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All Chapters of Ruin me, Gently : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

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Chapter 31

ISABELLE. The silence that followed Matt’s question felt endless.I stared at him across the room, my mind racing through calculations, timelines, possibilities I didn’t want to consider. The weight of what we’d done—what we hadn’t done—settled over me like a heavy blanket.I guess this was one of the reasons I’d decided to abstain until marriage, and because of that, I’d been ignorant about the morning-after pill. Sage had mentioned it once, but it didn’t cross my mind again until now.My heart clenched at the thought of being pregnant with Matteo’s child. Yeah, having a baby was my dream, but him being the father? I wasn’t sure how to feel about that.“No,” I said finally, my voice steadier than I felt. “I’m not on the pill.”Matt’s expression didn’t change, but I saw his hand tighten briefly against the window frame. He exhaled slowly and deliberately, as if processing the information.“Okay,” he said after a moment.“Okay?” I repeated, ignoring my racing heart. Even though I was

Chapter 32

ISABELLE. Before I could process what was happening, Matteo was beside me, his hand gripping the back of my chair and spinning it to face him. I barely had time to set down my fork before he braced both hands on the armrests, caging me in.My breath caught.Matt leaned down until we were eye level, his face was inches from mine. This close, I could see the muscle ticking in his jaw, the way his pupils had blown wide, the barely controlled tension in his shoulders.“Last chance, Isabelle.” His voice was low and dangerous. “Stop playing games, or I’m going to show you exactly what happens when you push me too far.”My heart was hammering against my ribs. “I’m not—”“You are.” He cut me off, his gaze dropping to my mouth before snapping back up. “You’re sitting there in my shirt, eating the dinner I arranged for you, deliberately making those sounds, knowing exactly what it does to me.”“Maybe I just liked the food,” I said, but my voice came out breathier than I intended.“Liar!” One h

Chapter 33

ISABELLE.I gasped against Matteo’s mouth, and he took immediate advantage, his tongue sliding against mine with a skill that made my knees weak. This wasn’t like before—not careful, not controlled. This was raw, desperate, and absolutely consuming.My hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer even as he backed me up against the table. The edge hit the back of my thighs. I felt dishes shift behind me, but I didn’t care.Matt’s hand tightened in my hair, angling my head exactly where he wanted it as he deepened the kiss. His other hand slid from my hip to my ass, gripping hard enough, causing me to moan into his mouth.He pulled back just enough to look at me, both of us breathing hard. His lips were swollen, his eyes wild.“This is insane,” Matteo whispered, his forehead dropping to mine. “We just talked about this. About being responsible.”“I know.” My hands were already reaching for the waistband of his joggers. My body had made its decision, consequences be damned.“Isabelle—”

Chapter 34

ISABELLE. Reality came crashing back in waves.We’d just done it again. Unprotected. Fully aware of the risk this time. No excuses about being caught up in the moment or not thinking clearly.I looked down at myself—shirt bunched around my waist, legs still spread, sitting on his dining table with evidence of what we’d just done already starting to leak out of me. The picture of debauchery.“I should—” I gestured vaguely at myself.“Bathroom is through there.” Matt pointed to a door off the kitchen, already tucking himself back into his joggers. His hair was a mess, his chest still heaving, but otherwise he looked remarkably composed.How did he do that?I slid off the table on shaky legs and limped my way to the bathroom, acutely aware of his eyes following me. Once inside, I cleaned myself up as best I could, trying not to think about what we’d just done, and whether we had just potentially made things worse.When I emerged, Matt was crouched near the table, sweeping broken dishes

Chapter 35

ISABELLE I stared at Matt for a while as words failed me. Mama always says she’s never met someone as stubborn as I am. But this man, right before me, was something else entirely.“Your level of confidence is admirable,” I said carefully. “And I trace it to the fact that you’re used to getting what you want.”“That would be accurate.” His eyes darkened as they traveled over me. “I’ve studied your body, Isabelle. I see the way it yearns for me.”Heat flooded my cheeks, but I refused to look away.“And being a businessman has taught me that most good things in life aren’t easy to get. I’m not immune to challenges, so here I am.”He leaned forward, his expression unreadable. “I don’t know why, but I get the feeling you didn’t read through the whole thing. But we can always iron out whatever terms you aren’t comfortable with.”“What would you have done if my engagement with Dave had worked out?” The question escaped before I could stop it.Matt stared at me intently, almost as though the

