All Chapters of Ruin me, Gently : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

ISABELLE“Did Aurora say anything to you?” I held his gaze, watching for the thing people reveal before they can stop themselves. I didn’t trust his words. I wasn’t sure I trusted his intentions either.Dave frowned slightly. “About your mom? I already told you everything—”“Not about her.” I kept my voice level. “I didn’t do anything to make Aurora take down those photos, and I don’t trust her silence. And now you showing up here…” I let the sentence sit unfinished. “I’m not sure I see much difference between the two of you right now.”The hurt that moved through his face was real. I could see that much.“I had nothing to do with any of that,” he said. “She made those choices on her own. The whole situation, everything that has happened, has made her uncomfortable. She’s angry, yes. But she promised me she’s done with social media. She won’t say anything.”“Is that all?”He hesitated just a fraction too long.“You and Aurora know something I don’t,” he said, his eyes narrowing slight

MATTEO I pulled into the hospital parking lot and sat there for a moment, engine idling.What the hell are you doing?I didn’t have an answer. Just a pull in my chest that had gotten stronger with every mile I’d driven.I grabbed a baseball cap from the backseat. Not much of a disguise, but enough to avoid immediate recognition, and I pulled it low over my eyes before stepping out of the car.The hospital entrance was busy. Visitors coming and going. Doctors in scrubs. Nurses with clipboards.I kept my head down and walked through the automatic doors.The woman at the information desk barely looked up when I approached.“I’m looking for Marie Thompson,” I said, keeping my voice low.She typed something into her computer. “Third floor. Room 312. Elevator’s down the hall to your right.”I nodded and walked away before she could look at me too closely.The elevator ride up felt like it took forever. When the doors finally opened on the third floor, I stepped out into a quiet hallway.Ro

MATTEO“Any update from Brennan?” I asked Charles as we descended the steps of the jet. He fell into stride beside me once we cleared the aircraft.“Marie Thompson is stable. She was transferred to the private suite at 11 PM. Both daughters stayed overnight. Dr. Brennan reports excellent progress. She is expected to make full recovery.”I heaved a deep sigh I had no idea I was holding in. I was so blinded by the tears seen in Isabelle’s eyes earlier that I found it difficult to shut my eyes even for a moment.Glad to hear Marie is out of danger.“Hope I’m still kept anonymous?” I glanced at Charles as we approached the waiting car.“They are suspicious to know who’s behind it all, but Brennan didn’t reveal.”I nodded. I know Bella was smart enough when it comes to putting things together; she might be suspicious, but I would rather it remain that way.Charles opened the rear door. I thanked him and settled in. He took the front seat beside the driver, and the car pulled away.I leaned

MATTEO “I’m not joking, Sheila. Get out of my room. Now.”“Don’t be like that.” She stood slowly, the silk robe shifting with her movements.“I came all this way. Your mother was kind enough to invite me when she heard I was in Europe—”“My mother doesn’t know better,” I cut her off, my voice ice.“But you do. I told you at the gala to stay away from me. I meant it.”“You were upset that night,” she said, taking a step toward me. “I caught you off guard. But Matt, it’s been long enough. Don’t you think we should talk? Really talk?”“There’s nothing to talk about.”“Isn’t there?” Another step closer. “We have history. A connection. Something that binds us together, whether you want to admit it or not.”My jaw clenched so hard it hurt. “We have nothing.”“That’s not true.” Her voice softened, becoming almost tender. “What we shared—what we went through together—that doesn’t just disappear. You can’t erase it. You can’t erase me.”“Watch me.”She flinched slightly, but recovered quickly

MATTEOThe ceremony began right on time.I sat in my newly assigned seat—aisle side, second row, as far from Sheila as they could reasonably place me without it being obvious.The pavilion had filled completely. Every seat taken. Soft music playing. The officiant standing at the front with Lisa’s soon-to-be husband, both of them looking nervous and happy.I tried to focus on that. On Lisa. On why I was here.But I couldn’t stop noticing the distance.The way my cousins had greeted me, polite but cool. Brief handshakes instead of genuine warmth.I’d kept them all at arm’s length for years. Declined invitations. Missed gatherings. Built walls so high that even families eventually stopped trying to climb them.This was the result.The music changed.Everyone stood.And my father appeared at the back of the pavilion, Lisa on his arm.She looked radiant. Happy. Every inch the beautiful bride.And he looked proud. Emotional. Like this was the greatest honor of his life.My jaw clenched.The