Semua Bab Her last name, His claim: Bab 41 - Bab 45

The text came on a Tuesday morning while I was shelving books in the children's section.Enzo: Come to New York with me this weekend.I stared at my phone, my heart doing that annoying flutter thing it had been doing a lot lately.Me: For what?Enzo: I want to show you something.Me: That's vague.Enzo: Wayne Industries. My office. The place I've been spending all my time for the past five years. I want you to see what I built.I leaned against the bookshelf, processing.He wanted me to see his world. The life he'd created when I wasn't in it.Me: I don't know...Enzo: Please. It's important to me.Me: Why?Enzo: Because you're part of it. You've always been part of it. Even when you weren't there.My chest tightened.Me: Okay.Enzo: Yeah?Me: Yeah. When do we leave?Enzo: Friday afternoon. Pack for the weekend.Me: Enzo, I can't just take off workEnzo: Yes, you can. When's the last time you took a day off?He had a point. I couldn't remember the last time I'd taken more than a sick

When we got back to the apartment, I still could not get over how massive it was. It was stunning, and expensive obviously. Every surface shined, marble countertops, hardwood floors,exquisite furniture but it felt empty.Not physically, there was plenty of furniture. Art on the walls. A kitchen that belonged in a design magazine, but it felt like a showroom. Like no one actually existed here."Enzo," I breathed, walking toward the windows. "This is insane."He came up behind me, close enough that I could feel his warmth. "Do you like it?.""It's beautiful.""It's lonely." His voice was quiet. "I thought having a place like this would make me feel successful. Like I'd finally made it. But every night I came home to this view, this space, and all I could think was that it meant nothing without you here."I turned to face him. "Enzo…""I bought this thinking you'd be here with me someday." His eyes held mine. "I picked the apartment because it has a terrace. Because I remembered how you

I ignored his calls for two days. And yes, I knew I was being irrational at that point but I just didn’t care. How could he do that?Every time my phone lit up with his name, I felt my chest tighten. Part of me wanted to answer. Hear his voice, let him explain, maybe even forgive him.But the other part, the stubborn, hurt part needed him to sit with what he'd done.The girls rallied around me like they always did. They were at my apartment Wednesday night with wine, takeout, and the kind of honest conversation that only happened when someone was spiraling."Okay," Judy said, settling onto my couch with her second glass of wine. "Devil's advocate time.""Oh God," Olive muttered."What?" Judy looked offended. "Someone has to say it.""Say what?" I asked."That maybe, just maybe, you're being a little bit unreasonable."I stared at her. "Excuse me?""Hear me out." She held up her hands defensively. "He practically paid your rent for five years. He made sure you had a safe place to live