Chapter 36

ISABELLE It was difficult to tell who commanded more attention during my presentation at the meeting. Me or my blazer.There were about ten of us seated around the round table. Some looks were ones of admiration. Enrico threw me a knowing smile at intervals, which Rachel caught, causing her to shoot subtle glares in my direction.Despite my presentation being the shortest, I couldn’t wait to get back to my seat — and even then, the stares just wouldn’t stop. If only I could get my hands on Matt right now. Then again, could I really blame him? I was the one who’d grabbed the blazer without so much as a second glance this morning.After what felt like forever, the meeting finally came to an end. I grabbed my iPad and was the first to slip out of the room. I had no idea when my colleagues had all become fashion connoisseurs, sharp enough to spot what was real and what wasn’t.I heaved a deep sigh the moment I stepped into my office and shut the door behind me. I rushed to my desk, snatc

Chapter 37

ISABELLE I couldn’t help with the laughter that escaped me. Indeed, my life was a movie. If only Sage were here to experience this with me. I was the one who had been dumped, abandoned, hurt, and betrayed – and yet, here was my ex, challenging me for running off with another man.“Doesn’t that make us even?” I mocked.“You were seeing another man while we were together?” The pain in his eyes resurfaced, raw and lingering.I shrugged as though it were nothing. “At least he didn’t knock me up. Which makes me far better than you.”“You’re not saying that just to get a rise out of me, are you?” Dave could no longer contain his anger; his jaw tightened as he spoke through gritted teeth.“You’ve always been a selfish bastard. I can’t believe it took me years to see it. You’re getting married in a matter of weeks, and yet here you are, demanding answers like you still have some claims over me.”“Am I not free to feel things? You can move on and live happily ever after, but I’m not entitled

Chapter 38

ISABELLEI stared at Dave for a long moment, letting the question hang in the air between us.Bastard?“Everything you never could,” I said finally, my voice flat. “He made me feel things I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling.”Dave’s face crumpled, but I wasn’t done.“You want to know what he’s done to me? He made me realize that what we had” I gestured between us with my eyes, “wasn’t even close to what I deserved. That I had been settling for someone who couldn’t even stay faithful.”I pulled my hand free from Dave’s grip and took a step back.For years, I’d built my life around this man. Planned a future. Believed in promises that turned out to be worthless. And now, standing here in this parking lot, I realized I didn’t feel anything for him anymore. Not love. Not even hate or rage for what he’d done.Just… nothing.“You asked what he has done to me?” I met his eyes one last time. “He helped me forget you ever mattered.”I turned toward my car.“Isabelle, wait—”“Go home to

Chapter 39

ISABELLEI absentmindedly brought my hand up to the glass cup in front of me and ran my fingers along its rim. The kitchen suddenly felt smaller, more intimate – nowhere to hide from my sister’s perceptive gaze.“How do you feel about it?” Sage’s voice finally coaxed me into meeting her eyes.“I’m not asking how the sex was,” She added gently. “ I just want to know what’s going on in your head right now.”I parted my lips to say something, then gave up and shrugged.“I don’t think I know who I am anymore, or what I’m doing.”I exhaled slowly, “I was never supposed to see him again after that night. But he appeared, saved me from Aurora, and before I knew it, we were in his home, giving in to everything I swore I wouldn’t. I guess I’m not so different from my ex after all.”“You’re nothing like your ex,” Sage said firmly. “Him coming back for you means something.”She meant Matt.“Yeah. I made a promise to show up at an event, and then I ditched him.”A look of realization crossed her

Chapter 40

MATTEO“She’s not my girlfriend,” I said, forcing my voice to stay level. “She’s just someone I’m seeing casually.”Sammie’s grin widened. “Casually? Matt, you never bring casual hookups to your house. What’s different about her?”Everything, my mind supplied immediately. Everything about her is different.But I couldn’t say that. Wouldn’t.“Nothing,” I said instead. “There’s nothing different. And I’m not bringing anyone to the wedding.”Sammie opened her mouth, clearly ready to argue, but I cut her off.“Don’t you have a dress fitting or some wedding planning to get to? Why are you here, interrogating me instead of helping Lisa?”“Everything is all set for the wedding — except you.” She softened slightly. “We want you there. I can see how much Lisa wants it, and that’s why I stopped by this morning. To convince you.”She paused, tilting her head. “But then I saw her drive out. She looked mad. Mad, but cute.” A small smile played at the corner of her lips. “No one ever gets mad at Ma

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