my bed. I stretched out on the long, soft couch structure.I must have fallen asleep in the living room. My whole body felt heavy and stiff.Like I had been avoiding locking eyes with one of the actors on the screen, I slowly opened my eyes and lifted my head to check what my hand was resting on. My hand was over the soft rug below the couch, just inches from her hand was an almost empty wine glass lying on its side. It was a miracle I hadn't knocked it over and stained the Persian rug.The sight of the wine glass brought back the memory of leaning against the kitchen counter, the smell of chicken, and the h

ELOWENI woke up with the feeling of a tied knot in my stomach and the strangely familiar silence of the house down on me. I went through my routine of getting ready: a quick, hot shower that did nothing to relax my muscles, and then the careful process of putting on my power suit for work.As I dressed, I looked out the glass window, the compound was empty as usual.A frustrated sigh escaped my lips.I realized how much I missed having someone around. Not just Ryan, but anyone. This house, this beautiful, felt impossibly large and empty. There was no one to ask, Did you sleep well? No one to argue with about the coffee brand with. Just the silence and my own tiring thoughts. I was surrounded by luxury, but I felt completely alone.I picked up my bag, checked my phone, still nothing from Ryan and walked towards the door. I was ready to plunge myself back into work, into the office I was getting really familiar with.My phone chimed with a notification: a notification I had set

ELOWENI pulled my pressed white shirt over my shoulders, and over my chest, buttoning it all the way up. I was ready for work, and anything else but the confusing mess of my personal life.If getting ready for work was a religion, I'd was a fanatic. It was slowly becoming my favourite routine for the day, after getting coffee."I do need coffee," I whispered to myself as I turned around in front of the large mirror. I grabbed my suit jacket and bag, heading out the door and down the stairs.The scent of ground coffee beans filled the kitchen as I poured the coffee, I inhaled shutting my eyes."Good day, Mrs Sylvarn," I snapped my eyes open and turned around. I smiled and nodded my head, refocusing on the coffee I was pouring."You know I could always make that for you ma'am," Alfred said, passing me the cream I kept on the counter as I reached for it."You basically do everything in this house." I chuckled and he smiled nodding."That's what I'm paid for, Mrs Sylvarn." He replied. I